Overview

It is unfortunate that HR professionals must manage abuse of employee leave - but it is a reality, as more and more employees utilize the FMLA as a means to avoid disciplinary action for poor attendance and tardiness. But what can HR do? Well, a lot.

Even though the FMLA regulations are complex, confusing, and present loopholes that are easy to exploit, companies should not be reluctant to deny leave or terminate troublesome employees for fear of being sued. 

FMLA abuse is an issue wherein employees take undue time off by abusing the Family and Medical Leave Act rights. It is often challenging to end it because so many rules protect employee rights.

The FMLA, or the Family and Medical Leave Act, may grant up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to specific staff members employed by covered employers each year. Companies must also offer health benefits when the worker is working actively. Public organizations, including state, local and national companies and public-school systems, are examples of covered employers.

Why you should Attend

Unfortunately, FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) abuse occurs. When companies do catch it, the cases frequently end up in court, where the company can only prevail if they can show that they meticulously recorded the leave, carried out a comprehensive inspection and were able to establish beyond a possible suspicion that the abuse occurred.

Although employee rights are well guarded, you, as an employer, have legal options available when dealing with FMLA abuse, provided you have substantial proof to back up your claims. With the correct strategy and workforce management, you won’t need to worry about FMLA abuse cases much.

Areas Covered in the Session

• Learn Strategies for identifying abuse
• Learn how to identify, investigate and meet compliance standards
• Learn Employer obligations under the Family and Medical Leave Act
• Learn the most common abuses of FMLA and why it's happening
• Learn how updating FMLA policies and regular training will provide a first line of defense
• Learn how documentation of events appropriately is a key factor to confirm compliance
• How to leverage your internal resources to prevent FMLA abuse
• Learn who are the individuals you need to involve in an internal investigation
• The basic steps in how to conduct an effective investigation and how to acquire physical, documentary, and testimonial evidence
• Learn how you can confirm compliance of FMLA by 3rd party vendors
• Learn when you can effectively terminate an employee during FMLA
• How to take effective steps managing FMLA abuse investigations
• How to evaluate investigative findings and prepare a report that meets regulation
  

Who Will Benefit

• All Employers with 50+ Employees
• All Employers with 40+ Employees who will meet FMLA requirement by the next year
• Company Leadership
• Compliance professionals
• Payroll Administrators
• HR Professionals
• Managers/Supervisors