Survey Finds 84% of Organizations Subject to FMLA Offer Some Type of Paid Family and Medical Leave

75% of Organizations Find Handling Intermittent Family and Medical Leave Challenging

Brookfield, Wisconsin ó A recent survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans reviews nationwide approaches to family and medical leave. The findings are published in the latest installment in the Survey and Sample Series, Family and Medical Leave.

A noteworthy segment of the respondents offer paid leave for situations beyond the scope of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). ï25% of organizations that allow paid family and medical leave offer it for the care of a seriously ill domestic partner.

ï23% offer paid leave for the care of a seriously ill family member outside what is specified in FMLA, such as a grandparent, grandchild, sibling or parent-in-law.

ï31% offer paid leave for other reasons, such as nonserious health conditions, parentñteacher conferences, medical procedures not covered by FMLA and doctor appointments for family members.

In addition to handling intermittent leave, respondents found numerous other aspects of FMLA administration challenging, including recordkeeping/tracking use of leave; determining what constitutes a serious health condition; communicating with physicians and other health care providers; and coordinating FMLA with workersí compensation, long- and short-term disability, state laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The report includes 70 sample family and medical leave policies, forms and checklists. Results are compiled from 241 responses of U.S. corporate benefit managers, public employers and professional service providers.

The Survey and Sample Series was created to provide survey data and samples on a variety of employee benefits topics to allow benefits professionals to compare their plans to others, determine trends and costs, and better manage their plans. Also available in the series are Flexible Benefit Plans and FSAs, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Auditing and Legal Services: Sample RFPs, Education Assistance Plans, Disaster Planning and Wellness Programs. For more information, visit www.ifebp.org/surveysample.

Family and Medical Leave is 475 pages and is available for $112 (I.F. Members $45), plus shipping and handling. Order a copy online at www.ifebp.org/surveysample or call (888) 334-3327, option 4. Item #6252. Available in print, e-book (pdf) and CD-ROM formats.