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The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was authored by Senator Chris Dodd and signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993. It is designed to acknowledge that employees have health concerns and other issues outside of work, and should be able to attend to those concerns without fear of losing their jobs. The law applies to all organizations with fifty or more employees and all government programs.

The FMLA guarantees qualified employees up to 12 weeks of medical leave per year (defined as a 12-month period beginning when the organization decides.) This time off does not need to be paid, but the employee does need to be guaranteed a job when they return to work. If the company is unable to keep the employee’s job unfilled for up to 12 weeks, they may offer the employee a different but equivalent job when he or she returns to work.

Qualified employees are those who have worked at least 1250 hours for the employer within the last twelve months. This means that part-time employees are generally not entitled to FMLA protection. In some states there are additional employment laws to protect part-time workers and others who may not be covered by the federal law. Other states, such as Texas, only enforce the federal law.

A person can take medical leave if they are experiencing and illness or injury that impairs their ability to do their job. An employee can also take medical leave if a family member is suffering from an ailment that requires the employee to take care of them. Adding a new child to the family, whether by birth or adoption/foster care, is also a valid reason to take time off from work. Women who have given birth are not the only ones entitled to time off to care for a newborn; fathers can also stay home for the first few months of their child’s life.

An employee does not need to take all 12 weeks offered at once. They can take multiple short periods of leave, or they can even work fewer hours per day for a limited amount of time. Some agencies require employees to use their vacation and sick leave before they can take medical leave.

If a person takes a temporary leave from work to serve the military, this is not taken from their FMLA time. Employees can only take a family or medical leave to care for members of their immediate family; a sick friend is not grounds for time off under the FMLA.

For more information about work-related legislation, contact Austin Family and Medical Leave Act attorneys Melton & Kumler.

Joseph Devine

Society has been fixated on weight loss products for a long time. With a higher number of people experiencing health concerns due to obesity and being overweight, the emphasis is much more targeted on helping people lose weight. But, what about the people who’s strongest desire is to gain weight?

Being underweight may be more common than you think. These individuals thrive to have a curvy body type. Just like those with issues of being overweight, people who are underweight often get teased and tormented about their inability to gain weight. Constantly being teased, coupled with bouts of low self esteem pushes them to seek desperate, unhealthy measures to gain weight. People with low weight issues should be aware that there are healthy ways to gain weight. Following, are three tips that show underweight individuals can gain weight the right way.

Free Weights

Lifting weight is the most important method to packing on healthy body mass and muscle size. One word of caution when listing weights is to be sure to learn proper form. Begin by incorporating exercises that will add more bulk to your lower and upper body such as squats, deadlifts, lateral raises, and push ups. For the best results, try to schedule resistance training into your workout routine 3-4 times per week. Some trainers will advise that you eliminate cardio, by only focusing on weights. However, cardio is known to have excellent affects on the body’s health. Performing cardio at low to moderate pace should not hinder your progress. But, remember to keep it low as high impact exercises such as running burns fat; quickly.

Healthy Foods

Loading up on fast food, junk food, and greasy, unsaturated foods is not the healthiest way to gain weight. In fact, these foods may be harmful to your health. To gain weight all you need to do is to add 500 more calories a day to your diet. Eating at least 3500 more calories a week in the form of healthy food choices should help add more weight to your frame.

Healthy foods include carbohydrates (simple or complex), protein, and healthy fats. Carbohydrates help your body to sustain proper energy and blood sugar levels. Consuming more protein is a good way to add extra calories. Lastly, you’ll want to eat as much healthy fats as you can until you reach your desired weight. Fats that contain omega -3 essential fatty acids are fish, flax, and walnuts are excellent choices for fats.

Supplements

If loading up on healthy food does not support your weight gain, supplements may do the trick. Certain supplements are created to help add bulk to your body. One well-known supplement product is Creatine. Creatine, a form of amino acids, is most widely used by bodybuilders to gain muscle mass and size. The supplement, glutamine is another source of healthy amino acids that may add on weight. Another supplement to add to your list is a good weight gainer that can be purchased from your local health food store. Weight gainers are high in calories, making it easier for you to reach your 3500 caloric increase easier.

Gaining weight doesn’t have to be difficult. Nor does gaining weight have to be unhealthy. Changing a few things in your diet, followed by a workout plan that incorporates free weights is all you’ll need to leave that underweight body behind. Good luck on starting your new diet and workout routine.

Are you looking for more way to gain weight or build muscle? Then check out some of the best foods that build muscle and information on muscle building.