intermittent FMLA and being late

[Irie]

Is there any way to prevent an employee from calling in to inform us that they're going to be a few minutes late to work and it's FMLA? We have an employee who has been approved for intermittent FMLA for their child and they call quite often saying they're going to be late due to having to take their child to the hospital. When they get here they're clocking in a few minutes late. I have my suspicions that the employee is using the FMLA to avoid attendance points for being late that isn't really FMLA.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

[ACU Frank]

Is the employee providing documentation for the hospital visit?

[Irie]

If it's approved intermittent FMLA I can't ask for documentation, or can I if she claims to be going to the hospital and not just staying home to take care of the child?

FMLA just sucks the life out of me...

[mbliek]

In order to approve FMLA I require documentation from the employee and thier doctor. then I ask for periodic updates from thier doctor, as stated in thier approval letter.

[Still Need Coffee]

Another option is to go the recertification route - you're allowed to recertify with the MD every 30 days for intermittent. What I do is attach a copy of the employee's attendance record and ask for the doctor to verify that (1) those dates/times were for FMLA, and that (2) the pattern of FMLA use is consistent with the diagnosis.

Good luck!