The Mailbag.

• Date: 01 August 2023
• Author: Davenport, Anniken

FMLA to care for overseas parent when certification is in doubt?

Q An employee has asked for FMLA leave to care for a parent who lives in a foreign country. The employee says it may be difficult to obtain a medical certification form documenting the parent's serious health condition. Must the employee provide certification in order to be granted FMLA leave?

1. Yes. If you require an FMLA certification for other employees who need to care for a parent in the United States, you can also require a certification from an employee who wants to care for a parent in a foreign country.

   According to the Department of Labor, "If the employee or the employee's family member is visiting another country, or a family member resides in another country, and a serious health condition...