United States (Federal)
Complete guide to US federal leave laws including FMLA, military leave, and jury duty. Understand employer obligations and employee rights under federal law.
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Annual leave
11
Public holidays
country
Location type
2025-01-15
Reviewed
Legal framework
Primary legislation
Governing body
Last updated
Official source
Entitlements overview
Annual leave
Statutory entitlement: 0
Calculation: No federal requirement for paid vacation. Employers set their own policies.
Pro-rata: Varies by employer policy
Carryover: Determined by employer policy. "Use it or lose it" policies are legal in most states.
Sick leave
Statutory: No
Paid days: Varies
Statutory pay: Varies
Eligibility: No federal requirement for private employers
Parental leave
Maternity: 12 weeks (FMLA)
Paternity: 12 weeks (FMLA)
Adoption: 12 weeks (FMLA)
Shared leave: 12 weeks combined if both parents work for same employer
Additional leave and compliance
Other leave types
Jury Duty: As needed for service (unpaid)
Military Leave (USERRA): Up to 5 years cumulative (unpaid)
Voting Leave: Varies by state (unpaid)
Record keeping and notice
Records: Maintain FMLA records for 3 years, Track hours worked for FMLA eligibility, Document FMLA requests and certifications, Keep payroll records showing leave taken
Employer notice: Provide FMLA eligibility notice within 5 business days of request
Employee notice: 30 days advance notice when leave is foreseeable
Penalties: FMLA violations: Back pay, benefits, and liquidated damages, Retaliation claims can result in reinstatement and additional damages, Civil penalties up to $189 per violation for willful FMLA violations
Public holiday sample
New Year's Day: 2025-01-01
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 2025-01-20
Presidents' Day: 2025-02-17
Memorial Day: 2025-05-26
Juneteenth: 2025-06-19
Independence Day: 2025-07-04
Frequently asked questions
What is FMLA and who is covered?
The Family and Medical Leave Act provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. To be eligible, you must work for an employer with 50+ employees, have worked for at least 12 months, and have logged at least 1,250 hours in the past year.
Is there federal paid family leave in the US?
No, there is no federal paid family leave law for private employers. However, several states have their own paid family leave programs including California, New York, Washington, and others.
Can employers deny FMLA leave?
Employers cannot deny FMLA leave to eligible employees for qualifying reasons. However, they can require medical certification and may deny leave if the employee does not meet eligibility requirements.
What is the difference between FMLA and state leave laws?
FMLA is the federal baseline providing unpaid job-protected leave. Many states have additional laws that may provide paid leave, cover more employers, or offer greater protections. Employees are entitled to the most generous benefit available.
Do federal holidays have to be paid?
Private employers are not required to pay for federal holidays or give time off. However, most employers observe major holidays. Federal employees receive these 11 holidays as paid days off.
Related policy guides
California
Complete guide to California leave laws including CFRA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, Paid Family Leave, and sick leave. Updated for 2025.
New York
Complete guide to New York leave laws including NY Paid Family Leave, sick leave, and disability benefits. Updated for 2025.
Massachusetts
Complete guide to Massachusetts leave laws including Paid Family and Medical Leave, earned sick time, and small necessities leave.
Washington
Complete guide to Washington state leave laws including Paid Family & Medical Leave, sick leave, and domestic violence leave. Updated 2025.