The Georgia Department of Public Health, on the heels of a federal investigation, reinstated an employee wrongly disciplined and fired for absences that were protected law.
The Atlanta employee will receive $77,314 in back wages to resolve violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act, according to a May 24 U.S. Department of Labor news release. Atlanta-based Wage and Hour Division District Director Steven Salazar noted the act ensures workers are protected from having to decide between keeping their jobs and caring for family.
“When employers deny workers their rights to the FMLA and other protections, they may find it more difficult to retain valued employees and recruit others to operate their businesses successfully,” Salazar said in the news release.
The Labor Department noted its investigation found the Georgia Department of Public Health violated the act, according to the release.
The release also noted that, in addition to securing back wages for the employee, the employer had to reinstate them to an equal position with equal pay and benefits they would have earned had they not been unjustly fired.
According to the release, anyone wanting additional information about the Family Medical Leave Act or any other laws can call a toll-free helpline at 866-487-9243.
