How many hours must an employee have worked in the last 12 months to qualify for FMLA leave?

To qualify for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, an employee must have worked a minimum of 1,250 hours during the 12-month period immediately preceding the start of the leave. This requirement ensures that employees have a significant attachment to their job and have been actively engaged in their work, which is in line with the purpose of the FMLA. This time can include hours worked, but does not count times of leave, such as vacation or sick leave.

The other choices suggest hours that exceed the actual requirement defined by the FMLA. Setting the threshold at 1,250 hours balances the need for job protection with the expectation that the employee has been actively working without setting an unattainable standard. This ensures that both employees and employers benefit from the provisions of the Act, facilitating a balance between work and personal health needs.