How do weather-related shutdowns impact FMLA leave?

Navigating FMLA compliance during closures

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take up to twelve weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for family or medical reasons. It also requires group health benefits to be maintained during the leave as if employees continued to work instead of taking leave. Under the FMLA, employees are also entitled to return to their same or an equivalent job when their FMLA leave concludes.

While the concept is fairly straightforward, confusion remains around how organizations should calculate leave taken under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) if their worksite is closed due to the weather.

To help mitigate some of the uncertainty and help guide you when calculating time off, this video outlines how weather-related workplace shutdowns impact an employee’s FMLA leave in an easy-to-understand way.

Be proactive with compliance

Compliance with employment law is essential for every HR professional. When managing FMLA leave during unforeseen events, it’s crucial that your team follows the correct protocols. Navigating the complexities of HR compliance can be challenging, but BLR offers the tools to help professionals meet their goals with confidence. Learn more here.