Family Medical Leave Act changes

March 3rd, 2008 at 05:10pm Nate Legue

The Department of Labor just proposed new rules for the Family Medical Leave Act, the 15-year-old law that was a centerpiece of President Bill Clinton’s first-term agenda.

The law was created in 1993 to give workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a sick family member or a newborn child. Of course, the law is a bit more complicated in the real world. In the 15 years since its enactment, the law has been through legal battles, including some Supreme Court decisions. The DOL has extensive compliance requirements — the new regulations alone are more than 120 pages long.

The biggest changes to the law concern new entitlements. Under the proposed rules, a worker can take up to 12 weeks off when family members are called to active military duty. Workers can also take up to 26 weeks off in a 12-month period to care for an injured service member.

A local human resource management firm is offering a free breakfast seminar to educate companies about how the proposed rules could affect them.

Samuel J. Castree, senior vice president and counsel at Staff Management Inc., will explain the new rules from 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center. A continental breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 a.m.

To reserve a spot, call Barb Heinzeroth at 815-282-3900 or email her.

Entry Filed under: Events, Benefits