Is Congress poised to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act again? Late last month, legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow employees who work part-time or for small employers up to two weeks of leave in connection with a family member’s military deployment, thereby expanding the qualifying exigency provisions
Illinois Civil Union Partners Soon May Enjoy Greater Leave Rights Than Married Couples Under a Newly Proposed Illinois Family Medical Leave Act
Illinois currently has no equivalent of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Soon, it may. And unlike the FMLA, the proposed Illinois leave law would allow civil union partners the same leave entitlements currently enjoyed by married couples. Notably, because of the conflicting parameters of state and federal law, the proposed Illinois Family and
Ruh Roh Raggy! A Leave of Absence to Care for Your Pet?
I love my Golden Retriever, Abby. I really do. But this development below is a bit too much, especially for this management-side attorney.
Is it possible that employees in Florida soon may be eligible to take a leave of absence when their pets are abused or subjected to the threat of abuse? As Eric Meyer
Parental Bereavement Act Would Amend FMLA to Provide Leave Upon Death of a Child
Earlier this month, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced the Parental Bereavement Act (S. 1358), which would expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to provide job-protected leave due to the death of an employee’s son or daughter. In a press release, Sen. Tester said he introduced the bill because the “last thing [parents] should be worrying about is whether
Connecticut Poised to Become First State to Mandate Paid Sick Leave
As state governments across the country scramble to plug large holes in their own budgets, they are digging deeper into employers’ pockets. Earlier this week, the Connecticut General Assembly passed legislation that will require employers within the service sector (and with more than 50 employees) to provide paid sick leave to their employees, making the
Where FMLA Bonding Leave is at Issue, Unmarried Parents Have More Generous Leave Rights
The folks at the California Public Agency Labor and Employment blog yesterday raised an issue that has popped up from time to time with our own clients: When it comes to “baby bonding” leave, does the Family and Medical Leave Act provide more generous benefits for unmarried parents than it does for married parents? In
Senator Dodd’s Legacy: The Family and Medical Leave Act
In the upcoming weeks, the halls of Congress will welcome a number of new faces and bid farewell to many other personalities. One of those personalities riding into the sunset is the longtime Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut. Putting aside for now whether you love him or hate him, Senator Dodd leaves at least one significant legacy behind — passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act. As the author of the FMLA, which was passed in 1993, and sponsor of several bills pending in Congress that would expand the FMLA, Senator Dodd clearly has been a strong voice for employees in the workplace.
FMLA Inclusion Act Introduced in Congress . . . again
Is the fifth time the charm? On July 30, 2010, U.S. Senator Richard Durbin introduced the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act, which would broaden the Family and Medical Leave Act to permit leave to care for a same-sex spouse, domestic partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, or grandparent who has a serious health condition. S.B. 3680
Illinois State Treasurer Extends FMLA Benefits to Employees with Same-Sex Partners
Gay and lesbian employees in the Illinois Treasurer’s office who are in a committed relationship will enjoy the same FMLA benefits as married employees under an executive order signed by state treasurer (and U.S. Senate candidate) Alexi Giannoulias Sunday. As a result, these employees will have the same family and medical leave benefits to care for their domestic partner when they suffer from a serious health condition and will be allowed to take time off to have or adopt children.
Pending Legislation Would Significantly Expand FMLA Leave Entitlements for Employees
Last fall, Congress passed and the President signed several amendments to the Family and Medical Leave Act, including an expansion of military leave (2010 Defense Department Authorization Bill) and a relaxation of the hours requirement for airline employees (Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act).
Congress’ willingness to amend portions of the FMLA in