The United States Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently announced significant steps to streamline optional-use forms that workers can use to request and employers can use to coordinate leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). WHD also published a Request for Information (RFI) in the Federal Register seeking the public’s feedback on the law’s administration and use.
WHD’s new forms are intended to be simpler and easier for employees, employers, leave administrators and healthcare providers to understand and use. Revised with substantial public input, the forms include more questions that users can answer by checking a response box and electronic signature features to reduce contact. WHD believes the changes will reduce the time users spend providing information, improve communications between leave applicants and administrators and reduce the likelihood of violations.
The Department routinely reviews its policies to ensure its regulations reflect changes in the workplace and published the RFI to obtain feedback on challenges or best practices in the use and administration of the FMLA. Information collected will help the Department identify areas for additional compliance assistance to ensure the FMLA is understood by employers and employees alike.
For more information about the FMLA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the Division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available at www.dol.gov/agencies/whd. For AGC resources on the FMLA, visit AGC’s Labor & HR Topical Resources page and select the main category “Leave” and subcategory “Family and Medical Leave Act.” (You must first login as an AGC member to access all resources.)