U.S. Department of Labor Seeks Public Comment on Changes To Family and Medical Leave Act Forms

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor has published a notice in the Federal Register announcing a 60-day period for public comment on proposed revisions to optional use forms that the Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) provides for public use in the administration of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

The revisions will make the forms easier to understand for employers, leave administrators, healthcare providers, and employees seeking leave. The revisions will increase compliance with the law, improve customer service, and improve the administration of the law. WHD drafted the revisions with input from the public in letters, interviews, and public meetings.

Improved enforcement provides a more level playing field for employers and ensures workers receive the protections the law provides.

“Workers succeed when they know they don’t have to choose between taking care of themselves or a loved one, and keeping a job,” said Wage and Hour Division Administrator Cheryl M. Stanton. “Proposing these changes to improve compliance under the Family and Medical Leave Act is a win for workers and employers. It’s an important step forward to meet the needs of the rapidly changing 21st century economy.”

The changes will reduce the time it takes a health care provider to provide information, and help leave administrators review and communicate information to employees more directly and clearly, reducing violations.

WHD provides a wide variety of educational compliance assistance tools that explain the law’s requirements on its FMLA webpage.

More information about the proposed changes is available at the Federal Register. The Department encourages any interested members of the public to submit comments about the proposed changes electronically at WHDPRAComments@dol.gov. Comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on October 4, 2019, to be considered.