FMLA vent

Irie

I am so sick and tired of reminding people about returning FMLA certifications I could scream. Shouldn't people have to be responsible for themselves without us having to remind them they have a week before the paperwork is due, then another reminder that they have another seven days since they didn't get it in when it was due? I'd love to deny the leave but my employer would never let me. (So the Certification is pretty much moot but I still want to go through the steps to protect myself.)

Is anyone else tired of this? Thanks for listening.

NaeNae55

Yes. Your welcome.

HRQ

Ditto.

We also do not deny Leave for failure to return forms. Would be nice to have that luxury. No, instead, I get to harass the employee and their supervisor until they grudgingly comply. They love it when I do that. Makes them feel needed.

LindaS

If you do not have support from upper management to deny the leave you are left playing babysitter to these employees. I, luckily, do not have that problem. If the EE does not return the certification within the timeframe given they receive a letter from me stating their leave request has been denied unless they can provide reasonable explanation for their failure to return them as required.

Irie

You are very fortunate Linda.

davids

We have denied FMLA when an employee does not return certification forms. However, we do provide the employee an additional week before denying the leave. My experience is that the hold up is usually with the doctor's office. Although, ultimately, the employee is responsible for ensuring the forms are returned, the employee should be provided an opportunity to light a fire under the doctor.

Also, when an employee is dealing with a serious health issue, whether their own or that of a family member, returning the forms is not the first thing on their minds.