The Department of Labor recently issued updated versions of certifications employers can use when employees ask for FMLA leave. The new certifications are in effect until August 31, 2021. However, only the expiration date has changed.

The older forms with an expired date are still fully compliant with the FMLA but do tend to cause questions. Remember, these are just “safe harbor” forms; they are not mandatory. As many of our readers and employer clients have experienced firsthand, the DOL certification forms do not always provide employers with a “complete and sufficient certification.”

As a result, Matrix has developed its own certifications for employee’s own serious health condition and for a family member’s serious health condition that we use for managing our clients’ FMLA claims. These customized forms have resulted in fewer incomplete or unclear certifications, leading in turn to more expedient and efficient adjudication of FMLA entitlement. Matrix will be using the DOL certifications with the new expiration dates for military exigencies and for care of an ill or injured servicemember or veteran.

The new DOL forms are available here.

MATRIX CAN HELP!

Matrix provides leave, disability, and accommodation management services to employers seeking a comprehensive and compliant solution to these complex employer obligations. We monitor the many leave laws being passed around the country and specialize in understanding how they work together.

If you have questions, contact your Account Manager or ping@matrixcos.com.