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USDOLRev. 06-2023

Official form guide

Form WH-381: Notice of Eligibility and Rights and Responsibilities (FMLA)

Employer notice to an employee of FMLA eligibility status and their rights and responsibilities under FMLA. Employers must provide this notice within 5 business days of receiving a leave request.

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Form Overview

DOL Form WH-381 - Notice of Eligibility and Rights and Responsibilities (FMLA)

Employer notice to an employee of FMLA eligibility status and their rights and responsibilities under FMLA. Employers must provide this notice within 5 business days of receiving a leave request.

An official notice stating whether the employee is eligible for FMLA and outlining leave rights and responsibilities.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1Employer not providing the notice within 5 business days — this may prevent the employer from counting the leave against FMLA entitlement.
  • 2Employee not noting the certification deadline — failure to return certification can result in leave denial.
  • 3Employee not understanding the requirement to use accrued paid leave concurrently with FMLA.

Plain English

This is the form your employer gives you when you request FMLA leave. It tells you whether you are eligible and what your rights and responsibilities are.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: Employer must provide within 5 business days of receiving notice that leave may be FMLA-qualifying.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

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Field map

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8 fields

Employee Info

1 items

Employee Name

Employee's name.

Requiredtext

Eligibility

2 items

FMLA Eligibility

Whether the employee is eligible for FMLA leave.

Requiredcheckbox
Ineligibility Reason

If ineligible, the specific reason.

text

Leave Details

3 items

Reason for Leave

The FMLA-qualifying reason for leave.

Requiredselect
Certification Required

Whether medical certification is required.

Requiredcheckbox
Certification Due Date

Deadline for returning certification forms.

date

Paid Leave

1 items

Paid Leave Substitution

Which accrued paid leave must be used concurrently.

text

Signature

1 items

Authorized Employer Representative

HR representative's name and title.

Requiredtext

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Quick Facts

Completed by employers and given to employees who request FMLA leave.
An official notice stating whether the employee is eligible for FMLA and outlining leave rights and responsibilities.
Employer must provide within 5 business days of receiving notice that leave may be FMLA-qualifying.
Employer provides to employee at the workplace or by mail.
Federal FMLA regulations require employers to notify employees of their eligibility and obligations within 5 business days.
Employer completes the form based on the employee's eligibility status and specific leave request details.

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Source transparency

Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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