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FMLA

When are overweight employees considered ‘Disabled’?

03/01/2007

Is obesity a disability? Until recently, the answer has been “Fat chance!” But that may be changing. A recent ADA court ruling opens the door to some types of obesity being defined as disabilities …

Firing workers who take FMLA leave? Do it carefully

03/01/2007

The federal FMLA and New Jersey’s Family Leave Act (NJFLA) both make it illegal to discipline or terminate employees because they take leave to care for a sick parent or child. But that doesn’t mean employees who take such leave are “untouchable” from discipline …

Cutting jobs? You may be able to consider FMLA leave

03/01/2007

You’ve heard it over and over again: Don’t take FMLA leave into consideration when making employment decisions. But you don’t have to take that caveat to extremes …

Good records are key to winning retaliation lawsuits

03/01/2007

When it comes to discharging employees, it’s very important to document your decision-making process. Be prepared to show that you followed company disciplinary rules and applied them even-handedly …

Job Stress Can Count as FMLA-Eligible ‘Serious’ Condition

03/01/2007

A court has ruled that an employee’s inability to go to work due to stress and anxiety about a pending termination or other performance issues may be considered a “serious health condition” under the FMLA …

How to comply with state’s new Mental Health Parity Law

03/01/2007

Shortly before leaving office, Gov. Pataki signed New York’s Mental Health Parity Law, which requires insurers to provide mental health benefits in all health insurance policies issued in the state …

Reservists’ COBRA, FMLA Rights

02/28/2007

HR Law 101: The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act protects reservists when they’re away from work for extended periods. Reservists on active duty can maintain health insurance coverage by electing COBRA continuation. Employers must also count time spent on active duty toward the calendar and hour requirements for coverage under the FMLA …

FMLA: Scheduling Foreseeable Leave

02/13/2007

HR Law 101: The FMLA allows employers to negotiate with employees about the time when they are going to take time off when the leave is foreseeable. The law says that employees should schedule their leave “so as not to unduly disrupt the employer’s operations” …

FMLA: Intermittent Leave

02/13/2007

HR Law 101: Generally, the FMLA entitles employees to take intermittent leave for medical treatment or other medical reasons, whether it’s for the employee or a family member. But there’s the potential for abuse when employees take intermittent leave … 

FMLA: Paid vs. Unpaid Leave

02/13/2007

HR Law 101: FMLA leave is unpaid time unless the employer voluntarily decides to continue paying the worker during the time off. You may insist that employees first use up all of their paid leave and count that toward their total FMLA time …