Do you own or work at a company with 50 or more employees? If so, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) likely is applicable. Violations of the FMLA have serious legal consequences. A successful plaintiff might be entitled to the recovery of lost back pay, lost front pay, emotional distress/punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. Even if you prevail in the lawsuit, the average cost of defending an FMLA lawsuit is approximately $80,000.
For the individual manager or owner of the company, this law can be especially frightening. In addition to exposing the company to these penalties, the FMLA could impose personal liability upon employees, or owners who commit violations and meet the definition of an “employer” under the FMLA.
Too often, companies wait until they get sued before taking note of how the Family and Medical Leave Act might impact their business. Don’t be that company. Read the full article on the COSE website for an overview of the FMLA and what your liability is under the act.
Mark Turner can be reached by phone at (440) 571-7773 or by email at [email protected].
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