Employees don’t always give their employers much notice that they need FMLA leave. Nor are they always specific.
Now the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a ruling that clarifies what’s expected of both employer and employee in such circumstances. The case is Righi v. SMC (No. 09-1775, 7th Cir., 2011).
Leave required boss approval
Robert Righi worked as a sales representative for SMC Corp. in Illinois. Righi, who usually worked from home, was required to check in daily with Louis King, his manager. Righi and King usually communicated by e-mail or via Righi’s company-issued cell phone.
Righi’s mother frequently needed medical attention and Righi often took leave to care for her.
SMC has a policy that requires employees to obtain a supervisor’s approval before taking leave. The company’s attendance policy says failing to report for work for two consecutive days without notifying a supervisor is grounds for termination....(register to read more)
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