It’s not lost on us that FML (don’t make us spell it out for you) is one letter shy of FMLA. Got a solid understanding of the first acronym but lacking clarity around the second? Gray Monster’s gotchu.
This week, we’re keeping the swearing to a minimum and breaking down the Family Medical Leave Act so you can keep your composure and your job when the caregiver crisis hits.
ICYMI (in case you missed it)
🏆 Captify won AgeTech After Dark 2026 for its product that turns everyday conversation into real-time captions, helping people with hearing loss follow what’s being said.
📊 Oklahoma ranks third nationally for caregiver burden, the state home to Chloe Flanagan who unexpectedly became a caregiver and remained in that role for more than a decade.
🧠 Muscular Dystrophy News reflects on how a medical oversight shifted caregiving at home for one family and underscores how one person can’t carry the full burden alone.
⚖️ New Hampshire Senate Bill 608, which would expand caregiver training, counseling, and respite through Medicaid, aims to address the realities families face — unpaid care, burnout, and lost income.
Understanding FMLA
You know what’s not in your job description? Managing your mom’s hospital discharge between Zoom calls while pretending you’re not in full ghost mode on Slack.
That’s where FMLA comes in, a federal law celebrating its 33rd birthday next month that gives you up to 12 weeks of job-protected, health-insurance-protected leave each year to care for a loved one with a serious health condition. Translation: you can step away to show up for Mom and still have a job (and benefits) waiting when you get back.
Here’s the Deal:
FMLA = Family and Medical Leave Act
Up to 12 weeks off (per year)
Your job, or one just like it, is protected
Your health insurance stays intact
Unpaid (more on that in a sec)
You can use FMLA to care for a parent, spouse, or child, or to recover from your own health issue. It also applies to birth, adoption, foster placement, and certain military caregiving situations.
Do You Qualify?
You’re eligible if:
You work for a public agency, school, or private company with 50+ employees
You’ve worked there for at least 12 months
You’ve logged 1,250+ hours in the past year (roughly 24 hours/week)
What About Pay?
FMLA leave is usually unpaid. (Yep, that part’s a big buzzkill.) But:
Some employers do offer paid leave, or let you use sick/vacation days
Some states have leveled up with Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) laws
A few states have broadened the definition of family, covering siblings, in-laws, and more
Bottom line: check your state’s laws, you may have more rights than you think. Sure, you can dig through your state’s government site, but we also found a couple of companies who do a good job of making it make sense. Rubywell even has an easy to read interactive state-by-state map.
You shouldn't have to choose between being a good employee and a good kid. FMLA lets you step away when you need to — without losing your job or your health insurance. It’s imperfect, but it’s something.
What’s Good
Helpful care-focused finds we’ve identified and researched so you don’t have to.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a free Family & Caregiver Helpline for those supporting a loved one living with mental health challenges. It’s free, confidential, and staffed by trained listeners who can help you talk through next steps, find the right resources, or simply remind you that you’re not in this alone.
Parenting Parents
You said it. This week’s submissions.
“Finally beating my dad at chess (first time in my life) and him still remembering it the next day.”
“Sometimes Mom getting mad at me seems better than her getting mad at Dad.”
“For the first time in a long my, my sister was the one to frustrate my parents.”
“Dad finally opened up about end of life wishes and said he was glad he did.”
“Mom said she thinks it's time she stop driving. My brother and I are so proud of her!”
