FMLA & USERRA Protection Lawyers
Protecting Families & Military Service Members
Recognizing the need to protect the rights of families and military service personnel, Congress has enacted the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). These acts allow employees the right to go on extended leave to attend to important family matters, health issues, or military service.
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If your employer is preventing you from taking your federally-sanctioned time off work or have retaliated against you for doing so, you have a right to take them to court! With more than five decades of combined experience advocating for the rights of employees, our Indianapolis employment law attorneys offer the tough legal counsel you deserve to assert your right to extended leave.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Under The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), federal law grants eligible employees up to 12 weeks off from work within a 12-month period to tend to specified family matters or health concerns. Family members of active military service personnel may qualify for additional leave. FMLA also mandates that your employee health benefits continue under the same conditions during your leave and once you return.
FMLA allows an employee to take time off work for the following events:
- The birth or adoption of a child
- Caring for a family member with a serious health condition
- Handling the demands resulting from a family member's military deployment
- Recovery from a serious medical concern
Regardless of whether you take your allotted time off all at once or in increments, you are entitled to be restored to your original position or its equivalent when you return. This includes all previously agreed upon terms and conditions of employment, including benefits. An employer may not count your time off against you or retaliate against you in any way for taking FMLA leave.
Notifying Your Employer of Foreseeable Leave
Certain life events, such as a sudden illness or unexpected injury are unforeseeable and do not require prior notification be given to your employer. However, taking leave for foreseeable matters, such as scheduled medical treatments for a serious health concern, do require that you notify your employer ahead of time.
The regulations governing how much notice you must give an employer vary greatly and are quite complex. If you are planning on taking FMLA leave in the near future, contact our firm immediately! Our insightful employment law attorneys can advise you of your rights and detail your legal responsibilities so you can make informed decisions that will be protected under your FMLA leave.
What You Need to Know About USERRA
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) offers protection of employment rights to individuals who have served in the U.S. military. In many ways, USERRA functions like FMLA does. USERRA grants an individual up to five years of leave, and it also prohibits employers from firing these employees without cause for up to one year after the employee returns.
In addition, USERRA mandates that employers reinstate the employee to their original position, or an equivalent position with all promotions and benefits they may have obtained if they had not left for military duty. Protections in Indiana state law extend to military reserve members as well— reserve personnel must be granted up to 15 days’ leave per year for training purposes. Employers who prevent employees from taking their allotted time off of work may have criminal sanctions imposed on them.
Know your rights. Receive an evaluation today!
Congress places a high value on family bonds and military service. If your employer has inhibited your right to take FMLA or USERRA leave or has retaliated against you for taking time off, you can take legal action!
