Surveillance: Family Medical Leave Act

Claimant with alleged back injury.

Do you suspect abuse of the FMLA?

Is there a pattern of FMLA abuse?

While the Family Medical Leave Act may benefit employees who are coping with significant family related problems, the law has also offered significant opportunities for abuse. The cost of holding positions open, and the instability that can result within the organization can have a significant impact on the bottom line. NASS professionals can successfully monitor an employee to determine whether FMLA abuse is occurring.

Background of Claimant: Our first objective is to gather as much background information on the claimant as possible. Through discussions with the client, using in-house database searches, and checking public records, investigators build a profile of the claimant. To maximize surveillance efforts, pretext telephone calls are used to help determine when the claimant is most likely to be home.

Surveillance of Claimant: NASS investigators are professionally trained and experienced in FMLA investigations. We understand the importance of maintaining credibility throughout the investigation. Our investigators will not trespass on the claimant's property, enter the residence under false pretenses, or use unethical tactics to obtain evidence.

Surveillance Equipment: NASS investigators are equipped with state-of-the-art video recording equipment. Covert cameras built into pagers, fanny packs, baseball hats, etc. are available to investigators for videotaping inside public places. At the conclusion of the investigation, the videotape documentation is edited to a composite, creating an effective presentation for hearings or court proceedings.

Investigative Report: A detailed investigative report is provided to the client, along with the composite and raw footage videotape. Still frames from the surveillance footage are inserted into the report, detailing the claimant's activity. In addition, the entire investigation is provided on CD-ROM, with appropriate segments of videotape linked to pertinent sections of the report.

NASS has the experience and the staff to handle this type of sensitive surveillance. Our proven surveillance methods have resulted in significant cost and productivity savings for our clients. To find out more, click here.