To be eligible for FMLA leave, an employee must have worked at least how many months and hours in the prior 12 months?

• A. Employed for at least 6 months and 1000 hours
• B. Employed for at least 12 months and 1250 hours
• C. Employed for at least 2 years and 2000 hours
• D. Any employee regardless of hours

Answer: (B)

FMLA leave eligibility rests on two requirements: tenure and hours worked. An employee must have been employed by the employer for at least 12 months and must have accumulated at least 1,250 hours of service in the 12 months immediately prior to taking the leave. Hours are typically the actual time worked, not just total time with the company, and paid time off may count only if the employer counts it as hours of service. The other options miss one or both of these thresholds. Therefore, the rule requiring 12 months of employment and 1,250 hours in the prior year is the correct one.