News Notes: More Employers Having Difficulty Administering Family Leave

A new Department of Labor study reveals that employers are generally less positive about the Family and Medical Leave Act than their employees. Although a majority of employers reported that the FMLA is easy to administer, the figure dropped sharply from 85% in 1995 to 63% in 2000. More employers in 2000 than in 1995 described difficulties in keeping records, determining employee eligibility, and coordinating state and federal leave laws and other leave policies. Despite these problems, greater numbers of employers are offering family and medical leave benefits beyond what is required under the FMLA. On the employee side, more workers are using family and medical leave, but they are concerned about making ends meet while on leave.