A Team Approach

Human Resources (HR) professionals play a crucial role in supporting effective organizations by balancing employee rights and the overall well-being of the organization. They often act as internal investigators for employee-related concerns. In certain situations, it is necessary to collaborate with reliable security partners like GardaWorld Consulting & Investigations.

Dealing with Suspicious Absenteeism

While most absenteeism is legitimate, HR professionals need to address cases where employees exploit the system. Signs include inconsistent or false reasons for absences and questionable timeline extensions. When traditional investigation methods are exhausted, HR may seek assistance from licensed private investigators to conduct surveillance.

Role of Private Investigators

Private investigators aim to uncover facts without prejudice. Their goal is to provide clear and lawfully obtained evidence to determine the validity of claims and in some cases, theft of time. For instance, if an employee on short-term disability is suspected of working elsewhere in violation of agreements, a Covert Surveillance Team may be engaged to gather evidence.  This can be supported by investigators working behind the scenes to review social media for further evidence of fraud.

Signs of Suspicion

HR professionals may be suspicious when employees miss medical appointments, show inconsistencies between reported pain and activities, or when reports from colleagues offer conflicting information that needs verification.

Considerations Before Surveillance

HR professionals should assess whether hiring a surveillance team is the least intrusive method to gather facts. If reasonable grounds exist, skilled partners can lawfully collect evidence, prioritizing privacy and integrity in the process.

Handling Investigation Results

When evidence shows abusive absenteeism, organizations have options:

• Confront the employee respectfully, aiming to change behavior through a return-to-work or accommodation process.
• Present evidence to the workers' compensation board to reduce related costs.
• As a last resort, inform the employee of broken trust and consider dismissal.

Conclusion

Managing situations where employees are suspected of exploiting the employer/employee relationship can present difficulties. HR professionals play a crucial role in managing these situations. Working with external partners, who will follow legal procedures and internal policies, can improve the employer's ability to gather facts and offer solid evidence to support the decision-making process and reduce risk and loss for companies that choose utilize their services. 

The GardaWorld Consulting & Investigations team provides reassurance in complex scenarios for its clients.

 

To learn more about GardaWorld Consulting & Investigations, click here.