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FMLA

Beware discipline after return from FMLA leave

10/04/2010

Employees are protected against retaliation for taking FMLA leave. Disciplining an employee who has just returned from such leave is risky, especially if you can’t point to anything truly objective as the reason. Attributing a “poor attitude” to returning employees is a bad idea unless you can provide specific examples of actual work deficiencies.

Courts look at unpaid, off-the-clock work when tallying 1,250-hour FMLA threshold

10/04/2010

Many part-time employees don’t qualify for FMLA leave because they haven’t worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12-month period immediately preceding the leave. But now some hourly employees and their attorneys are trying a new approach: They’re claiming that employers failed to count so-called off-the-clock work toward FMLA eligibility.

Taking FMLA leave may rule out performance bonus

10/01/2010
Under the right circumstances, employers that pay discretionary bonuses based on actual performance don’t have to make the extra payments to employees on FMLA leave. Thus, a discretionary bonus based on performance during each quarter may not have to be paid if the employee didn’t work.

Remind bosses: React to all FMLA requests in a calm and stoic manner

10/01/2010

An employee’s request to take FMLA leave can be frustrating for supervisors who have to manage schedules and projects. But if bosses voice those concerns in a way that seems angry or annoyed, they may be creating the perfect storm for an FMLA interference lawsuit.

If you have doubts about FMLA eligibility, don’t hesitate to seek a second medical opinion

09/24/2010

Back in August, we told you how a federal court had dismissed a case involving a woman who had taken her child out of day care for the summer and asked for FMLA leave so she could care for him until school started. (See “School’s out for summer! But the FMLA doesn’t cover day care”.) Now the same court has reinstated the lawsuit after taking another look at the facts.

Does the FMLA cover cosmetic surgery?

09/24/2010
Q. One of our employees is having cosmetic surgery and plans to take leave. Would that fall under the FMLA, or would it be a leave of absence?

After brief FMLA leave, can we request a second opinion to make sure worker is ready to return?

09/22/2010
Q. We have an employee returning from a leave taken under the federal FMLA and the California Family Rights Act. His physician has issued a fitness-for-duty certificate. However, we have doubts about the worker’s ability to perform his job … Can we send him to another physician for a second fitness-for-duty examination?

FMLA leave OK for pregnant worker who can’t do her job

09/21/2010
Doctors sometimes tell pregnant employees they can’t lift anything in excess of a certain weight. If the job requires such lifting, there is nothing to prevent the employer from placing the pregnant worker on FMLA leave.

It’s not just doctor’s FMLA call anymore: Court allows worker’s say on health condition

09/21/2010
Here’s a new Florida case you should be aware of. A federal district court judge has allowed an FMLA interference case to go forward based on an employee’s testimony that she was absent due to a serious health condition when her employer terminated her.

Late FMLA notice: When must you cut slack?

09/21/2010
Last year’s FMLA regulations gave employers new powers to demand notification from employees. But while you can now hold employees to your “usual and customary” notice procedures when they’re notifying you of unexpected FMLA leave, you must allow some flexibility for emergency circumstances.