If an employee on FMLA/CFRA does not turn in the required medical certification on time, can the company deny their leave and terminate them?

Absent extenuating circumstances, such as a health care provider who is unavailable, an employer may deny Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)/California Family Rights Act (CFRA) leave if the employee fails to timely turn in the certification. The employer must give the employee no less than 15 calendar days to provide the certification, unless it's not practicable for the employee to do so despite the employee's good faith efforts. Exercise caution and document that you gave the employee notice of the certification requirement and any efforts to obtain certification.

If an employee never produces the certification, the leave is not protected family and medical leave, and you would follow your own absence policy.

Read more about Certification for Family and Medical Leave in the HR Library.

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