January 31, 2008

Employee Benefit News

FMLA Expanded to Help Military Families

The first-ever expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act went into effect earlier this week when President Bush signed the 2008 Defense Authorization bill. The bill provides additional FMLA coverage to military personnel and their families, extending unpaid family and medical leave for up to six months for the families of wounded military personnel.

Experts warn, however, that there could be delays and confusion surrounding the expansion that could impact employers. Jim Brown of FMLASource, an affiliate of ComPsych, a Chicago-based provider of employee assistance programs, says there will be questions about “next of kin” language because the law allows 26 weeks off for an injured service person’s family.