Have You Used the FMLA?
Judi Casey March 18th, 2009
Recently (2/10-3/11/09), the Sloan Network posted a poll on people’s use of the FMLA. Here’s what the sixty-six respondents indicated:
36% had not used the FMLA
30% had used all 12 weeks
15% had only used some of the FMLA
9% indicated that they were not eligible (business too small or not at their job long enough)
9% wanted to use it, but could not afford time-off without pay
As of January 16, 2009, there are some important changes to the FMLA, including leave for caretakers of military personnel as well as leave for families with family members in the National Guard and Reserves.
We have numerous resources on the FMLA at the Network including a Topic Page, Fact Sheet, a Class Activity from our Teaching Resources page, Policy Leadership Series, and Work and Family Policy in the Judiciary.
Check out our new poll on the economic climate and your work-family lifestyle at our home page or blog. Prior poll results are available here.
As an employer and owner of a small company is there any type of service or information that is provided to make sure that an associate is eligible. I want to make the right decision for myself and the associate. Thank you Mike
Mike,
Thanks so much for your question. It is important to determine first whether your company is covered under the FMLA. Only employers with more than 50 employees living within a 75 mile radius must offer FMLA. Second, it is critical to determine whether your employees are eligible. To be eligible for FMLA, employees must have worked for a covered employer for the previous year and for at least 1,250 hours. For more information about the FMLA, please see: http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/new/encyclopedia_template.php?id=234&topic=7&linktype=encyc&area=All .
Still, in the event that your business is not covered under the FMLA, there are sound business reasons to provide leave to your employees on a voluntary basis. Employers who provide leave often find that they have reduced turnover, reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, and increased employee loyalty. For more information, please see: http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/pdfs/minib_smallbusiness.pdf and http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/pdfs/policy_makers13.pdf .
I think Family Medical Leave is a wonderful benefit. So many people are afraid of loosing their jobs now and as their parents age and have heath problems, are sometimes very torn with these decisions. I think companies that not only offer it, but encourage employees to take advantage of it (and NOT fear for their job) build tremendous good will.