Simplifying the Family and Medical Leave Act

Providing protected leave to employees under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) helps balance the demands of work and home. It can also create compliance conundrums for HR to unravel. We will walk through tools, guidance and best practices to help navigate these challenges.  This training is intended for supervisors and other individuals who manage employees.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law originally enacted in 1993 and amended in 2008 (and again in 2009). The overall purpose of the FMLA is to mandate that certain large employers provide a balance between the demands of the workplace and the needs of families by providing job-protected, unpaid leave to eligible employees. The FMLA amendments of 2008 and 2009 extended the FMLA to certain military-related situations. The amendments provide leave for qualifying military exigencies and leave for families of covered military members.

Speaker:  John Pavao

State ADA Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer, State Human Resources Division

John provides leadership and direction to Montana state government in the areas of equal opportunity policy and program development, the Americans with Disabilities Act, equal opportunity compliance, veteran and service member employment rights, veterans and persons with disabilities employment preference, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other HR-related topics.

John has a bachelor’s degree in workforce education and development from Southern Illinois University, a master’s degree in human resources management from Webster University, and a master’s certificate in human resources management from Villanova University.  John received a certification an “official” certification as an ADA coordinator through the University of Missouri - College of Human and Environmental Sciences, School of Architectural Studies.

John spent 23 years in the U.S. Air Force where he served in a variety of capacities.  His work experience includes 8 years in a law enforcement-related field and 30 years directly related to managing equal opportunity compliance.  John’s experience includes oversight and management of these programs on both a military, civilian, and public sector level.