U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Georgia Department of Human Services Reinstating and Paying Employee $18,910 in Lost Wages

MACON, GA – The Georgia Department of Human Services - operating as Bibb County Division of Family and Children Services in Macon, Georgia - has paid an employee $18,910 in lost wages and reinstated her to her former position after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

WHD investigators found that when the employee requested leave for an FMLA-qualifying health condition and provided documentation supporting that request, the Georgia Department of Human Services failed to provide the worker with required notice of her eligibility, failed to notify the employee of her rights and responsibilities under the FMLA, and terminated her employment.

"Many Americans rely on the Family and Medical Leave Act for critically needed workplace flexibility precisely when they need it the most," said Wage and Hour Division District Director Eric Williams, in Atlanta. "The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to enforcing the law and educating employers to ensure employees are not prevented from exercising their FMLA rights."

For more information about the FMLA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available at https://www.dol.gov/whd.