University Policies

827 Family, Medical, and Servicemember Leave

Approved by President
Effective Date: June 4, 2024
Responsible Division: Business and Finance
Responsible Office: Human Resource Services
Responsible Officer: Assistant Vice President, Human Resource Services

I. Purpose

In compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, (FMLA, FML, or the Act) it is the policy of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU or University) to provide eligible employees up to twelve (12) work weeks of leave during a twelve (12)-month period for family or medical leave or for a qualifying exigency; or, up to twenty-six (26) work weeks of leave for military caregiver leave during a twelve (12)-month period for reasons specified in this policy, to provide continued health insurance coverage during the leave period, and to insure employee reinstatement to the same or an equivalent position following the leave period.

This policy applies to eligible employees as defined below.

II. Definitions

State. Any State agency, the Board of Regents, state university, and/or the University of Tennessee system, for purposes of this policy.
Other definitions are part of the policy text.

III. Employee Eligibility

In order to be considered eligible, an employee must: (1) have worked for the State for at least twelve (12) months; and, (2) have worked at least 1,250 hours during the year preceding the start of the leave.
The determination of whether an employee meets the eligibility criteria for receiving FML is based on the amount of service (including prior service) the employee has as of the date the leave actually begins.
This policy applies to both regular and temporary employees.
The right to take FML applies equally to male and female employees.
This policy contains no exceptions for key employees (i.e., a salaried FML-eligible employee who is among the highest paid ten percent (10%) of all the employees of the institution).
The twelve (12) months of required work with the State do not have to be consecutive in order for an employee to be eligible. However, employment prior to a break in service lasting seven (7) or more years will not be counted unless the break was due to fulfillment of a National Guard or Reserve military service obligation.The time served performing the military service must also be counted in determining whether the employee has been employed for at least twelve (12) months by the employer.
If an employee is maintained on the payroll for any part of a week, that week is considered a week of employment, with fifty-two (52) weeks of such employment considered equal to twelve (12) months.
In determining hours worked for the purposes of FML eligibility, all hours actually worked by an employee, including overtime hours, should be calculated.
1. Annual and sick leave hours which have been used during the twelve (12)-month period preceding the start of the leave are not counted as hours worked.
2. In situations where a full-time employee is considered exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and no record of overtime hours worked has been maintained, the employee is presumed to have met the 1,250 hour requirement if they have worked for the State for at least twelve (12) months.
3. For purposes of this policy, full-time faculty satisfy the 1,250 hour test.
The determination of eligibility must be made as of the date the leave commences or within five (5) business days, absent extenuating circumstances, of when notification of an FML qualifying event has been received.
1. If an employee gives notice that leave is required before meeting the eligibility criteria, they must either be:
  1. Provided with confirmation of when eligibility will be attained, based upon a projection; or
  2. Advised when the criteria have been met.
2. In the latter case, the notice of leave will remain current and outstanding until the employee is advised that eligibility has been attained.
3. Eligibility that is confirmed at the time the notice is received may not be subsequently challenged.
4. If notice of leave has been given, and confirmation of eligibility is not given prior to commencement of the leave, the employee is deemed eligible; FML leave may not be denied.
5. In addition, if notice of the need for leave has not been given more than five (5) business days prior to commencement of the leave, a determination of eligibility must be confirmed within five (5) business days following notice.
6. If such a determination is not provided, the employee will be considered eligible.
Leave requests for regular employees who do not satisfy the FMLA eligibility requirements shall be processed in accordance with the appropriate MTSU leave policies.

