12/01/2007
Q. As the law requires, my company provides FMLA leave to employees, provided they submit medical certification forms completed by their health care providers, within 15 days. A late submission is grounds for discharge under the company’s employee absence policy. Health care providers being what they are, we frequently receive forms after the deadline. I have a problem employee out on FMLA leave again, who has not submitted a medical certification form within the 15-day deadline. What options are available to me as the employer? Will the employee be protected by the FMLA if I choose to discharge her for not providing the certification form in a timely manner? …
12/01/2007
Q. Today, I received notice of a discrimination claim from a former employee I fired 200 days ago. I thought my company was in the clear because employment discrimination complaints had to be filed within 180 days. I was surprised to hear from my HR department that the limitation period for filing the complaints can extend to 300 days. Is this true? And under what circumstances does the 300-day deadline apply? …