Submitting your Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) certification is a major step, but it isn’t always the end of the process. After your paperwork reaches your employer, it goes through a review to determine whether your leave request meets FMLA requirements. Depending on the completeness of your documentation, you may receive an approval, a request for clarification, or, in some cases, a denial.
Understanding the FMLA approval process can help you know what to expect, respond promptly to employer requests, and avoid unnecessary delays while protecting your workplace rights.
Employer Review of Your Certification
Once your employer receives your FMLA certification, they review it to determine whether you meet the legal requirements for protected leave. This includes verifying employee eligibility, confirming certification was completed by a qualified healthcare provider, and determining whether the medical information supports the requested leave.
Employers generally cannot request additional medical information beyond what FMLA regulations allow, but they may evaluate whether the documentation is complete and sufficient before making a decision.
Requests for Clarification
Receiving a request for clarification does not necessarily mean your leave will be denied. The U.S. Department of Labor permits employers to seek authentication or clarification when certification is incomplete or unclear. For example, missing signatures, inconsistent dates, or vague information about leave frequency may require corrections.
Employees who carefully review their FMLA paperwork before submission often reduce the likelihood of these requests. If you’re applying for intermittent FMLA leave, ensuring the certification clearly explains the expected frequency and duration of absences is especially important.
Approval Timelines
FMLA regulations require employers to notify employees whether leave has been designated as FMLA-qualifying within five business days after obtaining sufficient information, whenever practicable.
However, timelines may vary if additional clarification or corrected certification is needed. Responding promptly to employer requests and maintaining communication throughout the process can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Why Requests Are Sometimes Denied
Not every FMLA request is approved. Denials may occur if the employee does not meet eligibility requirements, the medical condition does not qualify as a serious health condition, deadlines are missed, or the certification remains incomplete despite opportunities to correct it.
What to Do Next
After approval, carefully review your employer’s designation notice to understand how leave will be tracked, whether certification updates may be required, and any reporting procedures for future absences. If clarification is requested, respond as quickly as possible and work with your healthcare provider to provide the necessary corrections. Keeping copies of all submitted forms and employer communications can help resolve future questions more efficiently.
Once you’ve submitted your FMLA request, staying organized and responding promptly to any employer questions can help keep the process on track.
If you need help obtaining the required documentation, MyFMLA offers an expert online FMLA certification service that streamlines the certification process for eligible employees.
Get started and move one step closer to completing your FMLA request with confidence; contact us today.