IV. Leave Entitlement – FMLA Qualifying Events

Family Leave
1. The birth of a son or daughter and to care for such son or daughter.
  1. In addition to leave taken after the birth of a child, FML may be taken by an expectant mother for the purpose of prenatal visits, pregnancy-related symptoms, and in situations where a serious health condition prevents her from performing her job duties prior to the child’s birth.
  2. Husbands may also use FML to accompany an expectant spouse to prenatal visits, to care for an expectant spouse with a serious health condition, or if needed to care for the spouse following the birth of the child, if the spouse has a serious health condition.
2. The adoptive or foster care placement of a son or daughter with the employee.
  1. FML may be taken prior to an adoptive or foster care placement if the leave is necessary for the placement to proceed. This would include granting leave for required counseling sessions, court appearances, and legal or medical consultations.
  2. Adoption. There is no requirement in the Act that the source of an adoption be from a licensed adoption agency in order for an employee to be eligible for FML. See Section IV, A.3. for age limitations for son or daughter.
  3. Foster Care. This is defined as twenty-four (24)-hour care for children in substitution for, and away from, their parents or guardian. The Act requires that this placement be made by, or in agreement with, the State and that State action be involved in the removal of the child from parental custody. Foster care may include children of relatives placed within the employee’s home by the State.
3. To care for the employee’s spouse, son, daughter, or parent with a serious health condition, as defined below:
  1. Spouse: For purposes of this policy is defined by the U.S. Department of Labor – Family Medical Leave Act. 29 CFR 825.102 Definitions.
  2. Parent: Biological parent or an individual who currently stands or stood in place of an absent parent to an employee when the employee was a child as defined in son/daughter below. The definition does not include parents-in-law.
  3. Son/Daughter: Biological, adopted, foster child, stepchild, legal ward, or child of a person standing in place of an absent parent, who is either under age eighteen (18), or age eighteen (18) or older and incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability. An individual incapable of self-care means that the individual requires active assistance or supervision in performing three (3) or more activities of daily living. An individual with a physical or mental disability means that the individual has an impairment that substantially limits one (1) or more of the major life activities of an individual. Regulations at 29 CFR Part 1630, issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq., define these terms.
    1. For purposes of confirmation of family relationship, the President or designee (hereafter referred to as Employer) may require the employee giving notice of a need for leave to provide reasonable documentation or statement of family relationship.
    2. This documentation may take the form of a simple statement from the employee, a birth certificate, a court document, etc.
    3. After examination, the employee is entitled to the return of the official document.
Medical Leave. The employee has a serious health condition resulting in an inability to perform job functions.
1. An employee is unable to perform the functions of their position if the Health Care Provider (HCP) finds that the employee is:
  1. Unable to work at all; or
  2. Unable to perform any one of the position’s essential functions within the meaning of the ADAAA, 42 USC 12101, et. seq. and the regulations at 29 CFR Sec. 1630.2 (n). For FMLA purposes, the essential functions must be determined with reference to the employee’s position when the notice is given or the leave commenced, whichever is earlier.
2. An employee absent from work to receive medical treatment for a serious health condition is considered to be unable to perform the essential functions of the position during the absence for treatment. The Designator may provide a copy of the essential functions of the employee’s position for the HCP to review when requiring certification.
Servicemember or Military Family Leave
1. Qualifying Exigency. Employees with a spouse, son, daughter, or parent (the Servicemember) on covered active duty or a Federal call to covered active duty in the regular Armed Forces, the National Guard or Reserves, or a retired member of the regular Armed Forces or Reserves may use leave to address exigencies listed below arising out of the covered active duty or impending covered active duty deployment of the Servicemember to a foreign country:
  1. Short-notice deployment (up to seven [7] days of leave);
  2. Attending certain military events;
  3. Child care or school activities;
  4. Addressing financial and legal arrangements;
  5. Periods of rest and recuperation with the Servicemember (up to five [5] days of leave);
  6. Attending counseling sessions related to active duty;
  7. Attending post-deployment activities (available for up to ninety [90] days after the termination of the covered Servicemember’s active duty status);
  8. Other activities arising out of the Servicemember’s active duty, or call to active duty, and agreed upon by the University and employee.
2. Military Caregiver Leave
  1. An eligible employee who is the spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin of a covered Servicemember shall be entitled to a total of twenty-six (26) work weeks of leave during a twelve (12)-month period to care for the covered Servicemember who has a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty while on covered active duty in the Regular Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserves provided that such injury or illness may render the Servicemember medically unfit to perform duties for which the Servicemember is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy; or is in outpatient status; or is on the temporary disability retired list.
    1. A serious health condition also includes any injury or illness that existed before the beginning of the Servicemember’s covered active duty that was aggravated by service in the line of duty on covered active duty.
    2. A veteran of the regular Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserves will be considered a covered Servicemember for purposes of this leave entitlement if:
      1. They are undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy for a serious injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated while on covered active duty in the Armed Forces, whether or not the illness or injury manifested itself before or after the member became a veteran; and
      2. They was a member of the Armed Forced, National Guard, or Reserves at any time during the five (5)-year period before they began the treatment, recuperation, or therapy.
  2. An employee may take up to twenty-six (26) work weeks of leave on a per Servicemember, per injury/illness basis during a twelve (12)-month period, beginning on the first (1^st) day of leave. However, no more than twenty-six (26) work weeks of leave may be taken within any single twelve (12)-month period.
  3. Next of kin means the nearest blood relative other than the covered Servicemember’s spouse, parent, or child designated by the Servicemember in the following order of priority:
    1. A legal guardian or custodian; or
    2. A sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or first cousin, unless the Servicemember has specifically designated in writing another blood relative as their nearest blood relative.

V. FMLA Definition of a Serious Health Condition and Period of Incapacity

Serious Health Condition. An illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition involving any of the following:
1. Inpatient care (i.e., an overnight stay) in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical-care facility, including any period of incapacity; or
2. Continuing treatment by a HCP which includes:
  1. A period of incapacity lasting more than three (3) consecutive, full calendar days, and any subsequent treatment or period of incapacity relating to the same condition that also includes:
    1. Treatment two (2) or more times by, or under the supervision of, a HCP (i.e., in-person visits, the first within seven [7] days and both within thirty [30] days of the first day of incapacity); or
    2. Treatment on at least one (1) occasion by a HCP (i.e., an in-person visit within seven [7] days of the first day of incapacity) with a continuing regimen of treatment (e.g., prescription medication, physical therapy)
  2. Any period of incapacity related to pregnancy or for prenatal care. A visit to the HCP is not necessary for each absence; or
  3. Any period of incapacity or treatment for a chronic serious health condition which continues over an extended period of time, requires periodic visits (at least two [2] times a year) to a HCP, and may involve episodic, rather than a continuing, period of incapacity (i.e., asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc.). A visit to a HCP is not necessary for each absence; or
  4. A period of incapacity that is permanent or long-term due to a condition for which treatment may not be effective (i.e., Alzheimer’s, severe stroke, or terminal stages of a disease). Only supervision by a HCP is required, rather than active treatment; or
  5. Any absences to receive multiple treatments, including any period of recovery therefrom, for restorative surgery after an accident or other injury; or, for a condition that would likely result in a period of incapacity of more than three (3) days if not treated.
Period of Incapacity. An inability to work, attend school, or perform other regular daily activities due to the serious health condition, treatment or recovery.
Absences due to pregnancy, prenatal care, or chronic conditions, as specified above, fall within FMLA even if no treatment from a HCP is received, and even if the absence does not last more than three (3) consecutive, full calendar days.

