The Essential Guide to Family & Medical Leave

appendix C | forms and checklists | 393
P Managers’
Checklist
Medical Certifications
o I requested a medical certification as soon as I learned that the employee was
seeking leave for a potentially serious health condition.
o I made the request in writing, dated and signed.
o The request explained the consequences of failing to return the certification on
time.
o I gave the employee a medical certification form.
o I did not request any information that goes beyond what’s required by the form.
o I worked with the employee to get a complete medical certification.
o If the form was not returned on time, I contacted the employee immediately to
find out why and explain the importance of getting the form in.
o If the form was returned incomplete, I told the employee about the problem
and provided an opportunity to correct it.
o I requested a second opinion if I had doubts about the initial medical certification.
o I did not send the employee to a health care provider who is regularly
employed by my company.
o While the second opinion was pending, I provided FMLA benefits to the
employee.
o I provided a copy of the second opinion to the employee, within two days
after receiving his or her request.
o Before acting on a second opinion that contradicts the first, I consulted
with an attorney.
o I requested recertifications as appropriate.
o I requested recertification only every 30 days or when the employee’s initial
certification expired, unless an exception allowed me to request one more often.
o I requested recertification whenever the employee’s situation changed or I
learned information that cast doubt on the employee’s reasons for leave.
o I placed the medical certification(s) and any recertifications in confidential
medical files, not the employee’s regular personnel file.