Orlando partner Patrick Muldowney was quoted in a December 19 Orlando Business Journal article, "2009 Changes to FMLA Include Blessings, Curses."
According to the article, the first overhaul of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in more than a dozen years takes effect in January, bringing changes related to military leave, clarifying regulations for employers and employees, and potentially curbing litigation.
The new regulations provide a definition of a serious health condition and establish a procedural process for notice to employees, according to the article. In addition to the procedural process, regulations regarding military leave are among the most significant changes in the FMLA.
"There are a number of areas where the Department of Labor is trying to help employers streamline existing regulations," said Muldowney, who is also president of the Central Florida Human Resource Association.