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FMLA

Time to care for adult children limited to ADA disabilities

11/01/2007

The FMLA provides employees with up to 12 weeks off to care for a child suffering from a serious health condition. But when the child is an adult, the rules change, making it much harder for employees to qualify for leave. Here’s why: FMLA regulations say that FMLA leave for children older than 18 is available only if the child is disabled under the definition in the ADA …

When whistle-Blowing is involved, discharge reasons must be rock-Solid

11/01/2007

he Michigan Whistleblowers’ Protection Act protects employees who report suspected wrongdoing to public authorities from retaliation. An employer that knows an employee has reported alleged wrongdoing must take special care when disciplining or discharging that employee. Unless you have an absolutely legitimate business reason for your action, the timing makes the decision suspect and will most likely lead to a jury trial …

Attendance abuse and the FMLA

11/01/2007

Q. Our company has certain employees who we believe abuse our absentee policy. We use a “no fault” system, but we do excuse FMLA absences. Typically, when employees get close to discipline or termination, they begin the paperwork for an FMLA absence. Do you have any suggestions on how we could better police the FMLA process to limit abuse? …

On the hook for FMLA transgression? Offer immediate reinstatement to cut liability

11/01/2007

The FMLA is a complicated law, ready to trip up even the savviest HR specialist. Often, a case turns on the employer’s subjective motivation rather than its objective action. What do you do once you realize your organization may be on the hook for an FMLA violation? The answer: Immediately, unconditionally offer to reinstate the employee. You will cut back-pay and failure-to-reinstate liability …

Stay on top of FMLA recertifications—Track when employees receive your requests

11/01/2007

When employees take intermittent FMLA leave, it’s your responsibility as the employer to insist employees regularly update their medical information through their physicians. That means you must be prepared to prove employees not only knew they needed to get their conditions recertified, but also received the forms …

No unemployment comp for workers who quit to care for disabled family members

11/01/2007

Family and military leave laws require Indiana employers to accommodate employees dealing with certain family problems. But the law doesn’t stick employers with an unemployment compensation bill when employees quit after their protected leave expires. Thanks to a recent Indiana Court of Appeals decision, it is now clear that voluntarily quitting to care for an ill family member does not mean the employee is eligible for unemployment compensation payments …

Basics of the FMLA: 7 steps to total compliance

11/01/2007

The Family and Medical Leave Act entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for their own “serious health condition,” care of a spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition, or for childbirth or adoption.The U.S. Labor Department recently collected 15,000 public comments about the pros and cons of the law. The department may use those comments to help develop regulations that clarify the confusing parts of the law, but no regulations are imminent …

Mandatory doctor visits: Must you pay for the time?

11/01/2007

Q. We sometimes send our employees to our company doctor. Do we have to pay employees their hourly rates for their time? Also, are we responsible for any accidents that happen on the drive? —C.C., Arizona …

Drawing the line on tardiness: the legal risks

11/01/2007

Q. We’re having tardiness and absenteeism issues with our employees. If we place an employee on probation for an excessive number of times tardy and days absent, can we require no absences at all during the probation period? —C.V., New Jersey …

You can automatically apply FMLA/CFRA leave with notice

11/01/2007

Employees who need to take time off for serious health conditions can use both federal FMLA leave and California Family Rights Act (CFRA) leave, plus other paid leave for the absences. But employers can require employees to use their available FMLA and CFRA leaves for any eligible condition, even if the employees are off on other paid leave. That way, employees aren’t eligible for more time off after they have exhausted other leave entitlements …