Amendments to the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, and employees will be entitled to 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period, instead of the current 16 weeks of leave in a 24-month period.
Maine Expands State FMLA to Allow Leave to Care for Serious Health Conditions of Grandchildren
Maine employees will soon be eligible to take protected unpaid leave to care for serious health conditions of their grandchildren. On June 14, 2021, Governor Janet Mills signed into law L.D. 61, an Act to Include Grandparents Under Maine’s Family Medical Leave Laws.
Understanding CFRA: Who Is a “Family Member”?
The new year brought several important changes to the California Family Rights Act. One key change that employers should be aware of is the expansion of the scope of individuals who qualify as “family members” under the law.
The American Rescue Plan Extends FFCRA Tax Credit, But Not the Mandate
On Mar. 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Plan extends the date employers can receive tax credits for qualified wages paid to employees from Mar. 31, 2021 until Sep. 30, 2021.
DOL Field Assistance Bulletins Clarify Telehealth and Telework Impact on FMLA Obligations
On Dec. 29, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor issued two field assistance bulletins aimed at clarifying obligations under the Family and Medical Leave Act in light of the prevalence of telework and telehealth.
Connecticut Paid FMLA: What Employers Need to Know Now
With a difficult 2020 nearing its end, if Connecticut Paid FMLA has recently reappeared on your radar, don’t fret! Simply review these basics to prepare for this upcoming change.
DOL Issues Additional Clarification on FMLA, FFCRA, FLSA in COVID-19 Context
The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) recently issued additional clarification on its FAQs and guidance regarding the FMLA and the FFCRA in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some highlights include:
Summer Break Does Not Necessarily Mean A Break From FFCRA Leave Requirements
Its July. A time when in normal years, schools are closed and families are planning vacations. But in 2020, paid vacation is being replaced with paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), leaving employers asking, can they still do that?
Washington Amends its Paid Family and Medical Leave Act
On Mar. 26, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law amendments to the Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave Act.
DOL States That Employees on Furlough or Layoff Are Not Eligible for FFCRA Paid Sick Leave or Expanded FMLA
The Department of Labor issued additional FAQs addressing how the paid sick leave and expanded FMLA leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) will apply starting Apr. 1, 2020.
2019 DMEC Employer Leave Management Survey White Paper
For nine years the Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) and Spring Consulting Group have partnered to conduct annual research on employer leave management. Our national survey tracks employer methods for … Read More
2019 DMEC Employer Leave Management Survey Executive Summary
For nine years, DMEC and Spring Consulting Group have partnered to conduct annual research on employer leave management. With information from over 873 employers, the national survey tracks employer methods … Read More
Colorado Continues Its Efforts Towards Paid Family Leave
There is a new proposed Colorado bill, which attempts to create tax incentives to encourage employers to voluntarily support paid parental and medical leave programs.
Governor Planning Big Changes to California Leave Laws
As California employers continue to grapple with recent legislation effective Jan. 1, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom is releasing his plans for even more employment legislation.
6th Circuit Rules Regular, On-Site Attendance Is Essential Function
The 6th Circuit held “regular, in-person attendance constitutes an essential function of most jobs,” but an employer must tie time-and-presence requirements to some other job requirement in order to prove that in-person attendance is indeed an essential job function.
DOL States that Employers May Not Delay Designating FMLA Leave
On Sept. 10, 2019, the Department of Labor issued an FMLA opinion letter stating that an employer may not delay designating paid leave as FMLA leave if the delay complies with a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and the employee prefers that the designation be delayed.
DOL Opines That Parent’s Attendance at Individualized Education Program Conference Warrants FMLA Leave
In an Aug. 8, 2019 opinion letter, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) shed some light on what counts as “caring for” a family member under the FMLA.
6th Circuit Faults “No-Fault” Attendance Policy with Broad FMLA Benefits Interpretation
Employers must carefully navigate Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) pitfalls when administering attendance policies.
Absence Matters: Integrating Leave Programs
Integrating Leave Programs to Ensure Consistency and Compliance By Bryon Bass SVP, Disability and Absence Practice & Compliance Sedgwick Integrated programs that take into account all types of leave of … Read More
FMLA Second and Third Opinions: Good Faith Obligations
Good Faith Obligations in the Second and Third Opinion Process By Gail I. Cohen, JD Director, Employment Law & Compliance Matrix Absence Management When employers use second and third opinions … Read More