FMLA Reminder

The new FMLA regulations are effective Friday, January 16, 2009 for employers with 50 or more employees.  If a covered  employer has not already changed their FMLA policies, they should do so now and begin using the new poster and sample forms from the USDOL.

You can obtain the  poster and forms from the DOL website by clicking on these links: new poster  and Notice of Eligibility (to be given to employees within 5 business days of their request for FMLA leave.)  If certification will be required, then the appropriate certification form must be given to the employee (with the Notice of Eligibility) within 5 business days after the leave request: certification for employee’s serious health condition; or certification for family member’s serious health condition; or family military leave for qualified exigency form; or certification for serious injury or illness of covered military service member for Military Family Leave.  Within 5 business days after its decision on the leave request, an employer must give a Designation Notice setting forth the terms of such leave if approved, whether  additional information is needed or whether the leave request has not been approved.