Can FMLA be investigated?

Asked by: Hester Konopelski  |  Last update: January 10, 2026
Score: 5/5 (34 votes)

Bottom line on termination for FMLA leave abuse Suppose an employer cannot find evidence of an employee's abuse of leave on its own; it could call in a professional investigator for investigation of the suspected leave abuse (an employer cannot simply rely on employees/co-workers).

Do employers call doctors to verify FMLA?

Your medical details are protected by FMLA and HIPAA laws, and employers cannot request information about their medical conditions or obtain copies of their medical records.

Can FMLA be questioned?

Under the FMLA regulations, once an employer receives notice that an employee may be eligible for FMLA leave, the employer is permitted to request a medical certification to confirm the employee's need for leave.

What is considered FMLA harassment?

Whether physical or verbal, FMLA harassment occurs if your employer or another employee intimidates you. Intimidation can happen before, during or after you take FMLA leave. Typically, these threats involve your current job or future with the company.

Does FMLA get audited?

A test audit could include auditing all FMLA claims over the past 12 to 24 months to ensure policies are aligned, forms and correspondence are compliant, and processes are clearly stated and supported. It is best to uncover any deficiencies before the DOL has a chance to.

Family Medical Leave Act: Top 5 Violations

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Who can see my FMLA paperwork?

You should only allow those who administer leave to have access to the information in these medical records. That being said, the parties listed below may have access to certain information depending upon the situation: Managers or supervisors who must be informed of work restrictions or accommodations.

How do companies track FMLA?

Keep track of the employee's work schedule.

Here's how to track intermittent FMLA leave: Record the team member's schedule during the pay period (how many hours they worked) and subtract it from how many hours they took of FMLA. Let's say your employee is scheduled to work 60 hours during the pay period.

Can you be disciplined for using FMLA?

An employee may not be punished for using FMLA leave.

Does the EEOC investigate FMLA claims?

of Labor's wage and hour division has jurisdiction over complaints regarding the application of FMLA, the EEOC has jurisdiction where a complainant alleges discriminatory application of FMLA provisions based on the employee's membership in a protected class.

How do you catch someone abusing FMLA?

Here are a few things to look out for that could indicate FMLA leave abuse.
  1. Insufficient Documentation. ...
  2. Pattern of Absences. ...
  3. Employment at a Second Job. ...
  4. Communicate With Employees. ...
  5. Request Appropriate Documentation. ...
  6. Track Leave Balances. ...
  7. Investigate if Necessary.

Can your manager question you about FMLA?

In all cases, the employer may ask additional questions to determine if the leave is FMLA-qualifying. Generally, an employee must give at least 30 days advance notice of the need to take FMLA leave when he or she knows about the need for the leave in advance and it is possible and practical to do so.

What is an example of FMLA retaliation?

Understanding FMLA Retaliation in California

FMLA retaliation occurs when an employer takes negative action against an employee because they used or tried to use their FMLA leave rights. This can include being fired, demoted, losing a promotion, having pay reduced, or even being given a less desirable job.

Can your boss text you while on FMLA?

Limit contact to urgent matters only. FMLA interference includes not only refusing to authorize FMLA leave, but also discouraging an employee from using leave. Therefore, while an employee on FMLA leave has no right to be left alone, any contact should be limited to urgent matters and should be kept brief.

What can you not do while on FMLA?

It's fine to continue to work while you're on FMLA, as long as you're doing it voluntarily and not because your employer is forcing you. Another thing you can't do is lie to your employer about why you're taking FMLA. That's called fraud – it's going to get you fired.

Does HR call to verify doctor notes?

If you're wondering, can my employer call my doctor to verify a note? —the answer is yes, but only to confirm the authenticity of the certification, not to inquire about specific medical details.

Why would someone be denied FMLA?

If an employee does not provide either a complete and sufficient certification or an authorization allowing the health care provider to provide a complete and sufficient certification to the employer, the employee's request for FMLA leave may be denied.

How long after FMLA can you be fired?

Legal Boundaries: Can You Be Fired After Taking FMLA? While FMLA provides protections for your job, benefits, and wages while taking protected leave, those protections end after your 12 weeks of leave is up.

How do you prove FMLA discrimination?

To establish an FMLA retaliation claim based on circumstantial evidence, a plaintiff must show: (1) she availed herself of a protected right under the FMLA; (2) she suffered an adverse employment action; and (3) there was a causal connection between the adverse action and protected activity.

What makes a strong retaliation case?

What Makes a Strong Retaliation Case? A strong retaliation case has clear evidence linking an employee's protected action, like reporting harassment, to an adverse reaction from the employer. Demonstrating this connection can lead to a successful retaliation settlement.

Why use FMLA instead of sick leave?

This job protection is intended to reduce the stress that you may otherwise feel if forced to choose between work and family during a serious medical situation. Time off under the FMLA may not be held against you in employment actions such as hiring, promotions or discipline.

What happens if you take FMLA and then quit?

In either case, your FMLA protections, including continuing health care coverage, will end when you separate from your employer. Also, if you qualify for Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) under the laws in your state, you will likely lose those benefits as well.

Can an employer fight FMLA?

An employer is prohibited from interfering with, restraining, or denying the exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any FMLA right. An employer is prohibited from discriminating or retaliating against an employee or prospective employee for having exercised or attempted to exercise any FMLA right.

What is the FMLA 3 day rule?

An employer should not presume that an absence from work of less than three consecutive days for a health-related reason is not protected by the FMLA, and it should carefully scrutinize an employee's absence from work for health-related reasons before disciplining or discharging the employee for excessive absenteeism ...

Can my boss see my FMLA paperwork?

The employee's supervisor or manager can have access to limited information about the employee's medical condition and work restrictions. Government officials can access FMLA records in order to perform an audit and ensure conformance with federal and state laws.

What is the 50 75 rule for FMLA?

ABOUT THE FMLA

Eligible employees: Employees are eligible if they work for a covered employer for at least 12 months, have at least 1,250 hours of service with the employer during the 12 months before their FMLA leave starts, and work at a location where the employer has at least 50 employees within 75 miles.