When applying for leave for
the first time, the burden is on the employer. The employee may not know of FMLA, and/or may not have a computer to go online to UPSers dot com. That's why the employee asks for (generic) leave, and the company must get back to him in writing with all the necessary FMLA paperwork and instructions.
Q. What information must an employee give when providing notice of the need for FMLA leave?
A. When an employee seeks leave for the first time for a FMLA-qualifying reason, the employee does not need to specifically assert his or her rights under FMLA, or even mention FMLA. The employee must, however, provide “sufficient information” to make the employer aware of the need for FMLA leave and the anticipated timing and duration of the leave. . . .
As to call-in proceedures, if you are taking previously approved FMLA leave that had a
definite schedule, there is no call-in requirement, just as there is no need to call-in the morning of the start of your scheduled vacation.
However if you are taking pre-approved FMLA leave, where the exact date(s) were
not specified at the time of approval, then obviously you must notify UPS, as UPS would have no way of knowing otherwise. Similar to taking a sick day.