2025 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference: Walking the Talk - Creating Equity in Your Leave Program

Implementing an equitable benefits program helps demonstrate a company’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Yet how do employers balance successful administration of their leave programs with growing state disability and paid family and medical leave (PFML) mandates? By mid-2026, 13 states and the District of Columbia are expected to have PFML programs in place. This means employers need to carefully consider a range of factors when creating compliant and equitable leave programs that span state lines.  

In this session, attendees will learn which leave benefits are most significant to employees, determine which programs to maintain and which to potentially cut, recognize how company policies can be coordinated with state PFML programs, and identify the key considerations necessary when developing company-sponsored leaves. Focusing on these critical areas will ensure employers are creating leave policies that are fair, supportive, and responsive to the needs of all employees.