FMLA Paperwork

My employer says I have to have FMLA paperwork filled out every 3 month's by my GI for my CD. Is this the norm??? Thanks, KayC

Mine is good for a year so I'm not sure if it's different state wide or a company thing.

I live in California, and its every 12 mos also.

I am in HR and deal with FMLA on a regular basis (as well as being on it myself).  The length of time that your employer will approve your FMLA depends on the amount of time your doctor says you will need off.  Just because the federal law says you get up to 12 weeks in a 12 month period of time does not automatically mean that your FMLA is approved for a year.  If you have a chronic health condition that the doctor says is life-long, some employers will approve the FMLA for 12 months.  Some approve it for shorter periods of time because it is possible that someone will use all 12 weeks in a shorter period of time.  The company can have a policy stating that they are allowed to get updated doctor's information during the time that they have approved you to use the FMLA.  So, even if the dr says life-long and they approve it for 12 months, the employer is permitted to request recertification by your dr during that time.  My company has a policy saying they can do it but not more than every 3 months.  The federal law supports the employers in doing this.  Employers can even request that you get a second opinion at your expense.  I think most companies don't request the second opinion though unless they suspect that someone is abusing the FMLA, but that may not always be the case.  Bottom line is yes, they can request request updates every 3 months.