USCA 9th Holds Phone Calls Don't Constitute Care

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that making phone calls and providing psychological reassurance do not amount to "caring for" a family member under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In Tellis v. Alaska Airlines, Inc., No. 04-35137, 07/12/2005, Charles Tellis, a maintenance mechanic for Alaska Airlines in Seattle, requested time off to care for his pregnant wife. When Tellis requested time off on July 4, he was told by his supervisor to request FMLA leave. Tellis did not show up for his scheduled shift that evening, and, instead, left a leave request form, ...