FMLA for Court issues??

[Indiana Filer]

What is the name of your state? Indiana

I'm a juvenile probation officer in Indiana, and a client's mother told me that she is going to try to get FMLA approved to use whenever she and he need to be at various court hearings and probation classes. (He's going to be placed in an intensive program.) He's on for runaway and truancy.

I'm just curious if FMLA would cover these types of absences from work. He has been diagnosed with ADD, and she thinks he may be bipolar also. She's claiming that the reason he's in trouble with the law is because his ADD makes him act out.

So, for those of you familiar with FMLA, how likely is it that this will fly with an employer? BTW, she works for a contractor for the federal government. She gets federal employee benefits, such as health insurance. She has worked long enough to qualify for FMLA, if it would apply for something like this.

Thanks,

 

[ecmst12]

I don't think it would fall under FMLA. Her employer has the option of being understanding about her situation or not. If she's considered a federal employee though, the rules might be a little different, because the federal employee version of FMLA is not exactly the same as the standard.

 

[cbg]

The M in FMLA stands for Medical. Going to court is not a medical reason; therefore it is not covered under FMLA.

 

[Indiana Filer]

The M in FMLA stands for Medical. Going to court is not a medical reason; therefore it is not covered under FMLA.

That's what I figured, but I wanted to ask you guys, since I think y'all know everything. (or you're all good at saying it so that it sounds believable!)