Compliance Stuff

Takeaways The DOL stated in a 01.05.26 opinion letter that if an employee is scheduled to use less than a full workweek of FMLA leave, the time when the employer (a school) is closed for inclement weather will not be deducted from the employee’s FMLA entitlement unless the employee was expected to work during the school closure.  Conversely, however, the opinion letter states i f an employee is scheduled to take a full workweek of FMLA during a week when the school is closed for part of the week, the entire week is counted against an employee’s FMLA entitlement.   The DOL announced in June 2025 that it would launch an expanded opinion letter program. Related link FMLA2026-1 Article The Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division issued an  opinion letter  on Jan. 5, 2026, analyzing how a school closure of less than one full week affects the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitlement of an employee on scheduled FMLA leave . The DOL analyzed key differences ...

With the winter season and snowier conditions just around the corner, is your business prepared for the cold weather safety and leave requests that are also on the forecast?  When snow or ice makes it difficult for staff to travel to work or forces you to close your operations altogether, you may be obligated to pay certain employees. And while there are no specific federal rules on keeping workers safe in the cold, employers still face legal obligations to maintain a safe workplace. Here are a few important reminders and how to handle inclement weather-related leave requests. Risks Rise When the Temperature Drops The lower average temperatures that come along with the winter season present health-related safety risks for employees that primarily work outside. There are currently no federal regulations requiring employers to take specific precautions due to cold weather, but employers do have a legal obligation to maintain a workplace free from hazards. Employers should conduct a h...