In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (“FMLA“) into law. At this point in time, the United States workforce was experiencing large growth and many new workers were women. The FMLA was designed to provide relief to employees who intended to raise a family or needed time off work due to an illness. Under the FMLA, eligible employees can take time off work for family and medical related reasons, with the confidence that their job will still be there when they return. Over time, the FMLA was expanded to protect servicemembers and military families who need time off from work related to military service obligations.

The forms required to be completed by employees and employers under the FMLA are distributed by the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”). These forms typically expire every three years, and are periodically updated by the DOL. The FMLA forms are national in scope and no special forms are applicable to Minnesota employers.

New FMLA Forms Available
The most recently updated FMLA forms were set to expire on May 31, 2018. The DOL temporarily extended the forms’ expiration date to August 31, 2018.
Over the Labor Day weekend, while many Minnesota employees and employers were enjoying time away from work, the DOL made available the newest model FMLA notices and medical certification forms. As predicted by several experts and employment attorneys, the forms remain unchanged this year. All that differs from the previous forms is the expiration date. The current FMLA forms are now good through August 31, 2021.

Links to the newest FMLA forms are provided below:

FMLA Notices:
Notice of Eligibility and Rights & Responsibilities (WH-381)
Designation Notice (WH-382)

FMLA Certification Forms:
Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee’s Serious Health Condition (WH-380-E)
Certification of Health Care Provider for Family Member’s Serious Health Condition (WH-380-F)
Certification of Qualifying Exigency for Military Family Leave (WH-384)
Certification for Serious Injury or Illness of Current Servicemember – For Military Family Leave (WH-385)
Certification for Serious Injury or Illness of a Veteran for Military Caregiver Leave (WH-385-V)

If you are a Minnesota employer or employee with questions about the FMLA or utilizing the newly-issued FMLA forms from the DOL, please contact one of the Minnesota employment law attorneys of Trepanier MacGillis Battina P.A.
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About
the Author: 
Minnesota FMLA lawyer Craig W. Trepanier practices extensively in the field of employment law and routinely advises both employers and employees on issues related to medical leaves, the FMLA, the ADA, and disabilities in the workplace. Craig can be reached at 612.455.0502 or craig@trepanierlaw.com. Trepanier MacGillis Battina P.A. is a Minnesota FMLA law firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Related Topics: 
Recent Amendments to the FMLA and Department of Labor FMLA Regulations
Congress Amends FMLA for Families With Armed Forces Service Members
Court Says “Stay Home” to Employees on FMLA Leave Who Can’t Do Their Jobs