New FMLA Forms with FFCRA Guidelines as Per DOL!

The Department of Labor (Department) is seeking information from the public regarding the regulations implementing the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA or the Act). The Department is publishing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather information concerning the effectiveness of the current regulations and to aid the Department in its administration of the FMLA. The information provided will help the Department identify topics for which additional compliance assistance could be helpful, including opportunities for outreach to ensure employers are aware of their obligations under the law, and employees are informed about their rights and responsibilities in using FMLA leave. The deadline for public feedback is September 12, 2020.

Now that the Department of Labor has issued new FMLA forms and the New Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is in place it is critical for Employers and Leaders to be knowledgeable about the impact and the compliance consequences. Although there are many updates provided by many different resources, it is imperative that Employers and Leaders count on the experts to explain health resources and compliance experts to assist them with the regulations since they are happening and changing daily.

The FFCRA was based on the FMLA with added amendments to accommodate the changes and resources for the COVID-19. It established paid sick leave under certain criteria and an expanded leave to accommodate employees who are unable to work due to school closures.

Moreover, as Employers mistakenly shut down training costs, they are doing a disservice to the company and to their employees. Research has proven that compliance training is the lowest cost/high-value risk management Strategy. Training Leaders have provided a huge resource on how companies can prepare for the transition during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

• What are the New FMLA forms and what are the changes?
• The DOL has requested feedback on the FMLA process Request for Information (RFI). What topics were identified?
• What was there an initiation of new FMLA Forms and what were the reasons for changes?
• When can you use the new FMLA forms?
• How has the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the FMLA?
• How do FMLA and FFCRA interact?
• What deadlines need to be addressed
• How do FMLA and the FFCRA impact employees?
• What are the requirements for the FFCRA and the impact in the workplace?
• What is each of the factors that make an employee eligible for leave under the FFCRA?
• How does paid Family Expanded leaves provide assistance to employees with symptoms?
• What is the actual rate of pay that is calculated for eligibility?
• How much leave is granted for those employees caring for a family member who is quarantined?
• What if employees do not want to return to work?
• What confirmation is needed for certification of eligibility of FFCRA?
• How can you apply for leave under the FFCRA?
• What is the difference between Furloughs and Layoffs?

There are so many competing resources that can impact how communication is handled and most of the communication is life-threatening for businesses and employees. Let’s count on the HR and Compliance subject matter experts (SME) to provide the Employers and employees with the necessary communication needed. Most HR professionals are in need of accurate, timely, and relevant information to ensure the continuation of a safe workplace.

Employers need to have guidance from their regulatory agencies on how to handle the pandemic in the workplace. There are several best practices on how to return to work safely and how to handle difficult situations and inquiries by employees to have the confidence to return to work.

When you add the complexities of other new mandatory regulations like leave/paid regulations, reasonable accommodation and currently or soon to be legally effective, the possibility of FMLA overlapping with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA),

This training will teach all attendees the critical information needed to mitigate all the requirements to stay afloat and to communicate effectively to employees to ensure accurate information on health, safety, paid leave and other resources offered to survive this pandemic.

• All Employers
• Business Owners
• Company Leadership
• Compliance professionals
• Payroll Administrators
• HR Professionals
• Compliance Professionals
• Managers/Supervisors
• Employers in all industries
• Small Business Owners
• All Employers
• Large Business Owners
• Company Leadership
• HR professionals

Margie Faulk is a senior level human resources professional with over 15 years of HR management and compliance experience. A current Compliance Advisor for HR Compliance Solutions, LLC, Margie, has worked as an HR Compliance advisor for major corporations and small businesses in the small, large, private, public and Non-profit sectors.  Margie has provided small to large businesses with risk management strategies that protect companies and reduces potential workplace fines and penalties from violation of employment regulations. Margie is bilingual (Spanish) fluent and Bi-cultural.

Margie’s area of expertise includes Criminal Background Screening Policies and auditing, I-9 document correction and storage compliance, Immigration compliance, employee handbook development, policy development, sexual harassment investigations/certified training, SOX regulations, payroll compliance, compliance consulting, monitoring US-based federal, state and local regulations, employee relations issues, internal investigations, HR management, compliance consulting, internal/external audits, and performance management.
Margie is a speaker and accomplished trainer and has created and presented compliance seminars/webinars for over 16 US and International compliance institutes. Margie has testified as a compliance subject matter expert (SME) for several regulatory agencies and against regulatory agencies, thank goodness not on the same day. Margie offers compliance training to HR professionals, business owners, and leadership to ensure compliance with workplace and regulations. 
Margie’s unique training philosophy includes providing free customized tools for all attendees. These tools are customized and have been proven to be part an effective risk management strategy. Some of the customized tools include the I-9 Self Audit. Correction and Storage program, Ban the Box Decision Matrix Policy that Employers can provide in a dispute for allegations, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Compliance Guide, Drug-Free Workplace Volatile Termination E-Book and other compliance program tools when attendees register and attend Margie’s trainings.
Margie holds professional human resources certification (PHR) from the HR Certification Institution (HRCI) and SHRM-CP certification from the Society for Human Resources Management. Margie is a member of the Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics (SCCE).