Peskin v. Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School

**Teacher's Leave Case Against Jewish Day School Dismissed** A teacher named Peskin sued the Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School for allegedly violating the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA is a federal law that gives eligible employees the right to take unpaid leave for serious health conditions or family emergencies without losing their jobs. The court dismissed Peskin's case entirely. While the specific details aren't provided, the dismissal likely occurred because religious institutions like Jewish day schools often have special exemptions from certain employment laws, or because the school didn't meet the requirements for FMLA coverage (such as having enough employees). **What This Means for Workers:** This case highlights an important limitation in employment protections. Workers at religious organizations may not have the same job protections as those at secular employers. Religious institutions can sometimes claim exemptions from federal employment laws. Additionally, the FMLA only applies to employers with 50 or more employees, so workers at smaller organizations—religious or not—may not be covered. If you work for a religious institution or small employer, it's important to understand that standard employment protections may not apply to your situation.