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Ask the Attorney Archives

Can we dictate that an employee use FMLA leave in increments?

03/19/2019
Q: “An exempt employee expected to work a regular eight-hour workday provided medical documentation that supported a request for a six-hour day to reduce workload. Is it possible to request that the employee take the leave in half day increments?” – Rachel, District of Columbia

Upon separation, must we pay employees for their unused vacation time?

03/19/2019
Q: “Is an employer required to pay an employee who leaves employment of their own free will the vacation time they have accrued during the year prior to their leaving?”  – M., Oklahoma

How do we bring our harassment training into compliance in New York?

03/04/2019
Q: “My consulting firm presents sexual harassment prevention training for our clients. The training has been designed to meet the guidelines of New York State and City. I have tried, to no avail, to locate a government agency that will review the program and verify/approve that it is in compliance.” – Kenneth, New York

What happens if we give faulty FMLA notice?

02/11/2019
Q: “An employee went out on qualified FMLA leave. A letter was sent to her. Unfortunately it was a form letter that indicated that she was eligible for workers’ comp, but it was not workers’ comp leave. I just realized the mistake. How do I correct it?” – Kim, Virginia  

How do we count employees for Minnesota’s Parental Leave Law?

02/11/2019
Q: “Regarding Minnesota’s Parental Leave Law, it is stated that: ‘Companies with 21 to 49 employees are covered by Minnesota’s Parental Leave Law. Companies with 50 or more employees are covered by the U.S. Family and Medical Leave Act.’ We have several part-time employees, some who work 15 hours a week or less. If all employees are counted, we are over 21. My question is: Do we count actual employees or FTE’s? Does 21 mean an equivalent of 21 full-time employees or 21 employees, no matter how many hours they work in a week?” – Carol, Minnesota

Are we on the hook for this error on an employee’s W-4?

02/11/2019
Q: “We have an employee who is very upset because her W4 had been filled out incorrectly, claiming three dependents when she actually has none. The employee is claiming that the HR specialist (who is no longer working for us) filled out this information (and it does look like her handwriting). This employee has now resigned because she is so upset and I’m worried about where we stand legally regarding this?” – Anonymous, Pennsylvania

Must we allow an employee to reduce her own schedule?

01/14/2019
Q: “We have a full-time employee who wants to reduce her schedule for personal reasons. Do we have to accommodate her? She is hourly.” – Anonymous, Pennsylvania

Are commuting allowances considered taxable income?

01/14/2019
Q: “We offer our construction superintendents a monthly auto allowance and a weekly gas allowance. They are not required to turn in any type of expense report to receive these: the two were part of the offer of employment. Are both of these allowances considered taxable income under these circumstances?” – Kary, Florida

How exactly is distance measured when figuring out the FMLA compliance threshold?

12/17/2018
Q: “I know if we have 50 employees working within 75 miles, we must comply with the FMLA. But we have a facility that’s within about 65 miles as the crow flies, yet much longer by road due to the mountains here. I don’t want to make a mistake here, so is there a specific way distance is measured when it comes to FMLA compliance?” – Christopher, Colorado

Employee wants to come back after termination—what to say?

12/17/2018
Q: “What can a supervisor say to an employee who was terminated because they would not accept a suspension, but now wants their job back. The company does not want the employee reinstated. What is his supervisor allowed to say?” – Richard, Minnesota