The U.S. Department of Labor has concluded that CREOKS Health Services, operating as TruHealth Integrated Care, unlawfully terminated an employee for using federally protected medical leave. The Wage and Hour Division's investigation revealed that the healthcare provider, which runs 24 locations in eastern Oklahoma and one in Mountain View, Arkansas, did not respond promptly to the employee's request for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave. This delay hindered the employee from utilizing their FMLA rights. Consequently, the employer dismissed the worker for job abandonment without assessing their FMLA eligibility.
As a result of these findings, TruHealth Integrated Care has been ordered to compensate the former employee with $15,000 in lost wages. The company is contracted by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to offer various healthcare services.
Wage and Hour District Director Michael Speer in Oklahoma City stated: “Compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act is not a choice employers can make. An employee eligible for this protected leave must be allowed to exercise their right and use this leave without fear of losing their job.” He further emphasized that "The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to ensuring that employees’ rights are protected and will use all available remedies when violations are found.”
