Are employers required to grant intermittent or reduced schedule FMLA leave?

Yes, employers in Washington are required to grant intermittent or reduced schedule FMLA leave. According to the US Department of Labor, Washington employers must provide FMLA leave in the form of either intermittent leave (leave taken in separate blocks of time due to a single qualifying reason) or reduced schedule leave (scheduling the employee’s usual weekly hours over a longer period of time). Employers should be aware that employees are allowed to take FMLA leave for a single event or illness. The total hours of leave taken by an employee for a specific condition can be divided into multiple periods of leave. For instance, an employee could take several short periods of FMLA leave that together total to more than 12 weeks of leave. Employees must also be allowed to use FMLA leave intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule if such leave is medically necessary and is certified by a healthcare provider. The employee’s healthcare provider must specify the medical necessity and period of leave needed in the request. Employers must make sure that the employee’s Medical Certification Form is properly completed and returned to the employer within 15 calendar days of the request. Employers must also provide written notice to employees regarding the employee’s rights and responsibilities under the FMLA. The US Department of Labor also requires employers to provide a notice of FMLA rights and responsibilities to employees within 5 business days after an employee informs the employer of the need for leave.

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Are employers required to grant intermittent or reduced schedule FMLA leave?

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