Can employers require a doctor's note to verify an employee's FMLA leave?

In California, employers can require employees to provide a doctor’s note when going on or returning from FMLA leave. According to California’s Family Rights Act (CFRA), employers are allowed to ask for documentation verifying the need for FMLA leave due to a medical condition. This could include a doctor’s note to prove that an employee is qualified for FMLA leave and providing this information is part of the employer’s obligation to provide a safe, healthy working environment for employees. Employers can also require a doctor’s note to verify the employee’s need for the FMLA leave as well as the expected length of the leave. This is meant to ensure that the employee is taking the leave for a legitimate medical purpose and also to monitor potential employee abuse of the system. In California, employers can also require a fitness for duty certification before an employee returns from FMLA leave. A fitness for duty certification is a doctor’s note that states that the employee is physically or mentally fit to return to their job. In conclusion, employers in California are allowed to require a doctor’s note in order to verify an employee’s FMLA leave. This is meant to protect both the employee and employer, as it helps to provide a safe, healthy environment as well as prevent abuse of the system.

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Can employers require a doctor's note to verify an employee's FMLA leave?

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