Katelyn Walker Mooney Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy | Official Website
An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has resulted in the recovery of $14,082 in back wages for an employee at Methodist Family Health in Little Rock, Arkansas. The department found that the hospital had unlawfully terminated a worker who was on family medical leave, violating the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The investigation revealed that the employee was entitled to 12 weeks of protected leave due to a serious medical condition and parental responsibilities following their child's birth. However, Methodist Family Health ended the employment after nine weeks, incorrectly calculating the leave based on combined usage with the worker's spouse, who is also employed by the company.
"The Family Medical Leave Act allows eligible employees to care for themselves or their families without fear of losing their jobs," stated Wage and Hour District Director Hanz Grünauer in Little Rock. "The U.S. Department of Labor will defend worker protections and flexibilities protected by law and pursue all available remedies when those rights are violated."
Employees and employers seeking confidential compliance assistance can contact the agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Additionally, a new Timesheet App is available for iOS and Android devices to help ensure accurate tracking of hours and pay.
