If we give an extra week, are we asking for trouble?

HR inWA

We have an employee who has been out on FMLA for 12 weeks due to the birth of her child. She wants to take an extra week of unpaid time off. Her manager doesn't have a problem with this. My concern is - are we opening the door for everyone else to take an extra week if we allow this one employee to take an extra week?

sonny

In my opinion, yes.

POPEYE

Agree with sonny. Unless you have a State Maternity Leave like we do in TN that gives 16 weeks.

lorrie

Aside from FMLA, do you have an attendance policy that would allow an employee to take a week off for personal reasons? We have a point system, and taking a week off for personal reasons would cost the person 3 points (they are allowed 12 points per year.) This would allow an employee (new parent or any other personal reason) to decide how important that week was to them. If they don't abuse the attendance in other ways they could probably be ok taking the week. If they have already used up their attendance points, then we would not allow the extra week.