Helping You Understand Your Rights Under The Family And Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was created to protect your job while you care for your or a family member’s medical needs. Unfortunately, not every employer respects these protections. When your leave is denied or you are punished for taking it, it is important to contact an attorney. A knowledgeable FMLA lawyer can assess your situation and help you protect your rights.
I have spent over 30 years standing up for employees in Michigan. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I built a career protecting civil rights and defending workers across the state, including in Traverse City and Marquette.
How Does FMLA Work For Employees In Michigan?
FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year for specific reasons, including:
- Personal or family medical issues
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Military family leave
To qualify, you must have worked at least 12 months for your employer and logged at least 1,250 hours in the past year. Despite these rights, employees are often denied leave or face retaliation for requesting it. If this is the case, you should consider contacting a lawyer to uphold your rights and hold your employer accountable.
Intermittent FMLA Leave Explained
In addition to taking time off all at once, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows employees to take intermittent leave. This means you can take smaller chunks of time off for medical needs that come up now and then, instead of using all 12 weeks in one go. For many workers in Michigan, this option works well for managing ongoing health issues, regular treatments, or a family member’s health needs that pop up unexpectedly.
Common Reasons For Intermittent FMLA Leave
You might need intermittent leave for situations like these:
You might need intermittent leave for various reasons, such as:
- Chemotherapy or dialysis appointments
- Prenatal visits or recovery appointments after giving birth
- Caring for a child with asthma
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation sessions
- Sudden flare-ups of ongoing health conditions that you cannot plan ahead for
If you have the right medical documents, your employer must treat even a few hours away from work as protected leave.
Pushback From Employers On Intermittent Leave
Even though the law clearly protects intermittent leave, some employers resist it. For example, an employer may insist you take all your leave at once, while others may discipline you for taking shorter amounts of time off. Additionally, some employers try to push workers to schedule medical care at times that suit the business, which isn’t always possible nor is it allowed under the law.
If your employer has blocked, restricted, or penalized you for taking intermittent leave, it’s a good idea to talk to an attorney. At Roumel Law, I assist employees in standing up for their rights and addressing unfair employer actions so you can focus on your health and family.
How To Navigate Michigan FMLA Disputes
During an FMLA dispute, you should be mindful of the following to increase your chances of getting a favorable outcome:
- Document everything: keep records of all of your leave requests and your employer’s responses
- Speak to an attorney to determine whether your rights were violated
- File a complaint with the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor
Your Job, Your Health, Your Rights
If you are in Michigan and suspect your rights have been violated, contact Roumel Law today. Call Roumel Law or fill out the online form today to get in touch with an attorney.
