K-12 Schools and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

FMLA compliance is hard enough, and K-12 schools face extra rules that apply only to them. This 60-minute webinar on FMLA for K-12 schools explains those special provisions for public and private elementary and secondary schools.

What if a teacher takes FMLA leave three weeks before summer break? Can summer count toward FMLA leave? Which instructional employees do the special rules cover? You'll learn how to calculate the 1,250-hour eligibility requirement for exempt teachers by combining paid and unpaid time, and how to handle intermittent and reduced-schedule leave.

The session also reviews core FMLA provisions, from covered employers and eligibility to medical certification and job restoration, with case studies and step-by-step procedures.

• Explain the core provisions of the FMLA
• Identify instructional employees and the special K-12 rules that apply to them
• Handle teacher leave near the end of the school year and over the summer
• Calculate the 1,250-hour requirement and the 12-month period for exempt teachers
• Manage intermittent and reduced-schedule leave in schools
• Keep records that support FMLA compliance

FMLA basics

• Covered employers and eligible employees
• Leave entitlement and other leave that counts toward 12 weeks
• Intermittent leave and qualifying exigency leave
• Requesting leave and medical certification
• Job restoration and health benefits
• The federal agency that enforces the FMLA

Special rules for K-12 schools

• The definition of educational institution
• Schools' legal compliance obligations
• Defining instructional employees and how their requirements differ from non-instructional employees
• Handling teacher leave near the end of the school year
• Intermittent or reduced-schedule leave and calculating it
• Calculating the 1,250-hour requirement for exempt teachers
• Calculating the applicable 12-month period
• Continuing teacher benefits during FMLA leave over the summer
• Compensation and use of vacation or sick time during FMLA leave
• Job security during FMLA leave
• Married employees who work for the same employer
• Substitute teachers
• Recordkeeping recommendations
• Case studies and examples

Not knowing how the special K-12 rules work can create a legal nightmare for schools. This session helps you understand, implement and comply with them in different situations using step-by-step procedures.

It suits K-12 superintendents, principals, school district HR, compliance and operations professionals, and teachers and other school personnel.

• K-12 school superintendents
• School district HR professionals
• Compliance professionals
• Operations professionals
• Principals
• Teachers and other school personnel
   

Diane L. Dee, President and Founder of Advantage HR Consulting, LLC is a senior Human Resources professional with over 25 years of experience in the HR arena. Diane’s background includes experience in HR consulting, training, and administration in corporate, government, consulting, and pro bono environments.

Diane founded Advantage HR Consulting in early 2016. Under Diane’s leadership, Advantage HR Consulting provides comprehensive, cost-effective Human Resources solutions for small to mid-sized public and private firms in the greater Chicagoland area.  Diane also develops and conducts webinars on a wide variety of HR compliance and administrative topics for various training firms across the country.   Additionally, Diane is the author of multiple white papers addressing various HR compliance topics.

Diane holds a Master's Certificate in Human Resources from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and has attained SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. Diane is a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Society for Human Resource Management. Additionally, Diane performs pro bono work through the Taproot Foundation assisting non-profit clients by integrating their Human Resources goals with their corporate strategies.