Expert Investigations

If an employee is genuinely sick or injured, they are entitled to take time off work to recover. If an employer suspects an employee of malingering, and that they may not be genuinely ill or as ill as they claim, the employer can take steps to deal with the concerns. An employee may claim absence from work due to either physical injury or mental debilitation. Instead, during their absence they could be working elsewhere, using the time for their own means or living a life of leisure at the expense of you, the employer. False absenteeism is notoriously difficult to prove. But can you afford to ignore the problem?

Case Study

Here is a recent case study, to show in greater detail one of the many ways that false absenteeism can happen and what your course of action should be:

Often, false absenteeism is based around finance where an employee is either found involved with secondary employment, running a business or being involved in supporting a family business.

Recently, a company from the manufacturing sector called on Expert Investigations Group to look into a suspected false absenteeism case. There was an employee off on long-term sick with stress and depression. Known as Operation Tractor, we carried out observation and surveillance on the suspect. We found he was not only carrying out house renovation but had set up a business with a member of his family and a bonafide business with a number of properties which he then carried out maintenance work for. The employee was not only absent from work on full pay but was receiving additional payment from his second job. The evidence produced led to immediate dismissal of the employee.

Putting a Stop to False Absenteeism

What starts as the odd sick day here and there can become a much more organised, long term affair. Employees can even progress to what is known as the ‘criminal entrepreneur’. This is the employee that is running their own business on your time. Businesses need to be aware of the risks. Contact us today to get started.