VI. Determination of the 12 Work Week/26 Work Week Periods

Limitations on Length and Duration
1. Eligible employees are entitled to up to a total of twelve (12) work weeks of leave for family or medical leave, and for a qualifying exigency under Servicemember leave; and, up to twenty-six (26) work weeks of leave to care for a Servicemember with an injury or illness during a twelve (12)-month period.
  1. The initial twelve (12)-month period starts on the date the employee’s FML first begins.
  2. A new twelve (12)-month period would begin the first time FML is taken after completion of any previous twelve (12)-month period.
    1. For example, an employee who first uses FML on October 7, 2008, would have their twelve (12)-month period begin on that date and continue through October 6, 2009.
    2. If this employee subsequently needed to use FML starting on December 2, 2009, a new twelve (12)-month period would be established from that date forward through December 1, 2010.
2. A holiday that occurs within the week taken as FML has no effect; the week is counted as a week of FML.
  1. Exception: If MTSU is temporarily closed for work for one (1) or more weeks (i.e., closing for the Christmas/New Year holiday, summer breaks), those days do not count as FML.
  2. If the employee takes intermittent leave, the holiday is not counted unless the employee would have been scheduled to work the holiday.
3. Overtime hours. If the employee is normally scheduled to work overtime, but is unable to do so because of a serious health condition, the overtime missed may be counted as FML.
  1. For example, if an employee would normally be required to work forty-eight (48) hours in a particular week, but due to a serious health condition the employee is unable to work more than forty (40) hours that week, the employee would utilize eight (8) hours of FMLA-protected leave.
  2. Voluntary overtime hours that an employee does not work due to a serious health condition may not be counted against the employee’s FML entitlement.
4. Part-time employees receive FML on a pro rata or proportional basis.
5. If an employee’s schedule varies from week to week, a weekly average of the hours worked over the twelve (12) work weeks prior to the beginning of the leave period would be used for calculating the employee’s normal workweek.
Leave entitlement for the birth of a child or for adoption or foster care placement of a child expires at the end of the twelve (12)-month period beginning on the date of the birth or placement. FML for these reasons must be concluded within this time period.
Leave to care for an injured or ill Servicemember is to be applied on a per-covered Servicemember, per-injury basis such that an eligible employee may be entitled to take more than one (1) period of twenty-six (26) work weeks of leave if the leave is to care for different covered Servicemember’s or to care for the same Servicemember with a subsequent serious injury or illness. However, no more than twenty-six (26) work weeks of leave may be taken within any single twelve (12)-month period.
FMLA leave limitations when both spouses are State employees.
1. Spouses who are both employees of the State are limited to a combined total of twelve (12) work weeks of FML during a twelve (12)-month period if the leave is taken for the following reasons:
  1. Birth of a child or for care of the child after birth; or
  2. Adoptive or foster care placement of a son or daughter or for care of the child after placement; or
  3. To care for a parent with a serious health condition.
  4. However, each employee would be entitled to take twelve (12) work weeks of FML to care for a child, including a newborn, with a serious health condition.
2. In situations where both the spouses use a portion of FML for one of the reasons listed in the previous paragraph, each spouse is entitled to the difference between the amount each has taken individually and twelve (12) work weeks of FML for reasons other than those listed.
  1. For example, if both spouses use six (6) work weeks of leave for the birth of a child, each could take an additional six (6) work weeks of leave for personal illness or to care for a family member with a serious health condition.
  2. In situations where FML is not taken due to birth, adoption, foster care, or to care for a parent during a given year, each spouse is entitled to full twelve (12) work weeks of leave.
  3. Additionally, each employee would be entitled to take twelve (12) work weeks of FML to care for a newborn child or child if that child has a serious health condition.
3. If one (1) spouse is ineligible for FML, the spouse who meets the eligibility requirement is entitled to twelve (12) work weeks of FML.
4. Servicemember Leave. The aggregate number of work weeks of leave to which both spouses may be entitled is limited to twenty-six (26) work weeks during a twelve (12)-month period.
Use of an intermittent or reduced leave schedule.
1. Intermittent leave is leave taken in separate blocks of time due to a single qualifying reason and may include leave periods from an hour to several weeks. A reduced leave schedule reduces an employee’s usual number of working hours per work day or work week.
2. An employee may take intermittent FML or have a reduced leave schedule over a twelve (12)-month time period when medically necessary for:
  1. Planned and/or unanticipated medical treatment of a serious health condition by, or under the supervision of, a HCP;
  2. Recovery from the condition;
  3. Recovery from treatment of the condition; or
  4. To provide care to an immediate family member with a serious health condition. Employees may not use intermittent FML following the birth of a child, adoptive, or foster care placement for any reason other than medical necessity.
3. Intermittent leave or a reduced schedule may also be used for absences where the employee or family member is incapacitated or unable to perform the position’s essential functions due to a chronic serious health condition, even if treatment is not rendered by a HCP.
4. If an employee requests intermittent leave or leave resulting in a reduced work schedule, the employer may require that the employee transfer temporarily to another position for which the employee is qualified and which better accommodates the employee’s need for recurring leave periods.
  1. Transfer to an alternative position may include altering an existing job to better accommodate the employee’s need for intermittent or reduced leave.
  2. This temporary position must have equivalent pay and benefits but need not have equivalent duties.
  3. For information regarding benefits (i.e., insurance and longevity) not ordinarily provided to part-time employees that may not be eliminated, see Section XX.
  4. An employee may not be transferred to an alternative position in an effort to discourage use of FML or otherwise work a hardship on the employee (i.e., a day-shift employee may not be reassigned to a later shift).
  5. When an employee who transferred to an alternative position is able to return to full-time work, they shall be placed in the same or equivalent position as the job held had when the leave commenced.
  6. An employee cannot be required to take more FML than the circumstance for the leave requires.
5. The employer must account for intermittent or reduced leave using an increment no greater than the shortest period of time that the employer uses to account for use of other forms of leave, provided that it is not greater than one (1) hour and provided further that an employee’s FML entitlement may not be reduced by more than the amount of leave actually taken.

