Dealing with FMLA Abuse

Program Overview:

Managing the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is one of the toughest responsibilities HR teams and managers face. The process often becomes even more challenging when there are signs of possible misuse. This engaging and practical training session is designed to provide clear, actionable strategies for addressing suspected abuse while maintaining full compliance with federal laws.

Attendees will gain insight into handling sensitive conversations with employees, requesting medical certification appropriately, and overseeing intermittent leave without crossing legal limits. Using real-life examples and expert guidance, the session will address pressing questions many HR professionals ask, such as:

• When can you request a second medical opinion?

• Are you permitted to ask for additional documentation?

• How should you respond if you suspect an employee is misusing FMLA?

By the end of the webinar, participants will be equipped with effective strategies to balance employee rights with organizational needs—ensuring policies remain compliant, practical, and enforceable.

Why You Should Attend:

This program will help you:

• Recognize and address patterns of FMLA abuse

• Understand exactly which forms and medical documentation are required

• Navigate the complexities of intermittent FMLA leave

• Apply appropriate disciplinary actions when necessary

• Establish clear, enforceable leave management policies

• Determine the right circumstances for considering termination

• Use legally sound methods for investigating potential FMLA misuse

This training provides the knowledge and tools to proactively manage FMLA concerns while reducing compliance risks and safeguarding workplace productivity.

Who Will Benefit:

• HR Professionals & People Managers

• Payroll and Benefits Administrators

• Leave and Compliance Specialists

• Legal Advisors & In-House Counsel

• Employee Relations Managers

• Business Owners and Executives

• Supervisors and Team Leaders

About the Instructor:

Lauren Sobaski is an experienced employment law attorney based in Kansas City, specializing in workplace discrimination, wage and hour compliance, employee policy drafting, and HR training.

With over 15 years of hands-on HR leadership experience prior to practicing law, Lauren brings a dual perspective of both practitioner and legal advisor. She previously worked as an HR consultant at Paychex, supporting more than 75 businesses across multiple states, advising on day-to-day compliance, policy development, and sensitive employee relations issues.

Lauren is a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). She has also served as a judicial intern in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri and with the U.S. Department of Labor, focusing on OSHA and wage-and-hour cases.

Her background uniquely positions her to deliver practical, legally sound approaches to the toughest FMLA and employment law compliance challenges.