Texas Real Estate Brokerage Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) Practice Exam

What type of leave may employers be required to offer for family reasons?

1. Paid leave

2. Unpaid leave

3. Vacation leave

4. Sick leave

The correct answer is: Unpaid leave

Employers may be required to offer unpaid leave for family reasons primarily under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This federal law mandates that eligible employees be granted up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for specific family and medical reasons, such as caring for a newborn, adopting a child, or tending to a serious health condition of a family member. Unpaid leave ensures that employees can take necessary time off without the pressure of losing their job or health insurance coverage during their absence, while still allowing the employer to retain flexibility in managing workforce resources. This protective measure balances the needs of workers for time off to care for their families with the employer's need to maintain operational effectiveness. In contrast, paid leave, vacation leave, and sick leave are typically discretionary benefits that employers may offer but are not mandated by law for family-related purposes like unpaid leave under the FMLA.