If you have questions about protected leave, please reach out the Protected Leave Officers at [email protected] or 541-737-5946. They are available to consult with you regarding your questions and concerns in navigating protected leave programs with your employees. Please review the notices they send regarding leave eligibility and designation. These notices include information including dates of designated leave and supervisor action steps. Please help to ensure your employee is accurately paid while on leave. You can assist with this by reviewing the employee’s timesheet to ensure the employee is accurately recording FMLA/OFLA leave usage. Approving the timesheet in a timely manner each month is key for timely/accurate pay as well. If you have timesheet questions, please reach out to [email protected] or 541-737-5946 for assistance from the Protected Leave Officers.
Remember to Check In During the Leave
During a typical week, managers meet with their teams for check-ins. Similarly, plan to check in periodically with your team member on leave. Create an individualized schedule that works for you and the team member before they go out on leave if possible. A good starting point is checking in on a monthly basis, but of course this depends on the length of the leave. Keeping up even occasional communication will help your team member feel valued and engaged when they are out of the office, and it demonstrates your confidence in and support of their work. You can talk with your employee to find the method of communication that best suits them, whether it’s quick emails or phone calls.
It is important to maintain the privacy of employee by not asking for details about the health condition or leave reason in your check in communications. Also, refrain from sharing details of their leave with other employees.
Please update the FMLA office if you are notified of a change in employee’s need for leave or if an employee asks you about extending their leave at [email protected].
Intermittent Leave
Employees on intermittent leave are expected to perform the duties of their position when they are at work. This can be a more complex type of protected leave to navigate. It is okay to request that employees follow normal call-in requirements and procedures while on intermittent leave. Clarify with the employee if the absences are related to the protected leave or for another reason if this is not clear on their timesheet.
Reach Out Right Before Their Return
You may have completed a check-in or two with your employee while they were out on leave. Even more important than a brief check-in is the communication right before the staff member returns to the office. It is important to ask about how they would like their return approached. Sometimes the employee might want to return without a lot of fanfare. It is important to honor privacy in terms of what the staff member wants to divulge. An example of a return announcement might be: “Amara will be back in the office on May 6.” It’s simple, but it gets the job done.
Think Through the Details of Their Return
Consider how you can create meaningful touchpoints that create a welcoming experience. For instance, you might stop by to welcome them back after they get settled the first day. Let them know you have a meeting scheduled mid-morning to update them on project status, work transition plans and information they might have missed when they were out. Focus on providing background on projects and results. Take time to answer questions they may have. This extra time and effort will help the staff member get oriented and set them up for success to step back into their role. Schedule time for check-ins the first few weeks of their return to ensure communication during the transition. A short transition period is normal.
Employees are expected to complete the essential functions of their position upon their return unless there are accommodations in place with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA). Restrictions on work duties are not protected by leave laws. If there are work restrictions and requested accommodations you will be contacted by EOA about this. If an employee mentions restrictions or you have concerns that the employee is not able to complete the essential functions of their job please reach out to [email protected] or EOA. Supervisors can consult with their department’s HR Strategic Partner if they would like assistance navigating the employee’s return to work in terms of team dynamics, work assignments or performance concerns.