Managing leaves of absence is an ongoing issue for many employers. Several laws potentially apply to leaves -- the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and workers' compensation apply most often. Recent guidance under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act has added protections for pregnant employees. Employees who serve in the reserves or as active duty military have rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act limits an employer's access to medical information. Health care reform has added rules for handling time out on a leave when determining if the person should be considered a full-time employee. And a growing number of cities and states are requiring employers to provide paid sick leave.

Thomas M. Lucas is a Shareholder and Litigation Manager in the Norfolk, Virginia, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Mr. Lucas represents management exclusively in the full range of employment and labor law matters, including employment discrimination litigation and traditional labor law. An experienced trial attorney, Mr. Lucas defends clients in litigation arising under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and in other employment-related civil litigation. He also represents clients before federal and state administrative and regulatory agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor (Wage & Hour, OFCCP, OSHA), the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Justice and ICE. Mr. Lucas' counseling practice includes drafting employment policies, handbooks, employment and non-competition agreements, and advising clients on the difficult day-to-day issues arising in the workplace. He trains managers and supervisors in the law and practice of union avoidance.

Kristina H. Vaquera is a Shareholder in the Norfolk, Virginia, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Ms. Vaquera's practice focuses exclusively on labor and employment counseling and litigation. She represents employers in federal and state court lawsuits and agency investigations and charges covering a wide range of statutes and subjects, including anti-discrimination and civil rights laws, wrongful termination claims, wage and hour laws, covenants not to compete, leave of absence claims, negligent hire/retention, and breaches of fiduciary duty and contract. Ms. Vaquera has litigated class and collective actions, including FLSA, FCRA, and discrimination class actions. She also represents clients in mediation and arbitration before various national and state entities. As part of Ms. Vaquera's counseling practice, she assists clients with employment agreements, handbooks, background checks and drug testing issues, and disciplinary action.