Legal Question in Medical Leave in Arkansas

sickness-taking off at work

I am a worker in a unionized papermill in arkansas that counts the occurances an individual calls in to be off no matter what for. They allow an employee up to 6 occurances in a year with the year being the 12months back. I called in on 2 occurances to go drive my father back from out of town. He was on oxygen. I had to take off to take my wife to get minor surgery done. I had to take off to drive my Dad to the emergency room 2hr away for breathing problems - he was admitted to the hospital. He passed away Nov. 21,1997. They want to talk to me about excessive occurances of missing work. I was trying to work all I could but with him in such bad shape I had to call in several times and rush to the hospital here locally or in Little Rock, AR about 2 hr away. This was not a situation where I could take off such as on leave. I feel that since I did what i had to do each time that I should not be written up for excessive occurances. What is your opinion on this and can they hold it against me for having to help sick family members. I don't believe they will do any thing but make a record of this but I didn't want a little mole hill to turn into a mountain and eventually cost me my job. Please reply and let me know if I am covered by this new law. Thank you!


Asked on 12/29/97, 1:43 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Luther Sutter Harrill & Sutter

FMLA PROTECTION FOR CARE OF FAMILY

This is a blatant violation of the FMLA, if what you say is true. I encourage you to contact me to discuss your situation. There will be no charge and you can call collect

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Answered on 1/02/98, 2:01 pm


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