Tag: leave policy

FMLA Hassles—They Just Won’t Go Away

In yesterday’s Advisor, we addressed the tricky issue of "Qualifying Exigency"; today we tackle the other half of the military FMLA tangle, servicemember caregiver leave, and we take a look at the "FMLA bible." An eligible employee is entitled to a total of up to 26 workweeks of leave during any single 12-month period if […]

‘Qualifying Exigency’—Military FMLA Clarified

"Qualifying exigency"—one of two types of military FMLA leave, and one of those great regulatory terms that gives the illusion of clarity but is hard to pin down in the real world. The FMLA allows qualified employees with family members actively or formerly in the military to take leave under two circumstances: qualifying exigency (we’ll […]

Monthly Bonuses for Employees Out on FMLA?

In yesterday’s Advisor, we tackled vexing FMLA questions on counting days and “critical roles” or “key employee” exceptions. Today, BLR’s editors take on more questions, and we introduce the FMLA “Bible.” Q. Are we required to approve FMLA leave for a father who would like to take up to 7 weeks to care for his […]

Real-World FMLA: Some Vexing Questions

No sooner do we think we’ve got FMLA figured out than another baffling question comes along. Today’s Advisor takes a look at some vexing FMLA questions recently sent to BLR’s team of experts. Counting FMLA Time Q. Are we required to approve FMLA leave for a father who would like to take up to 7 […]

Navigating the Dangerous Light-Duty Highway

In yesterday’s Advisor, we looked at tricky issue of interactions between the FMLA, ADA, and workers’ compensation. Today, we cover the delicate question of light-duty work, and we explore a unique FMLA problem-solver. The question of light-duty or alternate work requirements bedevils HR managers faced with complying with three laws at once. Here are tips: […]

Escape from HR’s Bermuda Triangle

There’s little doubt that the most puzzling and frustrating trio in HR is FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation. In today’s Advisor, we’ll answer key questions about the overlapping of the three laws. What’s the main issue with the workers’ compensation, FMLA, and ADA overlap? If a worker is on leave because of a work-related injury […]

The 3-Legged Dance of FMLA, PDA, and COBRA

Much has been written about the Bermuda Triangle of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), but that’s not the only triangle that makes FMLA compliance tricky. Compliance gets even murkier when the ramifications of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), ADA, and […]

DOL Agrees: With Intermittent Leave, Enough Is Enough

No one likes dealing with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), but every HR manager is doing it. Barbara Dahlen’s approach has satisfied DOL and other agencies while at the same time significantly reducing FMLA time off. Take the case of "Bristol," says Dahlen, one of her employees who tried to wear her out. […]

Hard-Core Approach to Intermittent FMLA Gets Results

It takes a lot of time and effort to deal with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) issues, especially intermittent leave, says HR Manager Barbara Dahlen. Her pragmatic approach works, although she says she’s "not the most popular person" in her workplace. Dahlen says she’s "not a lawyer and doesn’t play one on TV." But […]

How to Halt ‘Pattern Absence’ Abuse Under FMLA

Once employees are certified for intermittent FMLA, the Monday-Friday absence pattern begins, and there’s nothing you can do, right? Not so, says HR Manager Barbara Dahlen. Yesterday’s Advisor featured Dahlen’s tips for managing intermittent leave abuse. Today, she tackles pattern absences. Dahlen, who manages HR at Bellefontaine Habilitation Center in St. Louis, asked her audience […]