Thursday, December 02, 2010

Verizon FMLA settlement may exceed $6 million

Verizon FMLA settlement may exceed $6 million
Source: The FMLA Blog - http://federalfmla.typepad.com/fmla_blog/ Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved by Carl C. Bosland, Esq. Reproduced with permission. Mr. Bosland is the author of A Federal Sector Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act & Related Litigation.

Verizon Communications, Inc. settled a class action lawsuit with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing for up to $6,011,190.00. The suit alleged that between 2007 and 2010 Verizon denied or failed to timely approve class members' requests for leave for their own serious health condition, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, or to bond with a child.

The suit was brought under California's version of the FMLA, which is very similar to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

Verizon also agreed to review and revise its leave policies and procedures, and to train all California managers, supervisors and human resource personnel on legally compliant CFMLA procedures. Verizon did not admit to any wrongdoing in the settlement.

http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/templates/print.cfm?ID=16984

Mr. Bosland Comments: The settlement undoubtedly does not include Verizon's time and expense in defending the suit, which likely added another million dollars to the total tab.
Like the California FMLA, the federal FMLA allows aggrieved employees to file class action lawsuits for violation of their FMLA rights. Employers would be well-advised to continually monitor their leave policies to ensure they remain in compliance with ever-changing FMLA laws. As evidenced by Verizon, failure to do so may result in very expensive and time consuming litigation.
Posted by The Public Employment Law Press on

The Discipline Book, - a concise guide to disciplinary actions involving public employees in New York State. A 1476 page e-book. For more information click on http://booklocker.com/books/5215.html

The Layoff, Preferred List and Reinstatement Manual - a 645 page e-book reviewing the relevant laws, rules and regulations, and selected court and administrative decisions. For more information click on http://booklocker.com/books/5216.html


General Municipal Law§§ 207-a and 207-c - a 1098 page e-book focusing on administering General Municipal Law Sections 207-a/207-c and providing benefits thereunder. For more information click on http://booklocker.com/books/3916.html

Caution: Subsequent court and administrative rulings, or changes to laws, rules and regulations may have modified or clarified or vacated or reversed the decisions summarized here. Accordingly, these summaries should be Shepardized® or otherwise checked to make certain that the most recent information is being considered by the reader.

Consistent with the Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations, the material in this blog is presented with the understanding that the publisher is not providing legal advice to the reader and in the event legal or other expert assistance is needed, the reader should seek such advice from a competent professional.

Written permission is required to copy and distribute items published in NYPPL. Send your request via e-mail to publications@nycap.rr.com

Copyright© 1987 - 2012 by the Public Employment Law Press.



My Photo
This Lawblog is prepared by NYPPL Consultants. NYPPL Consultants assist public employers, public employee organizations and attorneys in matters involving New York State public personnel law. You may contact NYPPL Consultants by e-mail at publications@nycap.rr.com
___________________



N.B. From time to time a political ad or endorsement may appear in the sidebar of this Blog. NYPPL does not have any control over such posting.

_____________________

.