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Wage and Hour Division
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Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

FMLA Surveys

Overview

Given changes in economic conditions and FMLA regulations since the 2000 employee and employer surveys, WHD needs to collect new information on the use and need of FMLA leave in order to update DOL's understanding of leave-taking behavior and to close current data gaps remaining from the previous surveys. To better understand both employees' and employers' experience with FMLA, two new surveys will be conducted to collect information about the need for and the experience with family and medical leave from employees' and employers' perspectives. This study will help the Department by providing information on current workplace policies and practices related to family and medical leave. An in-depth analysis of private sector FMLA policies allows WHD to determine how those policies affect the work-life balance of workers and the productivity and work flow of employers. The study enables DOL to shape future regulatory options, craft interpretive guidance (such as plain-language fact sheets), develop compliance programs (employer outreach and investigation policies), and establish regulatory priorities based on sound, current data rather than on outdated data or anecdotal information. Finally, the study provides a data set by which DOL can evaluate the effect on employer compliance of a range of FMLA activities--regulatory, educational, investigative, and legal--on employer compliance.

Key News

  • The Department of Labor published a notice that solicits comments concerning its proposal to collect information on employees' and employers' experience with family and medical leave under the FMLA (April 1, 2011).

Draft Surveys

2011 Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Employer and Employee Survey

Previous Surveys