DOL Revamped FMLA Forms and the Integration of the FMLA, FLSA and the FFCRA in Light of COVID Concerns

On July 16th of this year, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) released revamped, optional-use forms for employers to utilize when administering employees’ requests for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

There visions to the forms do not alter the substance of leave benefits and protections available to covered employees under FMLA.  The revamped forms make it simpler and easier for employees, employers, leave administrators and healthcare providers to understand and use.  Among the updated forms are those used for eligibility, rights and responsibilities and designation notices, in addition to leave certification forms.  They feature options for electronic signatures and contains boxes that can be checked instead of requiring written responses.    These changes will save users time and,ultimately, reduce the likelihood of violations.

In addition to the revamped forms, the WHD also issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking employer and employee feedback on the administration and use of FMLA leave.  This RFI asks employees and employers to provide specific input as to what they would like to see changed in the FMLA regulations to better effectuate the rights and obligations under the Act.  Given this initiative, further changes and revisions to FMLA, and to proposed paid family leave at the Federal level, can be anticipated in the future.

Additionally,the Department of Labor has issued guidance on return-to-work issues with respect to how the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) all impact the workplace as employees continue to return to work.  This new guidance provides answers that add ress critical issues under all three laws. 

Session Highlights:

• Overview of the 7 revamped FMLA forms

• Information solicited by the Department of Labor’s RFI with respect to FMLA regulations

• Department of Labor’s return-to-work guidance

• Family Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act & Families First Coronavirus Response Act provisions and interaction

• Paid Leave provisions under FFCRA
  

Why You Should Attend:

Administration of the Family and Medical Leave Act process can be a burden to many HR professionals.  HR professionals have expressed frustration with the sheer number of FMLA tasks involved in administering leaves while ensuring compliance.  The purpose of the revamped forms is to ease this administrative burden.  The revamped forms address eligibility for leave, the designation of leave, and the certification needed from an employee’s health care provider.

Additionally,this webinar discusses the Department of Labor’s guidance on return-to-work issues with respect to COVID-19 and the interaction of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). 

Attend an ceat this webinar will provide participants with knowledge of the revamped FMLA forms along with what organizations need to know to be compliant with the FLSA,the FMLA, and the FFCRA in light of COVID-19.  

Who Should Attend:

• Senior leadership

• Human Resources Professionals 

• Leaves of Absence Administrators

• Operations Professionals 

• Managers& Supervisors 

• Team/Project LeadersEmployees
  

You may ask your Question directly to our expert during the Q&A session.

** You can buy On-Demand and view it at your convenience.