- Detectives in Warsaw ››
- False Sick Leave and the Help of a Private Investigator
False Sick Leave and the Help of a Private Investigator
Are you concerned that your employees might be dishonest? Unfortunately, false sick leave is a common problem in Poland. What should you do if your employees are on sick leave (L4), but you suspect they are not actually ill? A private investigator can help you gather evidence to prove the fraud.
Table of Contents
Unjustified L4 Leave
For the first 33 days of an employee’s absence, the employer bears the cost of sick pay. This is not the only inconvenience that L4 sick leave causes. The entrepreneur has to find a replacement for the sick employee and has fewer staff resources available. If taking sick leave is unjustified, there is also the issue of losing trust in the employee. A falsified L4 is simply fraud and harms the company. Unfortunately, there are many ways to obtain one. Examples include teleconsultations, where it is easier to fake illness symptoms, and visits to psychiatrists, who may be more inclined to offer the patient time off to recover their mental health.
How to Prove False Sick Leave
Taking sick leave without a legitimate health reason is illegal. The institution responsible for verifying L4 is the Social Security (ZUS). Fraudulently issued sick leave may result in the employee losing their job and the right to benefits for the entire period of absence. The employer is not obligated to retain an employee who is simulating illness and acting against the company’s interests. However, proving fraud is essential. How can this be done? A private detective in Warsaw often offers services related to verifying employee honesty. There are several ways to check whether an employee is truly ill.
Social Media Evidence
Social media profiles often make it easier to verify someone’s activities. Employees on L4 should remain at their place of residence and dedicate their time to treatment and recovery. However, it’s sometimes enough to visit their Facebook or Instagram account to discover they’ve gone on a vacation abroad or are engaging in completely different activities, such as renovating their home. Photos and videos posted on social media provide sufficient evidence to report the need for a ZUS investigation and take action against the fraudster. These posts often reveal that the supposed sick employee is actually enjoying their time off, treating it like an ordinary holiday.
Detective Surveillance
Another method of proving falsified sick leave is through detective surveillance. A private detective can check where the employee is actually staying and document this. The employer will receive a detailed report outlining the detective’s observations. This is a legal process. Detective agencies carry out their services with careful adherence to Polish laws. This means they can take photos of suspects in public places, but they are not permitted to enter private property without permission or place a GPS tracker.
Community Interview
It is also worth conducting a small community interview and asking the employees what they know about their colleague’s illness. Even if no one directly reports dishonesty, the inconsistency of the responses may be alarming. At the same time, this allows the employer to gauge the loyalty of their staff. One of the specializations of detectives is employee vetting, which extends far beyond just checking sick leave. Observing employees can also reveal potential corporate espionage or breaches of the employment contract.
Private Detective in Warsaw – Come to Us for Help!
Now you know how a detective can prove that a sick leave is fake. Protect yourself from the costs associated with fraudulent L4 claims and consider requesting ZUS checks. Ensure your company is safe by verifying employee loyalty. Contact us, and we will provide advice on how to gather evidence of dishonesty among your employees.
