No Bull Business Blog

New FMLA rules provide employer leeway

Excerpted from the executive report: The New FMLA Rules: What Employers Need to Know Now

The new FMLA rules give employers more leeway in what they ask for when seeking certification of a serious medical condition. The paperwork can now include the physician's area of specialization, specific facts pertinent to the employee's condition, and whether intermittent or other leave is medically necessary.

The new regs include an optional form, WH-380E: New Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee's Serious Health Condition, which is for the employers use.

Under the old rules, employers couldn't check directly with employees' medical providers when further information was needed to determine FMLA leave eligibility. Companies could ask for an opinion from another healthcare professional - but the firm had to pick up the tab.

The new regs allow employers - with authorization from the employee - to contact the worker's physician directly if clarification or authentication is needed.

But there's a catch: The individual contacting the doctor has to be one of the following:

• a health care professional
• a Human Resources staffer
• a leave administrator, or
• a member of upper management.

The rules expressly prevent the employee's direct supervisor from making contact with the worker's medical provider.

DIGGING DEEPER

The new FMLA rules, which take effect Jan. 16, 2009, make some significant changes. And employers must make those changes to be in compliance. Get all the details in the executive report: The New FMLA Rules: What Employers Need to Know Now

 

Get a grip – toss the paperwork

Excerpted from the Executive Report: Get More Done in Less Time

 

Even though a lot of communication comes via e-mail, we're still not a paperless society. And the paperwork that flows into our office can kill productivity if handled poorly.

 

Here's how to tame some of the paper:

• Sort and handle papers in the inbox only twice a day.

• Throw out rough drafts once the final is done.

• Highlight the important info on a document to avoid having to sift through it again.

• Toss memos immediately after you mark the date and info on a calendar.

• Request summaries and recommendations with lengthy reports. And create them when you write your own reports.

• Keep these folders to file what you receive and don't toss

• • To do (for things that must be acted on by the end of the day
  • Reading (for long reports and industry publications)Personal (for the good-to-know stuff
  • Training (for useful info on personal and professional development)
  • Upcoming events (details you need that aren't written on the calendar)
  • Projects (one for each that is current)

• If you put something aside more than three times, ask "How likely will I ever need it?" If the answer is "Not likely," toss it.

DIGGING DEEPER

Getting leaner means being more efficient. Good managers can’t afford to waste time. For help, check out the Executive Report: Get More Done in Less Time.