What law requires employers to provide their employees time off for illness or to care for a family member?

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is designed to ensure that eligible employees have the right to take unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons while maintaining job protection. This law specifically allows employees to take time off for their own serious health condition, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, or for certain qualifying exigencies related to a family member's military service. By mandating that employers provide this time off, the FMLA supports employees’ needs for work-life balance and the ability to care for their health and family without fear of losing their jobs.

The other options represent different laws that do not specifically address the provision of time off for personal or family health needs. The Fair Labor Standards Act primarily governs wage and hour laws, the Occupational Safety and Health Act focuses on workplace safety and health regulations, and the Workers' Compensation Act relates to providing benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. Thus, while all these laws are important in their respective areas, it is the Family Medical Leave Act that specifically establishes the requirement for time off related to illness or family caregiving.