CalBizCentral, the compliance division of the California Chamber of Commerce, announced today the availability of the updated 2009 California and Federal Employment Poster that includes the new required federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) poster reflecting the expanded benefits for military families.
Originally passed by Congress in 1993, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows workers unpaid time off — without jeopardizing job security — when qualifying personal or family needs arise. FMLA now provides additional leave rights to military personnel and their families. The federal Department of Labor (DOL) has provided an additional posting to address the recent changes in the federal law.
“Under the FMLA regulations that go into effect in January 2009, employers have new guidance on how to administer a request for leave any time a soldier receives deployment orders. Under the new law a soldier’s family members, which includes spouses, sons, daughters, parents, will be eligible for 12 weeks of protected leave from their job,” said Jessica Hawthorne, employment law counsel with CalChamber and CalBizCentral.
Additionally, qualified military family members may take up to 26 weeks of protected leave to care for the disabled veteran.
“CalBizCentral can help employers by giving them the necessary tools to follow the law and inform their employees about these important expanded benefits for military families, “continued Hawthorne. “CalBizCentral is already a step ahead, offering businesses the materials that will help them start off the new year in full compliance.”
For easy reference, the new “qualifying exigencies” — the allowed reasons to take up to 12 weeks of the new leave — for military families under the FMLA can be seen online at www.calbizcentral.com/required.
These include:
o Short notice deployment;
o Attendance at official military events or activities;
o Arranging or providing childcare;
o Attending school or daycare meetings;
o Handling financial and legal matters; and
o Rest and recuperation visits when the soldier is on leave.
CalBizCentral’s 2009 Required Notices Kit and 2009 California and Federal Employment Poster reflect all the new changes to the FMLA. Spanish versions are also available. Please go to www.CalBizCentral.com for more information.
About CalChamber
The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) is the largest broad-based business advocate to government in California. Membership represents one-quarter of the private sector jobs in California and includes firms of all sizes and companies from every industry within the state. Leveraging our front-line knowledge of laws and regulations, we provide products and services to help businesses comply with both federal and state law. CalChamber, a not-for-profit organization with roots dating to 1890, promotes international trade and investment in order to stimulate California's economy and create jobs. Please visit our website at www.calchamber.com.
About CalBizCentral
CalBizCentral is a one-stop site for products that answer California and federal labor law and HR questions, alleviate confusion and allow businesses to focus their time and effort on their work. For more information or to review CalBizCentral’s products, please visit www.calbizcentral.com.
