Final answer:
Eligibility for family medical leave requires protection permitting up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for reasons such as childbirth or family illness, and it includes anti-discrimination provisions for pregnant women in the workplace.
Step-by-step explanation:
A requirement for a team member to be eligible for family medical leave is the protection that allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for family reasons, including birth or family illness. This protection aims to ensure that employees can care for their family or themselves during significant life events without fear of losing their jobs.
It also prohibits discrimination against women in the workplace who are planning to get pregnant or who are returning to work after pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of equal treatment and support for female workers during times of transition.
In the United States, this legislation was influenced by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, which recognized the need for specific protections for pregnant women in the workforce. The historical context shows that as early as 1950, many industrial nations had provisions for pregnant employees, whereas the U.S. took significantly longer to adopt similar federal legislation.