take two.jpgThe feedback from last week’s blog post on annual FMLA certification came fast and furious.  Most of it was complimentary (thank you!), but several of my fellow FMLA nerds raised an interesting issue.  They noted that the FMLA regulation covering “annual” certifications does not specifically state that the certification in the new FMLA

busted2.jpgThe DOL is on a roll, and employers can’t be amused. Over the past few months, the Department of Labor seemingly has issued statement after statement after statement announcing settlements it has reached with various employers in conjunction with alleged FMLA violations. Heck, DOL now even has its own blog highlighting its recent FMLA enforcement

Q: We requested that an employee have his health care provider complete FMLA medical certification in conjunction with what appears to be an FMLA-related absence.  The employee has been off work for 30 days and we still have not received certification.  Can we count any of these days as unexcused absences?

A: Before you get