The US Department of Labor recently revised the model Family and Medical Leave Act notices and medical certification forms to be given to employees in connection with the FMLA. The forms are not substantially changed from the prior versions, but do make clear that the employer is not seeking information about genetic tests, genetic services or the manifestation of disease or disorder in an employee’s family members. The forms and notices are accessible on the DOL website here and are set to expire on May 31, 2018.

California employers who use the form for employees requesting leave for their own health conditions should be aware that the form conflicts with California law. While the California Family Rights Act is substantially similar to the FMLA, it does not permit the employer to ask an employee’s diagnosis, which the FMLA forms ask in section A(4). Prudent California employers should note that this question pertains to the FMLA only.

If you suspect your employer's actions constitute a violation of your rights, it may be a good idea if you decide to retain an fmla lawyer to help you in this matter. Maybe speak to the LawsuitLegal.com team in Florida about what their lawyers can do for you.

This blog is presented under protest by the law firm of Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP. It is essentially the random thoughts and opinions of someone who lives in the trenches of the war that often is employment law–he/she may well be a little shell-shocked. So if you are thinking “woohoo, I just landed some free legal advice that will fix all my problems!”, think again. This is commentary, people, a sketchy overview of some current legal issue with a dose of humor, but commentary nonetheless; as if Dennis Miller were a lawyer…and still mildly amusing. No legal advice here; you would have to pay real US currency for that (unless you are my mom, and even then there are limits). But feel free to contact us with your questions and comments—who knows, we might even answer you. And if you want to spread this stuff around, feel free to do so, but please keep it in its present form (‘cause you can’t mess with this kind of poetry). Big news: Copyright 2015. All rights reserved; yep, all of them.

If you have any questions about this article, contact the writer directly, assuming he or she was brave enough to attach their name to it. If you have any questions regarding this blog or your life in general, contact Kelly O. Scott, Esq., commander in chief of this blog and Head Honcho (official legal title) of ECJ’s Employment Law Department, at (310) 281-6348