VII. Employee Notice Requirements

General
1. An employee giving notice of the need for FML does not need to expressly assert rights under the Act or even mention the FML to meet their obligation to provide notice, though the employee would need to state a qualifying reason for the needed leave and otherwise satisfy the notice requirements.
2. However, if the employee fails to explain the reasons for the leave, the request may be denied.
Foreseeable leave
1. Timing of notice
  1. The employee must provide at least thirty (30) days advance notice before the leave is to begin, or if thirty (30) days is not practicable, as soon thereafter as possible. The employer may require the employee to explain the reasons why notice was not given at least thirty (30) days prior to the leave.
  2. Notice need be given only once but the employee shall advise the employer as soon as practicable if dates of scheduled leave change, are extended, or were initially unknown.
2. Content of notice
  1. An employee shall provide at least verbal notice sufficient to make the employer aware that the employee needs FMLA qualifying leave and the anticipated timing and duration of the leave.
  2. The employer may request medical certification to support the need for the leave to determine if the condition qualifies as a serious health condition. The employer may request certification to support the need for leave for a qualifying exigency or for military caregiver leave.
  3. An employee has an obligation to respond to an employer’s questions designed to determine whether an absence is potentially FMLA qualifying. Failure to respond to reasonable employer inquiries may result in denial of FMLA protection if the employer is unable to determine whether the leave is FMLA qualifying.
  4. An employer may require an employee to comply with the employer’s usual and customary notice and procedural requirements for requesting leave, absent unusual circumstances.
3. Scheduling leave
  1. The employee must consult with the employer and make a reasonable effort to schedule planned medical treatments so as not to unduly disrupt the employer’s operations subject to the approval of the HCP.
  2. Intermittent leave or leave on a reduced schedule must be medically necessary due to a serious health condition, injury, or illness. The employee and employer shall attempt to work out a schedule for such leave that meets the employee’s needs without unduly disrupting the employer’s operation, subject to the approval of the health care provider.
Unforeseeable Leave
1. Timing of notice
  1. An employee must provide notice, as soon as practicable, under the facts and circumstances of the case.
  2. Notice may be given by the employee’s spokesperson if the employee is unable to do so personally.
2. Content of notice
  1. An employee shall provide sufficient information for an employer to reasonably determine whether the FMLA may apply to the leave request, and the anticipated duration of the absence.
  2. Calling in sick without providing more information will not be considered sufficient notice to trigger an employer’s obligations under the FMLA. The employer may obtain any additional required information by contacting the employee or the employee’s spokesperson through informal means.
  3. The employee has an obligation to respond to an employer’s questions designed to determine whether an absence is potentially FMLA qualifying. Failure to respond to reasonable employer inquires may result in denial of FMLA protection if the employer is unable to determine whether the leave is FMLA qualifying.
  4. An employer may require an employee to comply with the employer’s usual and customary notice and procedural requirements for requesting leave, absent unusual circumstances.
  5. If an employee requires emergency medical treatment, they would not be required to follow the call-in procedure until their condition is stabilized and they have access to, and are able to use, a phone.

VIII. Employer Notice Requirements

Posting general notice.
1. All employers are required to post, in conspicuous places, notices explaining the provisions of the FMLA.
2. Electronic posting is sufficient. See the Department of Labor (DOL) Web site for a prototype notice.
3. The DOL notice form, or another format, may be used so long as the information provided includes, at a minimum, all the information contained in the DOL notice.
If the employer has an employee handbook or other document explaining employee benefits or leave rights, information concerning FMLA entitlement and employer/employee responsibilities and obligations must be included.
Eligibility notice
1. When an employee requests FML or when the employer acquires knowledge that an employee’s leave may be for an FMLA qualifying reason, the employer must notify the employee of eligibility to take FML within five (5) business days, absent extenuating circumstances.
2. If the employee is not eligible, the notice must state at least one (1) reason why.
3. Notification of eligibility may be oral or in writing and employers may use DOL forms to provide notice.
Rights and responsibilities notice.
1. Employers must provide written notice detailing the specific expectations and obligations of the employee and explain any consequences of a failure to meet these obligations.
2. This notice must be provided each time an eligibility notice is provided.
3. The notice must, at minimum, include, as appropriate:
  1. The leave may be designated and counted against the employee’s annual FML entitlement;
  2. Any requirements for the employee to furnish certification of a serious health condition, serious injury or illness, or qualifying exigency arising out of active duty or call to active duty status, and the consequences of failing to do so;
  3. The employer will substitute paid leave and the employee’s entitlement to take unpaid FML if they do not have sufficient accrued paid leave;
  4. Any requirement for the employee to make any premium payments to maintain health benefits and the arrangements for making such payments, and the possible consequences of failure to make such payments on a timely basis;
  5. The employee’s rights to maintenance of benefits during the FML and restoration to the same or an equivalent job upon return from FML; and,
  6. The employee’s potential liability for payment of health insurance premiums paid by the employer during the employee’s unpaid FML, if the employee fails to return to work after taking FML.
4. The employer may use the appropriate DOL form as the notice of rights and responsibilities. This notice may be distributed electronically, so long as it otherwise meets the requirements of this section.
Designation Notice
1. When the employer has enough information to determine whether the leave is being taken for an FMLA qualifying reason, the employer must notify the employee whether the leave will be designated and counted as FML within five (5) business days, absent extenuating circumstances.
  1. At the time of designating the leave as FML, the employer must indicate that paid leave will be utilized when the employee has accumulated leave balances.
  2. An employee with no accumulated sick or annual leave balances must take leave as unpaid, unless otherwise stipulated in other MTSU leave policies.
  3. MTSU leave policies and the FMLA leave policy shall run concurrently and not consecutively.
2. Only one (1) notice of designation is required for each FMLA qualifying reason per applicable twelve (12)-month period, regardless of whether the leave taken due to the qualifying reason will be a continuous block of leave, intermittent, or reduced schedule leave.
3. If the employer determines that the leave will not be designated as FMLA qualifying, the employee must be so notified.
4. If the employer will require the employee to present a fitness-for-duty certification to be restored to employment, the employer must provide notice of such requirement with the designation notice. If the fitness-for-duty certification must address the employee’s ability to perform the essential functions of their position, the employer must so indicate in the designation notice and must include a list of the essential functions of the position.
5. The designation notice must be in writing and the appropriate DOL form may be used for this purpose. If the leave cannot be designated as FML, the notice may be in the form of a simple written statement.
6. The employer must notify the employee of the amount of leave counted against their FMLA leave entitlement.
  1. If the amount of leave needed is known at the time the leave is designated as FML, the employer must notify the employee of the number of hours, days, or weeks that will be counted against the employee’s FMLA leave entitlement in the designation notice.
  2. If it is not possible to provide this information, such as in the case of unforeseeable intermittent leave, the employer must provide notice of the amount of leave counted against the employee’s FML entitlement at the request of the employee, but no more often than once in a thirty (30)-day period and only if FML was taken in that period.

IX. Designation of FMLA Leave

Employer responsibilities.
1. The decision to designate leave as FMLA qualifying must be based only on information received from the employee or the employee’s spokesperson.
2. If the employer does not have sufficient information about the reason for the use of leave, the employer should inquire further of the employee or spokesman.
3. The employer must then provide the appropriate notice pursuant to the prior section.
Employee responsibilities
1. An employee giving notice of the need for FML does not need to expressly assert rights under the FMLA, or even mention the FMLA, to meet the obligation to provide notice, though they would need to state a qualifying reason for the needed leave and otherwise satisfy the notice requirements of Section VII.
2. If an employee fails to adequately explain the need for FML, the request may be denied.
Retroactive designation. The employer may retroactively designate leave as FML with appropriate notice to the employee provided the employer’s failure to timely designate leave does not cause harm or injury to the employee.

