What benefit must employers maintain for workers under the Family and Medical Leave Act?

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employers are required to maintain health benefits for workers who take leave. This means that during the duration of the leave, the employer must ensure that the employee's health insurance coverage continues under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave. This provision is critical since the FMLA is designed to protect workers' rights to take time off for specific family and medical reasons without losing their health coverage, thereby ensuring they can manage their health and family needs while remaining covered for medical expenses.

While retirement benefits, bonus structures, and promotional opportunities are important aspects of an employee's overall compensation package, they are not specifically mandated by FMLA to be maintained during a family or medical leave. The focus of the FMLA is primarily on health benefits, ensuring that employees do not have to choose between their job security and their health or family matters.