Family and Medical Leave Act: Change on the Horizon

08/20/08

As it currently stands, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires covered employers – private employers with 50 or more employees - to provide those employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period. FMLA leave provides employees time off for the birth or adoption of a child; care for a spouse, parent or child with serious health condition; or when the employee is unable to work due to a serious health condition.

However, calls for change are being heard throughout Washington.

Senator Edward Kennedy and Representative Rosa DeLauro recently introduced legislation in both houses of Congress that would extend the FMLA to require that employers with 15 or more employees provide paid sick leave to their employees. This legislation, known as the Healthy Families Act, would require employers to provide seven paid sick days per year.

In addition, Senator Christopher Dodd has been outspoken about his desire to reduce the FMLA threshold from 50 to 25 employees. In the 109th Congress, Dodd proposed legislation that expands the eligible reasons for taking FMLA leave to include effects of domestic violence, and up to 24 hours for a child’s school related activities.

In order to prepare for the possibility of change, employers must first ensure that they have the FMLA tools to comply with the law as it currently stands. G.Neil’s comprehensive and fully updated FMLA Answer Kit includes step-by-step components, written in “plain English,” to help get you into complete FMLA compliance. With it, you’ll find the answers to your toughest questions quickly and easily, and understand how you can help to prevent lawsuits.