The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons during a 12-month, rolling-year period.
- Eligibility for FMLA requires at least 12 months of state service, and at least 1,250 hours worked in the 12 months preceding the FMLA leave.
- FMLA can be taken for the birth of a child, adoption/foster care, the employee’s or an immediate family member's serious health condition, and exigency leave (covered family member active duty).
- A request for FMLA should be made 30 days in advance, when possible.
- Types of FMLA include Continuous, Intermittent and Reduced schedule.
How to apply:
You can apply for FMLA via the online FMLA Source portal, by email, or by calling the toll free phone number. It is important that you have your physician/provider information handy, including the fax number, when you are applying.
- Online portal/website: www.fmlasource.com (create a login using a personal email address. Click on "Request a New Leave". The application wizard will guide you through the steps to apply)
- FMLASource app: FMLASourceNow (download the app for free in your app store)
- Email: FMLACenter@fmlasource.com (when emailing to start a FMLA request, include your name, campus, employee id#, dates of leave requested, whether you need Continuous, Intermittent, or Reduced Schedule - indicate any applicable; provide doctor's/provider's information including their fax number.
- Phone: 877.462.3652 (24-hour automated phone system)
Before applying: if you need advisement or assistance, contact your campus HR Benefits Advisor if you need to consult about FMLA, how to apply, when to apply, what leave you can use, etc. Your Benefits Advisors are here to help you with your FMLA leave:
UNT: Rachel.Devries@untsystem.edu
UNT Dallas: Tina.Robinson@untsystem.edu
UNT Health Science Center and UNT System: Sarah.Blackwell@untsystem.edu
Types of FMLA Leave
Continuous: a continuous absence for an extended period as indicated by physician/provider on the Medical Certification form. Discuss with your provider and indicate the dates needed when you request FMLA.
Intermittent: intermittent absence for appointments, care, physical therapy, flare ups of a condition, etc. The provider will indicate on the Medical Certification form the frequency and duration of absence anticipated for this type of FMLA leave.
Reduced schedule: working a reduced schedule and on FMLA leave the remainder of the work day/work week.
FMLA for birth, adoption, foster care
The first six weeks of FMLA for birth, adoption, foster care the employee can use sick leave to cover absence. (For birth by c-section, eight weeks can be covered using sick leave). The second six weeks, which is considered baby/child bonding, sick leave can't be used (except for medical appointments or medical care) but vacation or other eligible leave such as comp time can be used.
Will my FMLA leave be paid or unpaid?
Whether your FMLA leave will be paid or unpaid depends on if you have enough eligible leave to cover your absence (sick leave, as applicable/covered by policy; other leave such as vacation if you run out of sick leave). Your campus HR Benefits Advisors will guide you on what leave you can use; we'll look at your balances with you and help you with this aspect of your FMLA - so please contact us if you need advisement.
Other resources
- FAQs - Provided by the Department of Labor (DOL)
- Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act provided by the DOL
- The Employee's Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act provided by the DOL
Manager FMLA Training from FMLA Source
View the FMLA Source Orientation for managers.
Employee FMLA Training
Family and Medical Leave Act Policies
Reporting suspected abuse/fraudulent FMLA claims
In situations of suspected abuse or fraud when anonymity is preferred, individuals may utilize the UNT System Compliance Trust Line to submit concerns in confidence. This reporting service is hosted by a third party provider, NAVEX Global, to help ensure anonymity. Individuals may also call 877.606.9187 to submit their concerns. In addition to the UNT System Compliance Trust Line, individuals may pursue another option for reporting suspected fraud, waste and abuse by contacting the Texas State Auditor's Office. The Texas State Auditor's Office telephone number is 1.800.TX.AUDIT (892-8348) and their website is https://sao.fraud.state.tx.us.
The UNT System Compliance Trust Line is in place to provide assurances that all individuals throughout UNT System are held to the highest standards of ethical behavior. Most importantly, this Trust Line is all about trust. In that light, the UNT System and its institutions do not tolerate retaliatory action toward individuals who in, good faith, report, seek guidance regarding compliance matters, or participate in any compliance related investigations. Any individuals found to have engaged in retaliation will be disciplined up to and including termination.
FMLA Source contact information
(FMLA Source is the vendor used by the UNT System campuses for FMLA requests)
- Online portal/website: www.fmlasource.com
- FMLASource app: FMLASourceNow
- Email: FMLACenter@fmlasource.com
- Phone: 877.462.3652 (24-hour automated phone system)
Fax number for your doctor's office to return completed Medical Certification forms is: 1.877.309.0218 (this information is on the forms that FMLA Source will fax to your doctor's office).