This article series highlights the requirements for determining Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) eligibility. The last installment focused on what employers need to do to stay complaint. Another twist in the FMLA family care determination occurs when an employee requests leave to care for an adult child.
In general, an employee may not take FMLA leave to care for a son or daughter who is 18 years of age or older. However, an employee may take FMLA leave to care for a biological, adopted, or foster child, a stepchild, a legal ward, or a child to whom the employee stands in loco parentis, who is 18 years of age or older and incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability at the time that FMLA leave is to commence.