SGT NEWS

Unemployment Benefits Extended

In addition to the standard 26 weeks of benefits, qualified individuals can seek additional unemployment compensation.  President Bush signed into law the legislation that permits seven additional weeks of payments to people who have exhausted their benefits or will exhaust them shortly.  Individuals in states where the unemployment rate is above 6% may be entitled to an additional 13 weeks of benefits in additional to the 26 weeks of regular benefits. 

See:       http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-jobless1121,0,1441663.story.

For information regarding Unemployment Benefits in Maryland, see:  http://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/unemployment.shtml.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Revisions

In a November 14, 2008 news release, the Department of Labor announced that it will publish a final rule on November 17 to update its FMLA regulations.  Under the final rule, America’s military families can care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty on active duty for up to 26 workweeks of leave in a 12-month period.  The new revisions also seek to refine application of FMLA, including not counting light duty assignments against an employee’s FMLA leave entitlement, and define notice obligations from employer and employee, amongst other revisions.  You can review the DOL press release at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/esa/esa20081703.htm.

Impact of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008

The ADA Amendments Act was signed on September 25, 2008 by the President.  The amendments to the ADA seek to refine the definition of “disability,” taking into account Superme Court decisions, the EEOC’s ADA regulations, and Congressional intent.    For more on the revisions, see:  http://eeoc.gov/ada/amendments_notice.html and http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s3406enr.txt.pdf.

EEOC & MCHR Charge Processing

You may know that filing a timely charge is necessary for individuals pursuing a claim of unlawful discrimination under Federal or State laws that fall under the jurisdiction of the EEOC and/or MCHR.  Charge processing can take several months.  If an individual initiates an investigation on-line, it is very important to assure that you sign an actual charge form with the EEOC or MCHR and are assigned a charge number.  Contact information for the EEOC http://eeoc.gov/contact.html or select the "Contact Us" tab on the MCHR website at: http://www.mchr.state.md.us/.