X. Certification

General
1. A request for certification must be made in writing.
2. The employer should make a request for certification at the time the employee gives notice of the need for leave or within five (5) business days thereafter; or, in the case of unforeseen leave, within five (5) business days after the leave begins.
3. The employee must provide the requested certification within fifteen (15) calendar days after the request, unless it is not practicable under the particular circumstances to do so despite the employee’s diligent, good faith efforts. The employee is responsible for paying any costs associated with obtaining a certification or recertification, and any necessary clarification or authentication.
4. If the employee does not provide a complete and sufficient certificate, the employer must state in writing what additional information is necessary to make the certification complete and sufficient. If items on the certification are not filled in, or the information provided is vague, ambiguous, or non-responsive, the certification may be considered incomplete. The employee must be allowed seven (7) calendar days to cure any deficiencies.
5. No information beyond that specified below in Section XI may be required to be provided.
6. The employee may provide the employer with an authorization, release, or waiver allowing the employer to communicate directly with the HCP, but the employee must not be required to do so.
Consequences
1. At the time the employer requests certification, the employee must be advised that the FML request may be denied if the certification is incomplete or insufficient despite the opportunity to cure the deficiencies, or if the employee fails to provide any certification.
2. It is the employee’s responsibility to furnish a complete and sufficient certification, or to furnish the HCP the necessary authorization to complete the certification.
3. These principles apply whether the request is the initial certification, recertification, second or third opinion, or fitness for duty certificate, including any clarifications necessary to determine if such certifications are authentic and sufficient.

XI. Certification of Serious Health Condition of Employee or a Covered Family Member

Permissible information
1. The name, address, telephone number, and fax number of the HCP, and type of medical practice/specialization;
2. The approximate date on which the serious health condition began, and its probable duration;
3. A statement or description of appropriate medical facts regarding the patient’s health condition for which FML is requested. These facts must be sufficient to support the need for leave and may include information on symptoms, diagnosis, hospitalization, doctor visits, whether medication has been prescribed, any referrals for evaluation or treatment, or any other regimen of continuing treatment.
4. If the employee is the patient, information sufficient to establish that they cannot perform the essential functions of their job, the nature of any other work restrictions, and the likely duration of such inability.
5. If the patient is a covered family member, information sufficient to establish that the family member is in need of care and an estimate of the frequency and duration of the leave required to care for the family member.
6. If the employee requests leave on an intermittent or reduced schedule basis for planned medical treatment for him/herself or a family member, information sufficient to establish the medical necessity and an estimate of the dates and duration of such treatments and any periods of recovery.
7. If the employee requests leave on an intermittent or reduced schedule basis for a serious health condition, including pregnancy, that may result in unforeseeable episodes of incapacity, information sufficient to establish the medical necessity for such leave and an estimate of the frequency and duration of the episodes of incapacity.
8. If the employee requests leave on an intermittent or reduced schedule basis to care for a covered family member, a statement that such leave is medically necessary to care for the family member who can include assisting in recovery, and an estimate of the frequency and duration of the required leave.
The appropriate DOL form may be used to obtain information concerning the employee’s serious health condition or the serious health condition of a covered family member. These forms may also be used if seeking second and third opinions.
Workers’ compensation. If the employee is concurrently on FMLA leave and workers’ compensation leave, the FMLA does not prevent the employer from following the workers’ compensation provisions in seeking information, even if such would allow inquiries beyond that allowed under the FMLA. Information received may be considered in determining the employee’s entitlement to FMLA protected leave.
ADAAA. If the employee’s serious health condition may also be a disability pursuant to the ADAAA, the FMLA does not prevent the employer from following the procedures for requesting medical information under the ADAAA. Any information received may be considered in determining the employee’s entitlement to FMLA protected leave.
Clarification and authentication of certification.
1. If the employee submits an incomplete or insufficient certification signed by the HCP, the employer may contact the HCP for purposes of clarification and authentication.
  1. The employee must first have been given seven (7) calendar days to cure the deficiency.
  2. Employers may not ask for additional information beyond that required by the certification form as set out in Section XI.
2. The employee must provide an authorization for the employer to contact the HCP.
3. A HCP, human resources professional, leave administrator, or a management official may contact the HCP for clarification or authentication. Under no circumstances shall the employee’s direct supervisor contact the HCP.
4. Authentication means providing the HCP with a copy of the certification and requesting verification that the information contained on the certification form was completed and/or authorized by the HCP who signed the document.
5. Clarification means contacting the HCP to understand the handwriting on the medical certification or to understand the meaning of a response.
6. It is the employee’s responsibility to provide a complete and sufficient certification and to clarify the certification if necessary. Failure to do so or failure to provide authorization to contact the HCP may result in the denial of FML.
Second and Third Opinions
1. Second opinion
  1. If the employer doubts the validity of a certification, the employee may be required to obtain a second opinion which shall be at the employer’s expense.
  2. The employer is permitted to designate the HCP but the HCP must not be employed on a regular basis by the employer.
2. Third opinion
  1. If the first and second opinions differ, the employer may require the employee to obtain certification from a third HCP at the employer’s expense.
  2. The third HCP must be designated or approved jointly by the employer and the employee.
  3. The third opinion shall be final and binding.
3. Pending receipt of a second or third opinion, the employee is provisionally entitled to the benefits of the FMLA, including maintenance of group health benefits.
FML may be denied, and the leave designated as paid or unpaid, under the employer’s established leave policies if:
1. The certifications do not ultimately establish entitlement to FML; or,
2. The employee fails to provide authorization for their HCP to release all relevant medical information pertaining to the serious health condition at issue if requested by the HCP designated to provide the second or third opinion.
Recertification
1. Thirty (30)-day rule. An employer may request recertification no more often than every thirty (30) days and only in connection with an absence by the employee, unless Sections 2 or 3 apply.
2. More than thirty (30) days
  1. If the medical certification indicates the minimum duration of the condition is more than thirty (30) days, an employer must wait until that minimum duration period expires before requesting a recertification.
  2. Notwithstanding the limitation set forth above, an employer may request a recertification every six (6) months in connection with an absence by the employee.
3. Less than thirty (30) days. An employer may request certification in less than thirty (30) days if:
  1. The employee requests an extension of leave;
  2. Circumstances described by the previous certification have changed significantly (i.e., the duration or frequency of the absence, the nature or severity of the illness, or complications); or,
  3. The employer receives information that casts doubt on the stated reason for the absence or the continuing validity of the certification.
4. The employee must provide the recertification within the timeframe requested by the employer which must allow no less than fifteen (15) calendar days.
5. The employer may ask for the same information as that permitted for the original certification and the employee has the same obligation to participate and cooperate in providing a complete and sufficient certification.
6. The employer may provide the HCP with a record of the employee’s absence pattern and ask if the serious health condition and need for leave is consistent with such a pattern.
7. Any recertification requested by the employer may be at the employee’s expense.
8. No second or third opinion on recertification may be required.

