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FMLA

Never automatically fire employees just because they exhaust FMLA leave

01/25/2012
Many employers wrongly assume that they can automatically terminate an employee once she used up her 12-week entitlement of FMLA leave. Such a policy could spell trouble.

What counts as illegal retaliation? DOL explains

01/23/2012
The U.S. Department of Labor recently issued three new fact sheets that help clarify what types of employer actions rise to the level of illegal retaliation under the FMLA and FLSA.

Can mental health problems be covered by the FMLA in addition to the ADA?

01/20/2012
Q. One of my employees recently informed me that she needs to take time off to seek psychiatric treatment. I realize that this employee may be disabled under the ADA, but could she also be considered to be suffering from a serious health condition under the FMLA?

Consider more time off as reasonable accommodation

01/20/2012
Sometimes, employees develop medical problems and use up their available leave under the FMLA or other leave programs before they get a definitive diagnosis. Think about offering them additional time off.

FMLA: Flare-ups every Friday? Check it out

01/20/2012
While employees with chronic medical conditions are typically entitled to FMLA leave, such intermittent absences are fertile ground for abuse. After all, an employee on intermittent leave can simply call in and say his condition is acting up. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless if you suspect abuse.

Beware ADA lawsuit if you fire after FMLA leave expires

01/18/2012
Don’t make a common, but potentially expensive mistake. You can terminate an employee who isn’t ready to return to work when he has used up his FMLA leave without violating the FMLA. However, you may be violating the ADA by doing so.

Follow the certification trail when you suspect employee is gaming medical leave

01/06/2012
When asked to provide FMLA certification of their serious health condition from a health care provider, some employees may realize they can’t. One answer? Fake it. What’s an employer to do? There are several approaches you can take.

Can employees have fun while on FMLA leave?

01/06/2012
Sure, a birthday party may lift your spirits. But Congress probably didn’t have party attendance in mind as “covered treatment” when it gave employees the right to take FMLA medical leave. Still, should you instantly fire a worker for attending a party while on FMLA leave?

Employees and former employees have up to 3 years to file suit under FMLA

01/05/2012

Don’t write off a lawsuit just because a former employee misses state discrimination agency and EEOC deadlines to file a complaint. If the employee has an FMLA-related claim, she has up to three years to file a federal lawsuit. And she doesn’t have to file anything with the EEOC or a New York state or local discrimination agency.

Mere ‘association’ with a disabled person doesn’t trigger need to accommodate

01/05/2012

A federal court has shot down an employee’s claim that he should have received an accommodation because of his association with a disabled individual. That’s good news, as it nixes time off to care for a disabled individual if the employee isn’t otherwise eligible for FMLA leave.