In a case of first impression, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a court system supervisor may be liable as an individual under the federal law that allows employees to take 12 weeks of job-protected leave for medical reasons.

The issue has split the circuit courts. The 3rd Circuit sided with the 5th Circuit and the 8th Circuit in finding that a supervisor in a governmental agency may be subject to individual liability under the Family and Medical Leave Act.