The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) continues to be a conundrum for many of our members as well as management. It was recently brought to our attention that nurses are receiving negative ratings with respect to attendance on their annual appraisals, despite the fact that their absences were FMLA approved. NJNU’s position is simple: If you were approved for an absence in accordance with the FMLA guidelines, then management can not hold that absence against you in any way, shape, or form.
NJNU is currently investigating this issue as we suspect that this may be a widespread practice. If you think that you may have received a negative rating for attendance on your appraisal, please notify your local delegate as soon as possible or call the office for more information.
In addition, if you have questions concerning an absence, (whether past, present, or future), please call our office. Many of our members are not taking advantage of the FMLA protections that are currently afforded to them.