Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Q&A
The Family and Medical Leave Act is used when an employee will be absent from work for more than five days. It offers you important protections including job protection (unless the job would have been eliminated even if not on FMLA leave) and continuation of the MBL’s contributions to Medical and Dental Insurance (you will still be responsible for your own share of the premiums).
Below are some frequently asked questions about the FMLA. If you have any additional questions, contact Cathy Schmidt in Human Resources at x7422 or visit the FMLA policy in the Human Resources section of the MBL website.
Q. How long may I be on FMLA leave?
A. If indicated by a doctor, you may take up to twelve weeks for reasons including you own serious illness, the birth or adoption of a child, or the serious illness of your spouse, parent or child up to age 18 (or an older child who is “incapable of self-care”). You are limited to twelve weeks in a rolling year, not a calendar year. This means if you take twelve weeks beginning in July, you are not again eligible until the following July.
Q. What do I need to do to start my FMLA leave?
A. In the event of a foreseeable leave, 30 days notice is required. Obviously if there is an emergency, this will not apply. You must complete a Leave of Absence form which you should send to Human Resources. You will then get a letter explaining the FMLA process including the need for you to provide medical certification. A form will be sent to you (or you may find it on the HR page of the MBL website) which your doctor will need to complete. This should be returned within 15 days to the Human Resources office.
Q. I have enough sick time to cover my absence. I don’t need FMLA, right?
A. Wrong. FMLA leave will run concurrent with your use of sick time. The timing of these types of absences is often unpredictable and your leave may need to be extended beyond the availability of your accrued sick time. Even when you have accruals available, there needs to be approval for the extended absence. So, any time you will be out for more than five days, you will need to provide the paperwork described above.
Q. What if it is a Worker’s Compensation injury?
A. FMLA leave will run concurrent with your Worker’s Compensation absence.
Q. Will my leave be paid or unpaid?
A. Your leave will be paid to the extent that you have accrued enough sick time and vacation time to cover the leave. Vacation time does not need to be used during a maternity leave, but will be used for other leaves after sick time has been exhausted. If your leave becomes unpaid you will be responsible for paying your share of any health or dental premiums.
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Employee Discounts Reminder
You may be able to save money on some of the products or services you commonly use just by being an MBL employee. Employees are currently eligible for discounts from a variety of businesses, including:
- Bank of America
Discounts and bonuses on banking services
- Falmouth Sports Center
Pay a discounted group rate for membership
- Falmouth Firestone
10% discount on all products and services–just mention that you work at the MBL
- Jiffy Lube
15% discount on all services with discount cards available from Human Resources
- Mass Buying Power
Discounts on a variety of products and services including a coupon book from Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. Go to www.massbuyingpower.com using MBP as the sign in and the password.
- Met Life Auto and Homeowners Insurance
A discounted group rate is available. Call 1-800-GET MET8 or go to www.metlife.com and use AP7 for the employer access code.
- Rocky's Gym
Waiver or discount on membership fee
- Sullivan Tire
10% discount on all products and services, discount cards available from Human Resources
- Verizon Wireless
6% discount on the monthly access fee on qualifying voice plans. Visit www.verizonwireless.com for more information.
In addition, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts offers discounts on things like SonicCare toothbrushes, bicycle helmets, baby products, and a $150 bonus for joining a health club or weight loss program. Go to www.bcbsma.com for more information.
And don’t forget our own MBL Associates Gift Shop! Employees receive a 10% discount year-round on all items.
For questions or more information, contact Cathy Schmidt in Human Resources at x7422.
The MBL does not endorse any of the products and/or companies listed above.
International Potluck Brings Global Diversity to the Table
On May 10, the MBL Activities Committee held another of its lunch time potlucks, this time with an international theme. The event was planned by MBL employees Susan Goux, Carmen Houser, Lisa Hunt, Becky Mountford, and Matt Person, with the creative input of MBL foreign national employees Laila Naihum of Brazil and Vicenta Salvador of Spain. About 35 people attended the luncheon and the array of food from around the world was amazing. Prior to the event many of MBL’s international staff members assisted by providing interesting cultural facts about their country. Everyone who attended the event received a cultural information sheet, and at the end of the lunch an international food basket was raffled off. Irina Arkhipova, who works in the Bay Paul Center, won the raffle.
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