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FMLA

E-mail is forever—So be careful what you say

09/01/2007

An ill-worded e-mail, unlike a phone conversation, can come back to haunt you. Deleting e-mail doesn’t mean it’s gone forever, or that a recipient hasn’t saved, printed or forwarded it. Plus, there are plenty of computer experts out there who can recreate or retrieve deleted e-mail messages. The best policy is to assume that whatever is in an e-mail can be used against you in a court of law …

Intermittent-Leave Abuse? Double-Check Facts Before You Act

09/01/2007

Do you have employees on intermittent leave? Are they leaving work early for “medical reasons” at predictable times? Then your organization may be the victim of intermittent-leave abuse. It may be tempting to discipline or fire employees whose leave patterns (e.g., falling on Mondays or Fridays) suggest abuse. But you’re better off investigating thoroughly before you act  …

You must notify employee when leave is almost up

09/01/2007

Employees nearing the end of their 12 weeks of FMLA leave have the right to know when it will expire. You can’t simply calculate when the time will run out and not give a “heads up.” In fact, silence may operate as an unspoken extension. What’s more, expect an FMLA lawsuit if you then refuse to reinstate the employee because she took too much leave …

OK to terminate disabled worker—If there’s no way to accommodate

08/01/2007

The ADA says disabled employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations—but the key phrase is “reasonable” …

Fired worker can still receive total-Disability benefits

08/01/2007

The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that an injured employee may continue to receive temporary total-disability benefits even if he no longer qualifies for his position …

Florida enacts law providing leave to deal with domestic violence

08/01/2007

For the first time, the state of Florida has passed a leave law that affects the private sector. The newly minted Domestic Violence Leave Law provides time off to employees who suffer domestic abuse …

Health insurance maintained during FMLA leave

08/01/2007

Q. We have an employee who is out on an FMLA leave of absence. Our company provides health insurance for its employees and their families, and employees pay 20% of the premium. Our employee has not paid his share of the premium. Should we cancel his health insurance? We are very nervous about doing so because the employee has a very serious health condition. — J.B.

Does FMLA cover ‘Emotional care’ of spouse in ICU?

08/01/2007

Q We have an employee whose wife is in a hospital intensive-are unit. The employee has asked for FMLA leave. Is this an FMLA-eligible reason, even though the employee isn’t providing "care" as the law requires?

Don’t fire for FMLA absence, even with attendance problems

08/01/2007

Because the FMLA is an entitlement law, employers can’t interfere with emplolyees taking leave. But what about a chronically absent employee whom you’ve given one last chance? Do you have to sort out whether that final absence is covered by the FMLA—even if you could have fired him or her for absenteeism before? The answer is unequivocally “yes” …

Minor changes to working conditions don’t violate the FMLA

08/01/2007

While employees are off work on FMLA leave, things may change at the office. Work space may be realigned and reassigned, for example. But employers are obligated to return FMLA leave-takers to the same or an equivalent position after the leave expires. Does that mean the employee must get the same desk, office or location? Not necessarily …