2023 DMEC FMLA/ADA Employer Compliance Conference: Serious Health Condition or Serious Vacation? The FMLA In a Virtual Workplace

Your remote employee is out for her serious health condition, or is she? When you call, you hear background noise inconsistent with her leave (festive music, cheering, etc.). Another remote worker on intermittent leave for a serious health condition frequently misses calls and deadlines but blames it on a sudden flare-up of his medical condition.

How do you handle these situations? Catching FMLA abuse and managing intermittent leaves is always challenging, but it is more difficult with virtual workforces. In this session, we will identify issues employers face when trying to track and monitor FMLA abuse, managing intermittent leave, and supporting the “honest belief” defense in a virtual work environment in light of regulations, case law, and DOL guidance.