Little-Known FMLA Facts, Part 1: Under-Utilized FMLA Tools

This is the first installment of a two-part series on little-known FMLA facts. Today’s installment covers under-utilized FMLA tools. Our next installment covers FMLA traps. Under-utilized FMLA Tool #1: Using FMLA While we get questions across the full spectrum of employment issues, we estimate at least 25% concern an employee unable to perform the job’s…

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Numerous Employment Law Developments to Be Aware Of

As the first half of the year draws to a close, we take this opportunity to provide a summary of recent developments. If you have any questions about these or other developments, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our organization for advice. REMINDER: EXPANDED PROTECTIONS FOR PREGNANT AND NURSING EMPLOYEES On June 27,…

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Department of Labor Issues Opinion Letter Clarifying FMLA Leave for Overtime Workers

The United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) released an opinion letter on February 9, 2023 (the “Letter”) clarifying covered leave for overtime-eligible employees under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The Letter pertains to FMLA-eligible employees who work more than 40 hours in a given workweek. The…

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DOL Clarifies Whether FLSA and FMLA Protections Apply to Remote Employees

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued new guidance regarding how remote employees should be paid under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and when they are eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FLSA requires covered employers to pay nonexempt employees for all hours worked, including certain rest…

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EEOC Announces Enforcement Priorities for 2023-2027

On Tuesday January 10, 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) publicly released its Draft Strategic Enforcement Plan (“SEP”) for fiscal years 2023-2027. The SEP describes the EEOC’s top enforcement priorities, making it critical information for employers around the country. The Draft SEP sets out the EEOC’s six subject matter priorities for fiscal years 2023-2027:…

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Quiet Quitting and Today’s Workforce Challenges

The American workforce is in crisis, buffeted by one challenge after another – some recent, and some, like demographic changes, that have been building for decades. At a recent employment law seminar – our first in-person employment program since 2019 – Pierce Atwood brought together clients from health care, higher education, accounting, the nonprofit sector,…

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Toyota Moves to Dismiss Proposed FMLA Class Action, Compel Arbitration

Toyota Motor North American (Toyota) has asked a federal judge to dismiss a proposed class action lawsuit over whether the company underestimated employees’ hours to cut down on their entitlement to leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Toyota also asked that the judge compel arbitration of the claim, alleging that the plaintiff…

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Unlimited Time Off Presents Hidden Challenges for Employers

We have increasingly been fielding inquiries from organizations that are looking to implement some version of unlimited time off for their employees. They saw that employees continued to be productive while working remotely during the pandemic, and they want to give them the flexibility to take time off as/when needed – provided the work still…

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Workers Compensation Claim? Light Duty? Remember The FMLA!

A recent decision out of the Eleventh Circuit is a good reminder for employers on how the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and state law workers compensation schemes overlap and interact. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal statute that entitles eligible workers who need to recover from a serious injury to take…

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FMLA Allows Leave for Mental Health Treatment, DOL Reminds Employers

The Family and Medical Leave Act protects time off for mental health treatment, the U.S. Department of Labor reminded employers May 25. The agency released two guidance documents — Fact Sheet #280: Mental Health Conditions and the FMLA and Frequently Asked Questions on the FMLA’s mental health provisions — to help employers and workers understand…

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