How to Track FMLA
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for specific medical and family-related reasons. However, tracking FMLA can be a daunting task for employers. Here are some tips on how to track FMLA to ensure compliance with the law:
Understand FMLA Requirements
Employers should familiarize themselves with the FMLA requirements to ensure they follow the law correctly. This includes knowing who is eligible for FMLA leave and what qualifies as a serious health condition, among other requirements.
Develop a Tracking System
Employers should develop or purchase a system to monitor FMLA leave. This can be done by using a spreadsheet or software program that tracks all required information, such as the leave duration, the reason for leave, and the employee’s FMLA eligibility status.
Communicate with Employees
Employers should communicate with employees who take FMLA leave to ensure that they understand their rights and responsibilities and receive all legally required notices. This can include providing employees with a copy of the FMLA policy and answering any questions they may have.
Train Leaders
Leaders should be trained on how to handle FMLA requests and how to track FMLA leave properly. They should also be aware of the consequences of violating FMLA regulations.
Monitor Absenteeism
Employers should monitor employee absenteeism and watch for patterns that may indicate concern. This can include carefully documenting sick leave, personal leave and vacation time to ensure employees are not improperly designated taking FMLA leave when they are not eligible.
Keep Accurate Records
Employers should keep accurate records of FMLA leave to ensure compliance with the law. This includes maintaining records of leave requests, leave taken and any correspondence with employees regarding FMLA leave.
In conclusion, tracking FMLA can be a challenging task for employers, but it is essential for compliance with the law. By understanding the FMLA requirements, developing a FMLA tracker, communicating with employees, training your leadership team, monitoring absenteeism, and keeping accurate records, employers can help ensure that they are following the law correctly and treating employees fairly.
This blog is up to date as of January 2024 and has not been updated for changes in the law, administration or current events.
