Legal Issues Impacting Your Business

For almost two years, the United States Department of Labor has been working on new regulations regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Proposed regulations were issued in February of 2008, and numerous comments were received on the rules. Final rules have now been published and will take effect on January 16, 2009. In addition to updating FMLA policies and forms and requiring more effective communication, the rules also provide the first administrative guidance regarding the National Defense Authorization Act, which allows employees to take FMLA leave because of a "qualifying exigency" arising out of a family member being on active duty in the armed forces and which grants unpaid military caregiver leave of up to 26 weeks.

For more information, contact any Labor and Employment attorney.