I highly recommend that all employers provide some kind of FMLA and ADA training to all
managerial employees. It should focus on providing a solid understanding of the FMLA and
the ADA so that managers appreciate where their legal obligations arise from.
Second, the training needs to provide practical, real-life information and skill building. Managers
need to understand how to handle issues that arise daily, such as how to handle a phone call
from an employee who throws down his or her tools and announces, “I’m leaving. I’m taking an
FMLA day today.” Where do you draw the line on how much to ask an employee about their health
condition? Managers need to know these kinds of things.
All too often, the training that is provided to managers simply focuses on the law and
does not get into daily practice. How can they develop the skills necessary to identify
potential FMLA leave or potential abuse and respond? Employers should work with their
employment counsel to provide this training.