XII. Certification of Qualifying Exigency

Active duty orders
1. The first time an employee requests leave based on a qualifying exigency arising out of the active duty or call to active duty status of a covered military member, the employer may require the employee to provide a copy of the covered military member’s active duty orders or other documentation issued by the military that indicates that the covered military member is on active duty or call to active duty status in support of a contingency operation and the dates of the active duty service. This information need only be provided once.
2. A copy of new active duty orders or other documentation issued by the military shall be provided to the employer if the need for leave because of a qualifying exigency arises out of a different active duty or call to active duty status of the same or a different covered military member.
Required information. The employer may require a certification from the employee that sets forth the following information:
1. A statement or description, signed by the employee, of appropriate facts regarding the qualifying exigency, including the type of qualifying exigency and any documentation which supports the request for leave.
2. The approximate date(s) of the qualifying exigency.
  1. If the event is a single, continuous period of time, the beginning and end dates.
  2. If the leave request is for an intermittent or reduced schedule, an estimate of the frequency and duration of the qualifying exigency.
3. If the event involves meeting with a third party, appropriate contact information for the third party and a brief description of the purpose of the meeting.
The appropriate DOL form may be used. No information beyond that specified may be required.
Verification
1. If the certification is complete and sufficient to support the request for leave, no additional information may be requested.
2. However, if the qualifying exigency concerns meeting with a third party, the employer may contact the third party to verify the nature and time of the meeting.
3. The employer may contact the Department of Defense to request verification that a covered military member is on active duty or call to active duty status.
4. If verification occurs pursuant to either Item 2 or 3, no additional information may be requested and the employee’s permission is not required.

XIII. Certification for Servicemember (Military Caregiver) Leave

Required information from HCP. An employer may require an employee to obtain a certification completed by any one of the following:
1. U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) HCP;
2. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) HCP;
3. DOD TRICARE network authorized private HCP;
4. DOD non-network TRICARE authorized private HCP.
If the authorized HCP is unable to make certain military related determinations specified below, the authorized HCP may rely on determinations from an authorized DOD representative. An employer may request that the HCP provide the following information:
1. The name, address, and appropriate contact information (telephone number, fax number, and/or email address) of the HCP, the type of medical practice, the medical specialty, and whether the health care provider is one of the following:
  1. DOD HCP;
  2. VA HCP;
  3. DOD TRICARE network authorized private HCP; or
  4. DOD non-network TRICARE authorized private HCP.
2. Whether the covered Servicemember’s injury or illness was incurred in the line of duty on active duty.
3. The approximate date on which the serious injury or illness began and its probable duration.
4. A statement or description of appropriate medical facts regarding the covered Servicemember’s health condition for which FML is requested. These facts must include information on whether the injury or illness may render the covered Servicemember medically unfit to perform the duties of the Servicemember’s office, grade, rank, or rating and whether the member is receiving medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy.
5. Information sufficient to establish that the covered Servicemember is in need of care and whether they will need care for a single continuous period of time, including any time for treatment and recovery, and an estimate as to the beginning and ending dates for this period of time.
6. If intermittent or reduced schedule leave is requested for planned medical treatment appointments, whether there is a medical necessity for the covered Servicemember to have such periodic care and an estimate of the treatment schedule of such appointments.
7. If intermittent or reduced schedule leave is requested for other than planned medical treatment (i.e., episodic flare-ups of a medical condition), whether there is a medical necessity to have such periodic care, which can include assisting the covered Servicemember’s recovery and an estimate of the frequency and duration of the periodic care.
The employer may also ask the employee and/or the covered Servicemember to include the following information in the certification:
1. The name and address of the employer of the employee requesting leave to care for a covered Servicemember, the name of the employee requesting such leave, and the name of the covered Servicemember for whom the employee is requesting leave to care.
2. The relationship of the employee to the covered Servicemember.
3. Whether the covered Servicemember is a member of the Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserves and their military branch, rank, and current unit assignment.
4. Whether the covered Servicemember is assigned to a military medical facility as an outpatient or to a unit established for the purpose of providing command and control of members of the Armed Forces receiving medical care as outpatients and the name of the medical treatment facility or unit.
5. Whether the covered Servicemember is on the temporary disability retired list.
6. A description of the care to be provided and an estimate of the leave needed to provide the care.
The appropriate DOL form may be used to obtain certification that meets the FMLA’s requirements.
1. No information may be required beyond that specified on the certification.
2. Authentication and/or clarification of the certification may be sought.
3. Second and third opinions and recertification are not permitted.
4. Confirmation of covered family relationship to the covered Servicemember may be required.
Invitational travel order (ITO) or invitational travel authorization (ITA).
1. An employer must accept an ITO or an ITA as sufficient certification to allow FML. No additional or separate certification may be required.
2. If leave is needed beyond the period specified in the ITO/ITA, the employer may request certification from one of the authorized HCPs listed in Section B.1.
3. The employer may seek authentication and clarification of the ITO/ITA. The employer may not seek a second or third opinion or a recertification during the period of time in which leave is supported by an ITO/ITA.
4. The employer may require an employee to provide confirmation of covered family relationship to the covered Servicemember.

