U.S. Department of Labor issued the following announcement on Jan.27.
After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Care Center on Hazeltine LLC – a healthcare center in Van Nuys, California – has paid $13,640 in lost wages and liquidated damages to a former employee after the employer violated the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
WHD investigators found Care Center on Hazeltine LLC denied reinstatement and wrongfully terminated the employee after taking FMLA-qualifying leave for the birth of their child. Investigators found the employer informed the worker that they were no longer employed when they returned from leave. The FMLA requires covered employers to return eligible employees to the same position and working conditions they held prior to taking time off under this law.
This investigation resulted in the employer paying the worker lost wages and damages. Care Center on Hazeltine also presented the employee an offer of reinstatement, which the employee rejected.
“The Family and Medical Leave Act provides flexibility for employees who need time to address important life events, such as the birth of a child,” said Wage and Hour District Director Kimchi Bui, in Los Angeles, California. “The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to enforcing the law and educating employers to ensure employees can exercise their FMLA rights. We encourage all employers to reach out to us if they have questions about these important protections.”
Original source can be found here.