The discussion around FMLA continues as host Amber Clayton and Helen Applewhaite, Director, Division of FMLA and Other Labor Standards, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, dive into specific scenarios and whether they qualify for FMLA. They also cover how the U.S. Department of Labor can help you stay in compliance with FMLA. Watch part one here.
Episode Guest
-
Helen Applewhaite
Director, Division of FMLA and Other Labor Standards, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
Helen M. Applewhaite is the Director of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Other Labor Standards Division of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division’s (WHD) Office of Policy in Washington, D.C. Helen leads a small staff of senior experts in developing policy guidance and in providing subject-matter expertise on the application of several key laws that provide critical worker protections. Areas she covers include protections under the FMLA and the break time and space requirements for pumping breast milk at work under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Helen began her career with WHD as an Investigator and has worked at all levels of the agency. She has won numerous WHD and Departmental awards, including a Distinguished Career Service award and an award for Excellence in Leadership.
Related Article
Coordinating compliance with leave and disability-rights statutes remains a challenge for employers. Legal experts share how to avoid mishandling these situations.
Enjoy On Your Favorite App
More From SHRM
As part of SHRM's commitment to providing cutting-edge resources, get additional perspective and more insights in content curated from SHRM and around the web.
Oprah Winfrey encouraged HR professionals at SHRM26 not to lose focus on the most important parts of the job: people and the culture that helps them thrive.
At SHRM26, SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, urged HR professionals to connect people strategy to business performance.
Economic concerns aren’t swaying more employers from offering paid parental leave benefits, the 2026 SHRM Employee Benefits Study reveals.