Learn How to Minimize the Misuse of FMLA Leave

Since the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) was signed into law, employers have been faced with the challenge of ensuring compliance with the statute’s requirements while also developing strategies to prevent employees from taking unfair advantage of the system. Although confusion surrounding employers’ obligations under the FMLA continues to be an issue, many employers have successfully developed policies to prevent employees from taking FMLA leave they are not entitled to take.  Abuse can be difficult to identify and may be even more difficult to address. In addition to the FMLA, there are a host of other laws that protect employees while taking leave. While most employees will not abuse these rights, many will. Those who abuse the system create many headaches for employers and causes morale problems among those who are not abusing the system. How do you identify the abuse and what can you do about it? 

Learning Objectives:

• What types of leave are most likely to be abused and why.
• Signs that there may be FMLA abuse.
• Using medical certifications to combat abuse.
• “Red flags” that suggest an employee might to be abusing leave.
• Strategies to identify abuse.
• Important steps in managing FMLA abuse investigations.
• Documenting FMLA effectively to curb abuse.
• Types of company policies to manage FMLA leaves effectively.
• Conducting the proper investigation into potential abuse.
• Analyze investigative findings and prepare a report.
• Avoiding retaliation claims when terminating after FMLA leave.
• Employer obligations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Who Will Benefit: Human resource professionals, Risk Managers, Business Owners