Have you received note after note extending an employee’s leave?  Do you have employees who have been out on leave more than 6 months who you think may never be returning?  Are you frustrated with navigating the overlapping leave laws?

Many agencies have employees who have been on a leave of absence for an extended period.  Employers often do not know when—or even if—the employees will be returning.  Employers are often uncertain what rights they have and what actions can be taken to address the situation.  Should you bring the employee back to work on unmodified duty, have another interactive process meeting, separate them, or consider disability retirement?

LCW will work with your agency to develop a tailored, proactive approach to manage your employees on extended leaves.  We will provide specific advice and strategies to address each employee’s circumstances and ensure the agency remains in compliance with all applicable laws.  Some of the services we can provide include:

• Leave Review Services
• Personalized review of specific leaves of absence.
• Strategies for determining whether additional medical documentation is required and requesting additional documentation.
• Supporting and reviewing possible reasonable accommodations.
• Facilitating and attending interactive process meetings.
• Reviewing agency-wide leave concerns.
• Reviewing and revising leave policies.
• Assisting in disability retirements.
• Assisting in medical separations.
• Providing workshops and trainings.
• Reviewing medical documentation for sufficiency.
• Advising on all aspects of leave laws and disability discrimination laws.
• Development of best practices protocols.

Need assistance in this area? Let us know and one of our attorneys will reach out to you ASAP.