If you or a member of your family becomes seriously ill or if you welcome a new child into your family through birth or adoption, you will probably need to take some time off from work. Can you? Will your job be there when you are ready to return to it? Since 1993 the Family and Medical Leave Act allows many American workers to take time off from work to care for a sick family member, a newborn child or a newly adopted older child without fear of losing their jobs. Notice I said many American workers. Whether you are covered by the FMLA depends on several factors, including the number of people who work for your employer and the amount of time you've been employed there. This January, the FMLA was amended to include relatives who must care for a member of the armed forces. Read about the Family and Medical Leave Act.