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FMLA

FMLA and NY Paid Family Leave Law and Disability Benefits Law

09/07/2017
It’s time to answer some of the trickier questions about the interaction of the FMLA, the New York Paid Family Leave Law and the state’s Disability Benefits Law.

Date of firing notice–not last day of work–determines when discrimination occurred

09/07/2017
An employee who believes she has been fired for discriminatory reasons has the right to sue her employer as soon as she receives a termination notice. That’s true even if the termination isn’t yet effective.

Explain how maternity, FMLA leave overlap

09/07/2017
Many employers have maternity leave policies that provide a period of paid time off following birth or adoption. That’s fine. But if you intend for paid maternity leave to run concurrently with federal FMLA leave, be sure you spell that out.

What’s good enough to win one case might be a loser when applied to a different claim

08/30/2017
Even if you think you have a rock-solid reason to fire someone, don’t count on it as an airtight defense against every lawsuit. Your rationale might, for example, be an excellent defense against an age discrimination claim, but not against an FMLA claim.

Beware firing as employee nears eligibility to take FMLA leave

08/30/2017
If an employee says she is going to need FMLA leave as soon as she becomes eligible, terminating her may amount to interference with the right to take FMLA leave. That’s true even though she wasn’t eligible for leave when she was fired.

Suffering FMLA abuse? Cure top 4 symptoms

08/14/2017
Summertime and the winter holidays are the two peak seasons for employee leave requests—including FMLA leave. How many of your employees’ FMLA requests will be suspicious this holiday season?

Beware body language discouraging FMLA

08/02/2017
Sometimes, a boss can cause big legal trouble without even saying a word. A sigh or negative look can be enough if the worker on the receiving end perceives the behavior as disapproval.

Before firing for too much sick leave, ensure it wasn’t FMLA-covered serious condition

07/21/2017
The FMLA doesn’t cover minor illnesses, and employers are free to punish employees who miss work because of them. However, employers do have an obligation to investigate further if the employee reports she received medical treatment and followed call-off rules.

Discipline or termination after FMLA leave? Prepare to prove it wasn’t retaliation

07/19/2017
Typically, courts look at whether an employee has used FMLA leave in the past when considering whether his employer interfered with his FMLA rights more recently.

Tell managers: Never comment on FMLA leave

07/17/2017
Employees who qualify for FMLA leave can’t be punished for taking it. Any action that could be seen as dissuading workers from exercising their right to take FMLA leave amounts to interfering with a federal right.