Which federal law requires organizations with over 50 employees to offer family leave?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is the federal law that requires organizations with over 50 employees to provide eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month period for specific family and medical reasons. These include the birth and care of a newborn child, the adoption or foster care placement of a child, the care of an immediate family member with a serious health condition, or the employee's own serious health condition.

FMLA not only mandates that eligible employees take the necessary leave but also ensures that their jobs remain protected during this time. The law emphasizes the importance of family and medical needs and supports employees in balancing work and personal responsibilities.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different areas of law. Title IX addresses discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities, ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) focuses on funding for education and ensuring equal access to quality education, and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects the privacy of student education records. Each of these laws serves distinct purposes but does not relate to family leave as FMLA does.