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
