
Investigations on the abuse of Law 104: Investigations into Dismissal for Just Cause
Do you suspect an employee is using 104 permits for personal purposes? We gather irrefutable evidence to sanction the abuse and protect the company
Investigations for Abuse of Law 104: Protect the Company and Restore Trust
The misuse of paid leave provided by Law 104/1992 is a very serious offence that damages the company's assets and the integrity of the welfare system. Arcadia Company offers its investigators' expertise to HR departments and business owners to document any abuse with irrefutable evidence.
When configuring illegality and the right to corporate control
According to established case law, abuse occurs when there is no causal link between the absence from work and the actual care of the disabled person. The employer has the legitimate right to verify extra-work conduct that constitutes fraud against the company and the State.
Common types of abuse documented:
- Performing a second job: Paid professional activity during leave hours.
- Incompatible leisure activities: Shopping, day trips or sporting activities that exclude assistance.
- Eviction from the residence: Trips to locations far from the assisted subject's home.
- Lack of effective support: Using the day for purely personal purposes, neglecting the disabled person.
Legal Consequences: Dismissal for Just Cause and Criminal Liability
The abuse of Law 104 irreparably breaks the trust bond between employee and company. The gravity of such fraud legitimises immediate and drastic measures supported by certified evidence.
The penalties and protections provided:
- Summary dismissal: Contract fraud allows the termination of the relationship without notice.
- Report of Aggravated Fraud Configuration of the crime under art. 640 of the criminal code for the improper receipt of compensation.
- Investigative Proof Report: The report has full legal value to protect against dismissal in case of appeal.
The Arcadia Method: Certified Anti-Absenteeism Protocol
We apply a rigorous protocol that ensures maximum discretion and full compliance with privacy regulations and the Workers' Statute.
Phases of the investigative intervention:
- Preliminary HR Analysis: Identification of suspicious absence patterns, often around holidays.
- Dynamic Observation: Tracking and constant monitoring of employee movements.
- Evidence Crystallization: Collection of high-definition videos and photos documenting the illegal activity.
- Technical-Legal Dossier: Delivery of a detailed report ready for disciplinary proceedings.
Why trust a professional investigation agency
The quality of evidence and the transparency of credentials are fundamental for legal success. Arcadia Company guarantees expert operators ready to testify in court to confirm the observation of facts.
Case Studies
Case Study: Investigations into the Abuse of Law 104 and Dismissal for Just Cause
Sector: Employment Law and Corporate Investigations | Location: Province of Verona
1. The Problem (Suspected Misuse of Paid Leave)
A client company in the logistics sector approached our agency to initiate some investigations into the abuse of law 104The HR department had noticed a statistical anomaly: an employee was systematically requesting paid leave under Law 104/92 always coinciding with weekends, effectively extending the rest days. The company's objective was to verify the correctness of the employee's conduct to protect the company's productivity and determine any grounds for dismissal for just cause.
2. Investigative Strategy (Dynamic Surveillance and Tailing)
Our team has prepared a plan for corporate investigations targeted at monitoring the employee's activities exclusively during the days of leave usage, in strict compliance with the Workers' Statute and privacy regulations.
- Surveillance: Simultaneous monitoring near the worker's home and the disabled family member's home, starting from the early hours of the morning.
- Surveillance: Dynamic observation of movements to verify if time was actually spent predominantly onassistance for the disabled.
- Collection of Visual Evidence: Acquisition of video-photographic documentation in public places to prove incontrovertibly and objectively the actual activities carried out by the subject during paid leave hours.
3. Results and Evidence Collected
The work of our agents has uncovered a serious fraud against the company and INPS, confirming the suspicions of the management:
- During the requested leave days, it was documented that the employee never went to the relative's home who needed care.
- It has been photographically proven that the worker was in a tourist location with friends, engaged in recreational activities and pure personal leisure.
- The recordings confirmed the complete absence of a causal link between the absence from work and the need for assistance, clearly indicating a blatant misuse of permission 104.
4. Legal Conclusion (Termination of the Relationship and INPS Reporting)
At the end of the assignment, the company received a Certified Investigation Dossiercontaining a sworn technical report and valid multimedia evidence, admissible in court.
- Outcome: Based on the overwhelming evidence provided by our private investigation agencythe company has ordered the immediate dismissal for just cause (without prior notice) for irreparable breach of trust.
- Case Law: The case law of the Court of Cassation is well-established: using permits for purposes other than assistance constitutes a very serious disciplinary offence and fraud against the employer and the Social Security Agency. In addition to dismissal, the employee has been reported for the unlawful receipt of state benefits.
The anti-absenteeism investigative method
Strict protocol for turning suspicions into usable disciplinary evidence in court.
Preliminary HR Analysis
We evaluate with the staff director the requested leave days and the employee's habits to identify suspicious patterns (e.g. leave attached to weekends).
Static and Dynamic Surveillance
We monitor the employee from the moment they leave home on days off. We document every movement, time and activity carried out away from the disabled person's home.
Video Evidence Collection
We document the illegal conduct with high-definition video-photographic material (e.g., the employee who goes to the beach or works elsewhere while on leave 104).
File for the Lawyer
We provide a detailed, chronological, and objective technical report, ready for use by the legal office for disciplinary action and subsequent dismissal.
Frequently Asked Questions on Abuse 104
Clarifications on the legitimacy of control, privacy and dismissal.
Is it legal to have an employee on leave followed?
Yes, it is absolutely legal. The Court of Cassation has established that the employer has the right to use investigative agencies to verify any illegal behaviour by the employee that does not concern their work performance, but rather the damage to the company's property and trust. If the employee uses leave hours for personal purposes (holidays, shopping, second jobs) instead of assisting a disabled person, they commit fraud against the company and INPS, justifying dismissal for just cause.
Is one day of 'leisure' enough to get fired?
Yes, case law is strict. Even a single incident, if well documented and demonstrative of a complete lack of assistance, is sufficient to break the trust bond and justify dismissal.
Can the employee say they were 'recharging their batteries'?
It is a common but weak defence if the facts prove otherwise. If an employee is filmed performing heavy, leisure or other work activities elsewhere for the entire day, the claim of 'compensatory rest' falls apart.
What happens if the employee sues us?
If the dismissal is based on our investigative report, our operators will testify in court to confirm the details in the dossier. Having objective evidence significantly reduces the risk of losing in court.
You might be interested in the following articles
Get a free investigative consultation
Don't stay in doubt. Speak with an experienced investigator and receive a personalised action plan immediately.
Office in Milan, Operating throughout Italy
Our private investigation agency is strategically located in Sesto San Giovanni, in the province of Milan. From here, we coordinate investigations throughout the national territory, ensuring a swift and direct response in the main provinces of Lombardy and Northern Italy.