XIV. Intent to Return to Work

An employer may require an employee on FML to report periodically on their status and intent to return to work.
If an employee gives an unequivocal notice of intent not to return to work, the employer’s obligations under the FMLA to maintain health benefits and to restore the employee cease. However, these obligations continue if the employee indicates they may be unable to return to work but expresses a continuing desire to do so.
An employee may need more leave than initially requested or the employee may not need as much leave as initially requested.
1. In the latter instance, the employee may not be required to take more FML than necessary to resolve the circumstance that precipitated the need for leave.
2. The employer may require the employee to provide reasonable notice (i.e., within two [2] business days) of the changed circumstances where foreseeable.
3. The employer may also obtain information on such changed circumstances through requested status reports.

XV. Fitness-for-Duty Certification

As a condition for restoring an employee whose own serious health condition required FML, the employer may impose a uniformly applied policy or practice that requires all similarly situated employees to provide certification from their HCPs that the employee is able to resume work.
The fitness-for-duty certification may only pertain to the specific health condition that required FML.
The certification must state that the employee is able to resume work.
1. Additionally, the employer may require the certification to specifically address the employee’s ability to perform the essential functions of their job.
2. In order to do so, the employer must provide the employee with a list of the essential functions of the job no later than with the designation notice.
3. The designation notice must indicate that the certification must address the employee’s ability to perform those essential functions.
Authentication and/or clarification of the certification is allowed. However, the employee’s return to work may not be delayed while contact with the HCP is being made.
No second or third opinions may be required.
The cost of a return-to-work certification shall be borne by the employee.
Restoration may be delayed until the employee submits a required fitness-for-duty certification, if the employer has provided notice of the need for such in the designation notice.
If a fitness-for-duty certification is required, an employee who does not provide such, or who does not request additional FML, is no longer entitled to reinstatement under the FMLA.
Return from intermittent or reduced schedule leave.
1. The employer may not require a new certification after each absence if the employee is on intermittent or reduced scheduled leave.
2. However, an employer is entitled to a certification for such absences up to once every thirty (30) days if reasonable safety concerns exist regarding the employee’s ability to perform their duties based on the serious health condition for which leave was taken.
  1. Reasonable safety concerns means a reasonable belief of significant risk of harm to the individual employee or others.
  2. The nature and severity of the potential harm and the likelihood that potential harm will occur must be considered in making this determination.
3. The employer must inform the employee, at the time the designation notice is issued, that for each subsequent instance of intermittent or reduced schedule leave, the employee will be required to submit a fitness-for-duty certification unless one (1) has already been submitted within the past thirty (30) days.
4. An employee may not be terminated while awaiting such a certification.
If an employee’s serious health condition may also be a disability under the ADAAA, the FMLA does not prevent the employer from following the procedures for requesting medical information under the ADAAA.

XVI. Failure to Provide Certification

Foreseeable leave. If the employee fails to provide certification in a timely manner, FMLA coverage may be denied until certification is provided.
Unforeseeable leave. FMLA coverage may be denied if the employee fails to provide a certification within fifteen (15) calendar days from receipt of the request for certification, unless not practicable due to extenuating circumstances.
1. Absent those circumstances, if the employee fails to timely return the certification, FMLA protections can be denied following expiration of the fifteen (15)-day time period until a sufficient certification is provided.
2. If the employee never produces the certification, the leave is not FML.
Recertification
1. An employee must provide recertification within the time requested by the employer, which must allow at least fifteen (15) calendar days after the request, or as soon as practicable under the particular facts and circumstances.
  1. Failure to do so may result in denial of continuation of FMLA protections until a sufficient recertification is produced.
  2. If one is never provided, the leave is not FML.
2. Recertification does not apply to leave taken for a qualifying exigency or to care for a covered Servicemember.
Fitness-for-duty
1. The employee must provide medical certification at the time they seek reinstatement if such is requested pursuant to the employer’s policy or practice, if the employer provided the required notice.
2. If the employee fails to do so, restoration may be delayed until the certification is provided.
3. Unless the employee provides either a fitness-for-duty certification or a new medical certification for a serious health condition at the time FML is concluded, the employee may be terminated.

XVII. Job Restoration

Right to Reinstatement
1. Upon returning from FML, an employee must be restored to their original position or to an equivalent position.
  1. An equivalent position is one that is virtually identical to the former position in terms of pay, benefits, and working conditions, including privileges, perquisites, and status.
  2. This involves restoration to a position having the same or substantially similar duties and responsibilities and having substantially equivalent skill, effort, responsibility, and authority.
  3. An employee is entitled to such reinstatement even if the employee has been replaced or their position has been restructured to accommodate the employee’s absence.
  4. This applies only to employees returning from FML and may not apply to employees who used additional leave beyond the twelve (12) or twenty-six (26) work week FMLA entitlement, as provided in other MTSU leave policies.
2. An employee returning from FML is entitled to any general or unconditional pay increases that all other employees have received during the period the employee was on leave.
3. An employee is entitled to shift or work schedule assignments equivalent to those in effect prior to the beginning of the leave period and to the same or a geographically proximate work location where previously employed.
4. If an employee is no longer qualified for the position because of the employee’s inability to attend a necessary course, renew a license, etc., as a result of the leave, the employee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to fulfill those conditions upon return to work.
Limitations on Reinstatement
1. An employee has no greater right to reinstatement or to other benefits and conditions of employment than if the employee had been continuously employed during the FML period.
  1. Thus, if a work location is closed, a shift eliminated, overall work hours for an entire unit reduced, or positions abolished through a reduction in force, the employee is only entitled to conditions that would have been in effect for the employee if the leave had never been taken. For example, if an employee’s shift is eliminated during the time period that leave was taken, the employee is not entitled to assignment to the previous shift’s work hours or to shift differential pay when they return from leave that other employees formerly on the shift no longer receive.
  2. However, the employee is entitled to employment in a position meeting all other previous employment conditions.
  3. An employer must be able to show that they would not otherwise have been employed at the time reinstatement is requested in order to deny restoration to employment.
2. If an employee can no longer perform an essential function of the position because of a physical or mental condition, including the continuation of a serious health condition or an injury or illness also covered by workers’ compensation, the employee has no right to restoration to another position under the FMLA. However, the provisions of the ADAAA may apply. Such cases should be referred to the ADAAA coordinator.
3. If an employee should require more or less FML than was originally anticipated, they are required to provide the employer two (2) business days’ notice where feasible. Regarding an employee who wants to return to work earlier than anticipated, they shall be restored once such notice is given or where such notice is not feasible.
4. In situations where an employee notifies the employer that they are not returning to work, the obligation to restore the employee to a position ends. Should the employee indicate they are unable to return to work but continues to want to return, restoration requirements remain in effect.
5. If an employee was hired for a specific term, or only to perform work on a discrete project, the employer has no obligation to restore the employee if the employment term or project is over and the employer would not otherwise have continued to employ the employee.

