United aims to crack down on flight attendants who abuse sick time
The Labor Department is reviewing United Airlines’ leave policies after the carrier implemented stricter measures to crack down on employees abusing sick time.
“Through numerous recent inquiries from workers, the Wage and Hour Division has become aware of a possible change in United Airlines’ leave policies,” said Jessica Looman, the Labor Department’s wage and hour administrator.
Looman said the department will be working with the airline and workers to ensure that the company’s leave policies comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act.” The FMLA ensures that certain employees have up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. Under the law, employees’ group health benefits must also be maintained during their leave. This law applies to all public agencies as well as all public and private elementary and secondary schools, and companies with at least 50 employees.
United told FOX Business that most of their flight attendants “are going above and beyond for our customers this summer,” but that the number of sick calls has continued to “spike on weekends – and only weekends” this year.
United’s contract with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA allows the carrier to require a physician’s note in cases of suspected abuse of sick time, United said, adding that the policy “is narrowly tailored to the days when abuse has been occurring.”
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The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the union representing United flight attendants, claims the move is an attempt to violate the contract and obligations under the law regarding sick leave rights.
