The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medical reasons, or for any "qualifying exigency" arising out of the fact that a covered military member is on active duty, or has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty, in support of a contingency operation. The FMLA also allows eligible employees to take up to 26 workweeks of job-protected leave in a "single 12-month period" to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness.

To be eligible for an FMLA leave, you must have worked 1,250 hours during the 12 consecutive month period before your leave is scheduled to begin. Any paid or unpaid leave time taken during the year is counted against your annual FMLA allowance. You must provide 30 days of notice when the need for an FMLA leave is foreseeable. When the need for a leave comes up unexpectedly, you must provide as much advance notice as possible. Medical certification regarding your or a family member's serious health condition will be required.

While you are away from work on an FMLA leave, your coverage under the Stryker Corporation Welfare Benefits Plan will continue for the duration of your approved leave period. If Stryker elects, you may be required to make arrangements to pay required healthcare benefit contributions on a regular basis while you are away from work.

If your coverage contributions have not been paid for 30 days, your health coverage may be canceled. You will be notified of a potential coverage cancellation. If Stryker elects to pay your contributions while you are on leave, you will reimburse the Company through payroll deduction when you return to work. If you do not return to work, you must repay the Company for the cost of Company-paid health coverage provided during your leave.

If you return to work when your leave ends, Stryker must restore you to your former position or an equal position with equal pay, benefits and terms and conditions of employment.

For full details on FMLA provisions in your state and how they affect your coverage under the Stryker Corporation Welfare Benefits Plan, contact your Benefits Representative.