FMLA

Government bosses can be liable under FMLA

04/30/2018

Company supervisors who make family leave decisions and manage FMLA administration can be held personally liable for violations. Until now, it was unclear in California whether that liability extended to supervisors who administer the FMLA at public agencies. It is now clear it does.

Make sure employees follow all the rules when requesting FMLA leave

04/16/2018

The first in-person treatment with a health care professional must take place within seven days of the initial illness or injury that rendered the worker incapable of performing his job. Otherwise, the regulations assume the condition isn’t a serious health condition. Thus, the worker would not be entitled to FMLA leave.

OK to enforce no-moonlighting policy against employees who take FMLA leave

04/09/2018

Nothing in the FMLA specifically prohibits employees who take FMLA leave from moonlighting for another employer. But as long as employers clearly communicate it, it’s perfectly fine to enforce a no-moonlighting policy against any employee, including those who take FMLA leave.

EEOC pursues service-related harassment

04/05/2018

The EEOC is putting employers on notice that it will vigorously enforce the rights of employees who serve in the National Guard or military reserves or who are veterans.

Understaffed HR department is no excuse for flubbing FMLA compliance

04/03/2018

Is your HR office short-handed? That could spell big trouble, especially if supervisors have to handle personnel matters without HR’s help. Short-staffed or not, make sure bosses know they must consult HR on key employment law issues.

No slack for employees who take FMLA, then get caught breaking your rules

02/20/2018

Employees who take FMLA leave are not immune to discipline discovered while they are out on FMLA leave or after they return to work.

Employees have up to two years to file FMLA interference lawsuits

02/14/2018

Employees have up to two years after a request for FMLA leave is denied to file an FMLA interference lawsuit unless the violation was willful.

Medical leave request: Consider ADA & FMLA

02/08/2018

A Tennessee employer faces an EEOC lawsuit alleging it unlawfully fired a worker after she asked for leave to deal with her anxiety. The case highlights an HR imperative: When dealing with an employee who has medical problems, you may need to consider the ADA in addition to the FMLA.

No need to engage in accommodation process if disabled employee doesn’t request help

02/07/2018

Except in very rare circumstances, an employer isn’t obligated to provide an accommodation for a disabled worker who doesn’t ask for one. Otherwise, employers would be stuck having to read their employees’ minds.

Accommodation requests can affect unemployment benefits

01/26/2018

How you handle disability accommodation requests may determine whether a worker receives unemployment compensation if you terminate her after she’s used up all her leave.