Can you use continuous and intermittent FMLA or PFL at the same time?

Hey everyone, I’ve been trying to figure out if it’s possible to take both continuous and intermittent FMLA or PFL at the same time. I’ve heard conflicting things, like 6 months or 12 weeks, and I’m confused about how long each can actually last. Anyone know how this works, especially in New York?

I don’t think you can use continuous and intermittent leave at the same time. Continuous leave is all at once, and intermittent is for smaller chunks of time. They usually can’t overlap for the same reason.

@Bay
Makes sense. But if you switch from one type to the other, does it count toward the total limit?

Logan said:
@Bay
Makes sense. But if you switch from one type to the other, does it count toward the total limit?

Yeah, it does. Whether it’s continuous or intermittent, the time all comes out of the same 12-week allowance.

In New York, you can use FMLA and PFL at the same time if the situation qualifies under both programs. But I’m not sure about mixing continuous and intermittent leave.

Zeke said:
In New York, you can use FMLA and PFL at the same time if the situation qualifies under both programs. But I’m not sure about mixing continuous and intermittent leave.

That’s helpful, thanks. So they’d have to be separate leave periods if I need both types?

@Eli
Exactly. You’d need to finish one before starting the other. Employers usually need approval for switching too.

FYI, FMLA can be taken continuously or on a reduced schedule. PFL, though, only allows full-day increments, no partial days.

Wei said:
FYI, FMLA can be taken continuously or on a reduced schedule. PFL, though, only allows full-day increments, no partial days.

Wait, does that mean PFL is less flexible than FMLA?

@Beckett
Pretty much, yeah. FMLA lets you adjust schedules more, but PFL is stricter about taking full days off.

I had a similar question before and found that switching between continuous and intermittent leave is allowed as long as the total time doesn’t go over the 12-week limit.

Drew said:
I had a similar question before and found that switching between continuous and intermittent leave is allowed as long as the total time doesn’t go over the 12-week limit.

Good to know. So you’d have to be careful about how much time you use in each type?

@Eli
Exactly. Tracking your usage is key, or you might run out of time sooner than expected.

I read that you can’t combine the two types to stretch your leave longer. For example, you can’t take 12 weeks continuous and then 12 more intermittent for the same issue.

Bailey said:
I read that you can’t combine the two types to stretch your leave longer. For example, you can’t take 12 weeks continuous and then 12 more intermittent for the same issue.

That clears it up. So the total max is always 12 weeks no matter how you split it?

@Eli
Exactly. Whether it’s all at once or broken into chunks, you still only get up to 12 weeks.