How does FMLA work in Iowa?

FMLA is a federally-mandated program requiring employers to provide up to 12 work weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year to eligible employees absent from work due to an FMLA-qualifying reason. Eligible employees are entitled to up to 12 workweeks of FMLA leave in a fiscal year.

Do you get paid on FMLA in Iowa?

Although FMLA leave is unpaid, employees may choose or employers may require employees to use accrued paid leave, such as sick or vacation leave, to cover some or all of the FMLA leave period.

Who qualifies for FMLA Iowa?

Any employee who has been employed by the state for a total of at least 12 months in the past seven years and has worked for at least 1,250 hours in the previous 12-month period is eligible. Eligibility determinations are made as of the date that the FMLA leave is to begin.

How does FMLA work in the state of Iowa?

FMLA leave runs concurrently with paid leave. The State of Iowa requires employees to use accrued sick leave, vacation time, comp time, banked time, and/or Iowa United Professionals (IUP) personal time while

What is the law about leave from work in Iowa?

The federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and Iowa law both require employers to allow employees to take leave from work for federal or state military service or duty. Employees must be reinstated after their leave, and may not be discriminated against based on their service.

When do you have to use FMLA time?

If an employee takes FMLA leave for serious personal illness, all paid sick leave and paid vacation time must be used up first before using unpaid leave. If an employee has been on maternity leave, but has not been granted medical clearance to return to work, she must use all paid sick leave and paid vacation time before taking unpaid leave.

How many weeks of unpaid sick leave can I take in Iowa?

Sometimes union contracts allow an employee a day of paid sick leave if he or she is serving as a pallbearer. Employees are not eligible for more than twelve weeks of state FMLA leave in one fiscal year. Employees may be eligible for twelve months of unpaid leave at the discretion of the state “appointing authority”.

What are the family and medical leave laws in Iowa?

Iowa Family and Medical Leave Law. In addition to the rights granted by the FMLA, Iowa employees are protected by the state’s pregnancy disability leave law. Employers with at least four employees must allow eligible employees to take time off for disability relating to pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions.

Can a employer manage the use of FMLA?

Based on my personal experience, and confirmed by the results of the Littler survey, employer frustration with FMLA administration is rampant. It is also understandable. However, I do not agree that employers can do little to manage the use of intermittent FMLA leave. Admittedly, there is a window for employees who would abuse FMLA leave.

How long can an employee take sick leave in Iowa?

Unless the employee is otherwise entitled to sick leave, disability leave, or other time off, the employer must allow the employee to take leave for the period of time she is unable to work, up to eight weeks. You can find information on Iowa’s pregnancy disability leave law at the website of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.