XVIII. Prohibition against Interfering with Employee Rights

The FMLA prohibits interference with an employee’s rights under the law and with legal proceedings or inquiries relating to an employee’s rights.
Interfering with the exercise of an employee’s rights would include, for example, not only refusing to authorize FML, but discouraging an employee from using such leave.
The FMLA’s prohibition against interference prohibits an employer from discriminating or retaliating against an employee or prospective employee for having exercised, or attempted to exercise, FMLA rights.
Employees cannot waive, nor may employers induce employees to waive, their prospective rights under the FMLA.
This does not prevent the settlement or release of FMLA claims by employees based on past employer conduct without the approval of the Department of Labor or a court.

XIX. Recordkeeping

Records must be made, kept, and preserved in accordance with the recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The records must be kept for no less than three (3) years and made available for inspection, copying, and transcription by representatives of the Department of Labor, upon request.
Required records:
1. Basic payroll and identifying employee data.
2. Dates FML was taken. The leave must be designated in records as FML.
3. The hours of leave taken, if less than in increments of a day.
4. Employee notices provided to the employer and notices given to employees as required by the FMLA.
5. Documents describing employee benefits or employer policies and practices regarding paid and unpaid leave.
6. Premium payments of employee benefits.
7. Records of any dispute between the employer and an eligible employee regarding designation of leave as FML.
Confidential records
1. Records and documents relating to certifications, recertifications, or medical histories of the employee or their family members, created for purposes of FML, shall be maintained as confidential medical records in separate files, separate from the usual personnel files.
2. If the ADAAA is also applicable, such records shall be maintained in conformance with ADAAA confidentially requirements.

XX. Impact of FML on Health Insurance and Other Benefits

Insurance Coverage
1. For the duration of FML, the employer is required to maintain an employee’s health coverage under the State Group Insurance Plan under the same conditions coverage would have been provided if the employee had continued working. It is very important that the employer communicate approval of FML to the insurance preparer.
2. The same health benefits provided to an employee prior to taking FML must be maintained during the FML.
  1. For example, if family coverage is provided to an employee, family coverage must be maintained during the FML.
  2. Moreover, an employee temporarily working a reduced schedule (for purposes of this section, less than thirty [30] hours per week) during a period of FML is entitled to maintain the same insurance coverages that were in effect prior to the FML period.
3. If an employer provides a new, or changes, health plan or benefits while an employee is on FML, the employee is entitled to the new or changed plan/benefits to the same extent as if the employee were not on leave. For example, if an employer changes a group health plan so that dental care becomes covered under the plan, an employee on FML must be given the same opportunity as other employees to receive or obtain the dental care coverage.
4. Notice of any opportunity to change plans or benefits must also be given to an employee on FML.
  1. If the plan permits an employee to change from single to family coverage upon the birth of a child, or otherwise add new family members, such a change in benefits must be made available while an employee is on FML.
  2. If the employee requests the changed coverage, it must be provided by the employer.
5. The employer is responsible for advising the employee of the options to continue or discontinue insurance coverage(s) prior to the beginning of the leave period. If the employee elects to continue insurance coverage(s), the employer must provide the employee with written notice of the terms and conditions under which premiums must be paid.
6. If coverage is not to be continued, the employee must contact the insurance preparer prior to the beginning of the leave. When an employee returns from leave, the employee is entitled to be automatically reinstated on the same terms as prior to taking the leave, including family or dependent coverage, without any qualifying period, physical examination, exclusion of pre-existing conditions, etc.
7. To ensure that an employee on unpaid FML is reinstated with the same benefits in effect prior to the leave period, the employer shall pay the employer, as well as any employee, portion of premiums which has not been remitted. Premiums paid on behalf of the employee will be deducted from the employee’s paycheck following their return to work.
8. For purposes of determining insurance premium payment responsibilities, an employee is deemed to have returned to work if they has returned for thirty (30) calendar days.
  1. An employee who retires immediately following FML, or during the first thirty (30) days after returning to work, is also deemed to have returned to work.
  2. If the employee fails to return to work or does not stay thirty (30) calendar days, the employer portion of the insurance premium paid during FML may be recovered except for the following reasons:
    1. The continuation, recurrence, or onset of a serious health condition which would entitle the employee to leave under the FMLA; or
    2. Other circumstances beyond the employee’s control, such as an unexpected transfer of the employee’s spouse to a job location more than seventy-five (75) miles from the employee’s worksite or the lay-off of the employee while on leave.
9. If the employee fails to return to work due to a serious health condition, the employer may require medical certification of the employee’s or the family member’s serious health condition.
10. The employer portion of the health premium may not be recovered during workers’ compensation leave designated as FML.
Longevity
1. An employee on FML, paid or unpaid, shall receive longevity in accordance with the provisions of Policy 843 Longevity Pay.
2. Note: The employer may not eliminate benefits which otherwise would not be provided to part-time employees.
3. Therefore, an employee who has been temporarily transferred to a part-time position during a period of FML retains eligibility for longevity pay regardless of the percentage of employment.
Leave Accrual
1. Employees shall accrue leave in accordance with the annual and sick leave policies.
2. Due to the fact that leave is based on the number of hours worked per week, the accrual rate may be proportionately reduced.

Forms: none.

Revisions: none.

Last Reviewed: June 2024.

References: Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et. seq.; 29 C.F.R. §§ 825.100 et. seq.; Policy 843 Longevity Pay.