With the proliferation of state leave laws, expanded protections under the PWFA, and existing laws like the FMLA and the ADA, it’s not hard for a single life event, such as a pregnancy, to become a very complex set of entitlements for HR to navigate.

In this presentation, we will review several different examples of complex leave cases from pregnancy to migraines to neurodiversity, and dive into the nuances of intersecting entitlements. We will provide participants with a worksheet of actionable best practices and show examples of how to automate processes into workflows to better manage complex leave cases. 

CEUs

This webinar qualifies for the following CEUs: 1 ADMS, 1 CDMS, 1 CLMS, 1 PHR, and 1 SHRM. 

If you are not a DMEC member and need to record a CLMS CEU for attending this event, please contact Jai Hooker at jhooker@dmec.org for assistance. 

Go beyond the presentations and join some of today’s most insightful DMEC speakers for an unscripted, unfiltered conversation. This is your chance to get direct answers to your most pressing questions and dive deeper into the topics that matter to you.

Choose one of three exclusive opportunities to join the conversation:

• Employee Experience: Get direct answers on leave of absence topics, from the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to paid family and medical leave and explore how overlapping regulations shape the employee experience.
• Technology: Your chance to ask subject matter experts about the future of leave technology, artificial intelligence, and what true disruption looks like.
• Neurodiversity & Mental Health: Ask our experts your most pressing questions on creating an inclusive workplace and navigating compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Given the stunning acceleration of artificial intelligence, are employer and employee leave experiences lagging? And if they are, why? In this session, speakers who are immersed in building and deploying leave technologies will discuss the state of leave technology and regulatory, technical, and practical barriers to product acceleration, all with an eye toward helping you determine whether we are demanding enough of ourselves and providers.

Since one in five adults in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, there is a high probability that some of your employees have a mental health impairment. This presentation will engage attendees through an interactive discussion addressing disability benefits, performance management, and absence policies as they relate to your employees’ mental health. Learn how to navigate employee safety issues and direct threat situations. And, most importantly, receive guidance on how to avoid legal pitfalls. This presentation will provide you with practical guidance as it relates to real-world situations and mental health in the workplace.

Approximately 20% of the population is considered neurodiverse, and they experience and understand the world in unique ways. Neurodiversity includes a wide range of mental health and substance use conditions, as well as some neurological issues. In today’s competitive business environment, employers must create an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. But, managing neurodiverse employees comes with its own set of challenges. In this session, explore practical ways to accommodate neurodiverse individuals, helping them to excel and contribute to the success of your organization. Also learn effective strategies for recruiting and retaining neurodiverse talent, removing the stigma associated with cognitive disabilities and ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and  ADA Amendments Act requirements.

Explore leave of absence laws and workplace accommodations through the lens of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Just as Taylor evolves through different phases of her career, employees experience various “eras” in their lives, such as dealing with illness, caregiving, or postpartum recovery. Leave laws protect their right to navigate these transitions without job loss. This session will equip employers with the tools to balance employee well-being and legal compliance during life’s transformative moments. It will provide an overview of legal frameworks that employers must follow to support life transitions, highlighting key laws like the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the expanding Paid Family and Medical Leave landscape. Other topics will include compliance risks, legislative trends, and the benefits workers are entitled to during times of change.

2025 DMEC Virtual Annual Conference

Top rated sessions from the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference held August 4-7, 2025 | Washington, DC

Delaware and Minnesota are joining the Paid Family and Medical Leave landscape in 2026, increasing both the national footprint for these important benefit programs and the administrative complexity for multi-state employers.

In this session, we will help employers understand program eligibility, benefits and contribution rules, funding options, state plan administration rules, private plan options and considerations, and provide detailed benefit calculation examples. The goal is to ensure employers understand their options and are prepared for a successful launch prior to the January 1, 2026 proposed go live dates.

CEUs

This webinar qualifies for the following CEUs: 1 ADMS, 1 CDMS, 1 CLMS, 1 PHR, and 1 SHRM. 

If you are not a DMEC member and need to record a CLMS CEU for attending this event, please contact Jai Hooker at jhooker@dmec.org for assistance. 

Managing employee leave of absence (LOA) effectively is crucial for maintaining productivity and employee satisfaction. This webinar will explore the compelling business case for establishing a centralized Leave of Absence team within organizations, regardless of whether your organization manages LOA in-house or is outsourced. Attendees will gain insights into the normal roles performed by an internal LOA team, including collaboration with external administrators, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing support to employees throughout their leave journey. Attendees will also learn best practices for how to appropriately staff and budget for a centralized LOA team based on organizational size and leave incidence.
A centralized LOA team not only streamlines processes but also enhances communication and consistency in managing various types of leave, such as medical, parental, and personal leave. By centralizing these functions, organizations can reduce administrative burdens, improve employee experience, and mitigate risks associated with non-compliance and inconsistent practices. Conversely, the absence of a centralized team can lead to fragmented processes, increased errors, and potential legal liabilities.

Join us for this informative session to understand the strategic advantages of a centralized approach to leave management and how it can contribute to a healthier workplace culture.

CEUs

This webinar qualifies for the following CEUs: 1 ADMS, 1 CDMS, 1 CLMS, 1 PHR, and 1 SHRM. 

If you are not a DMEC member and need to record a CLMS CEU for attending this event, please contact Jai Hooker at jhooker@dmec.org for assistance. 

Join us for a conversation with Chris Counihan, Director of the new Delaware Paid Leave program, set to begin paying benefits on January 1, 2026. This in-depth discussion will focus on the purpose, benefits, and intricacies of this new statutory program. We will dive into the unique features, employer expectations, and key considerations for communicating the program to workers, coordinating benefits, and participating in the claim process. Attendees will gain valuable insights to help their organizations navigate the requirements and ensure they are prepared to support their workers

CEUs

This webinar qualifies for the following CEUs: 1 ADMS, 1 CDMS, 1 CLMS, 1 PHR, and 1 SHRM. 

If you are not a DMEC member and need to record a CLMS CEU for attending this event, please contact Jai Hooker at jhooker@dmec.org for assistance.