Tag: FMLA

Qualified Immunity Defense May Apply to FMLA Claims

Government employees and officials are granted “qualified immunity” in suits where they act in good faith and with a reasonable belief that their actions comply with the law. Most frequently, qualified immunity is discussed in connection with cases alleging the use of excessive force by police officers. However, a recent case before the U.S. 8th […]

Discipline Notes Critical in FMLA Claims

One of the things that happens with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a disconnect between the complex structure of the FMLA and its practical application. Plaintiffs’ attorneys will sometimes assert that they don’t understand how there could be an FMLA issue given that the structure is “so easy to understand.” That’s typically […]

The FMLA and a Winning First Step Toward Addressing Mental Health in the Workplace

On March 6, 2022, HBO premiered the show Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, chronicling the showtime era of the Lakers dynasty. The show is based on the book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s by Jeff Pearlman. The show focused not only on star athletes […]

This is Us: What’s the FMLA Got to Do With It?

For six seasons, fans of the NBC hit drama This is Us tuned in each week to watch the Pearson Family saga unfold and to have a collective soul cleansing cry. This is Us delicately weaved in and out of multiple time periods to tell the heartwarming story of Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca Pearson (Mandy […]

EEOC Warns of Higher Risk of Caregiver Discrimination in Changing World, Workplace

The COVID-19 pandemic placed a spotlight on the challenge of juggling work and personal obligations, including coordinating the demands of virtual learning, school closures, and other scheduling issues. Even as the pandemic evolves to become endemic, it may still have a lingering effect on the lives of workers who need to juggle hybrid school schedules […]

Ask the Expert: Does FMLA Cover Care for Adult Children?

In our latest installment of Ask the Expert, brought to you by the team of industry experts at HR Hero®, we look at a recent question from a subscriber regarding the limitations and eligibility of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) coverage when providing care to adult children. Q: An employee’s adult son is having […]

Ask the Expert: Voluntary Benefits During Unpaid Leave

In our latest installment of Ask the Expert, brought to you by the team of industry experts at HR Hero®, we look at a recent question from a subscriber regarding the recommended management and payment of voluntary benefits for employees while they are out on unpaid leave. Q: How should employers handle voluntary benefits when employees are […]

Recertification Request Doesn’t Interfere with FMLA Rights

An employer’s request for medical recertification to establish eligibility for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave didn’t violate the Act, the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers Arkansas) recently ruled. Missing 16 consecutive days rather than the expected four to five days set forth in the original medical certification was a significant […]

Ask the Expert: FMLA and Caring for Family Members

In our latest installment of Ask the Expert, brought to you by the team of industry experts at HR Hero®, we look at a recent question from a subscriber regarding FMLA regulations and the coverage provided to employees who are caring for family members. See what the experts had to say. Q: An employee’s parent is […]

Make Sure Your Parental Leave Policy Is Ready for Post-COVID-19 Baby Boom

Early during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was speculation about a baby boom in the coming months because couples were spending virtually all their time at home together, perhaps with too much “downtime.” An immediate boom ended up not occurring, according to a recent study by University of Michigan researchers. But, the slight pause in pregnancy and childbirths […]