FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

if 1/2 hr to one hour every Friday is needed off for possibly a couple of months in order to go to an appt for treatments ( PTSD), starting at the end of the day. Meaning, the person would need to leave between
4-4:30, it was suggested by HR to fill out FLMA application for the person to be covered. The person would get paid using PTO but covered in case people question why they are leaving every week on a Friday. That they are not just using the time to start the weekend

The company wont let the person adjust their work hours by 1/2 hr one day a week, meaning come in early to leave early.

Has any one used FLMA for this? any input would be helpful

Message edited 1/29/2019 10:25:23 PM.

FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

I haven't but tbh, that sounds ridiculously inflexible on the part of the boss/manager.

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

I think that's ridiculous. They should allow you to use lunch hr on that day to leave

FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

they dont allow people to take their lunch that late in the day, you must use PTO time

FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

Thats crazy that they are so strict about it but i guess fmla is a way to protect your job

FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

If using FMLA why use PTO? FMLA is paid now in NYS.
A co-worker uses it for physical therapy 2x a week.

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

This explains it better:

Under the new law, you can get paid time off for the following reasons:

to bond with a newly-born, adopted or foster child;
to care for a close relative with a serious health condition; or
to assist when a family member is deployed abroad on active military service.



For 2019, you are allowed to take up to 10 weeks of Paid Family Leave and you will receive 55% of your average weekly wage. The maximum amount, however, is capped at 55% of the State Average Weekly Wage, or $746.41. Unfortunately, the payroll deduction from your wages also increases to 0.153% of your payroll up to a cap of $107.97 per year. Each year thereafter, until 2021, the percentage of your weekly wage and the number of weeks of leave time increases. By 2021, you will be entitled to 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave and can receive up to 67% of your average weekly wage. See the below chart for details. You can take your Paid Family Leave all at one time or you can take it one day at a time, as needed.


So if you read the 3 reasons it can be used, the situation described doesn't seem to fall under FMLA.
So if their HR is suggesting it, they are wrong. And that's a bit scary.

Message edited 1/30/2019 9:39:31 AM.

FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

This is incredibly inflexible. Is this a union job? If so, that is the only time where this would make any sense to me. If this is real PTSD Maybe she is thinking of STD?

Message edited 1/30/2019 12:45:58 PM.

FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

FMLA is federal and paid family leave is at the state level I believe. I don't think this qualifies for paid family leave but it would qualify for FMLA.

I am assuming they won't adjust the schedule for consistency reasons - what you do for one you have to do for others.

I am glad that where I am we are able to be flexible with our staff to achieve a work/life balance.

FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

FMLA and the Paid Leave are two completely different things. They can be used together for certain reasons to get paid but FMLA is used usually sick sick days in order to get paid. It is under the discretion of a company on how you would have to use your time. Unfortunately the company does not have to make a work schedule accommodation and can require you to use your PTO.

Where I work now I am able to come in early and leave early when needed for appointments and they are very flexible. At my last job they were horrible and would never allow that, they were very strict on not taking a lunch since it was a requirement that all non management employees take a lunch break. Managers came and went has they wanted it was BS.

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

Ugh! It sounds like we work at the same company. I was in a similar situation. My boss actually was the one who approached HR and wanted me to take an hour a week FMLA. However, HR had my back and in short, told him it's time to be flexible and we don't have strict policies about this because life isn't cookie cutter and things may come up for some ppl.

I would just fill out the paperwork and take the hour FMLA per week for the peace of mind. Good luck!

Message edited 1/30/2019 3:09:14 PM.

FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

I had someone with a similar situation - except she was coming in late every Thursday. I was completely flexible with her until it had no end in sight. This was going on for months. Then we went the FMLA route. Suddenly it ended. It sucks they're not being flexible.

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

FMLA and NYS Paid Family Leave are two different things.

Basically NYS PFL pays you if you need to take time off to care for someone else . It does not pay you if you need to take time off to take care of yourself. Also NYS PFL must be taken in full days - not half day or hourly leaves.

FMLA is unpaid leave, but your employer has the discretion of allowing you to use your PTO. It is basically just a job and benefits protection program.

You can take both simultaneously, but they are not the same thing and what may be considered leave for NYS PFL may not be considered an allowable FMLA leave and vice versa.

I think it's silly that your employer won't allow you to adjust your hours or take a late lunch time. However, as they are making you use PTO anyway, if they label it as FMLA leave, your job will be protected.

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

PTSD is considered a disability yes? Couldnt that be seen as violating anti disability laws or a discriminatory practice?

FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

Isn’t this exactly what FMLA is for? I don’t see a problem with it.

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

Companies may find that they attract and more importantly RETAIN better talent if they are slightly flexible and treat their employees as adults- not children or prisoners.

Just a thought....

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

that's what FMLA is for- there is nothing wrong with what the employer is doing. I manage a decent sized staff- 20 people trust me if I made an exception for 1 person I would have 19 other people who need to have exceptions made for them.

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

Message edited 1/30/2019 12:23:52 PM.

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR

Re: FLMA to take 1/2 hr to one hour off a week, anyone from HR