emergency medical leave for family member

[Paula M Abel]

state is washington I work for the dept of transportation marine division. I recently received a call that one of my nieces was in icu at a childrens hospital in portland. I called work to be covered to go see her. They told me that i could not go because they would have to pay overtime, and that she was not considered a contractual relative. Is she covered in anyway by the state or federal family leave act?

 

[enjay]

She would not be covered under the federal Family Medical Leave Act. The act covers immediate family and parents. The act also provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to CARE for a covered relative, not merely to visit one.

 

[cbg]

Enjay is correct. The circumstances you describe would not be covered under either Federal or state leave laws. Federal law covers your parents and your children only; Washington does not have a state law covering medical leave.

Your employer broke no laws. If you are working under an employment contract (possible if you are a government employee) check to see if your situation is covered under contract. If not, you're out of luck.