March 7, 2024 As leave management grows in complexity, so do the questions plaguing absence and disability professionals. If you’ve ever wondered about the leave benefits offered by others in your industry, or sought a benchmark for your leave management processes, this is a session you won’t want to miss! Join us as we explore the insights from the 12th DMEC Employer Leave Management Survey, conducted in collaboration with Spring Consulting Group. This session will delve into the complexities of leave management practices, covering aspects from outsourcing practices to the management of internal and external staff caseloads, and the utilization of technology. The 2023 survey extensively examines the design of processes to support organizations’ absence programs. We provide a detailed breakdown of management methods for regulatory and nonregulatory leaves, accommodations, and return to work based on factors such as employer size, industry, method of administration, and more. This session not only dissects the 2023 survey findings, but also explores the ongoing trends and emerging observations in the absence and disability management industry. Gain valuable tools and takeaways to navigate both existing and upcoming challenges in this ever-evolving landscape.

March 5, 2024 New laws like the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), the long-term effects of COVID-19, and numerous other factors are driving an increase in requests for workplace accommodations. A recent survey found that 75% of HR managers saw an increase in accommodations last year. With today’s technology, employers can standardize, centralize, and streamline the entire accommodations process to save HR valuable time and ensure everyone at the organization is treated fairly and equitably. Improving your organization’s interactive process can help you foster an inclusive work culture, improve employee productivity, and avoid lawsuits.

February 29, 2024 Now that Colorado and Oregon have active paid family and medical leave programs, and with paid family and medical leave becoming a reality in four more states in the coming years, employers need to be ready for continued compliance challenges and state nuances. Are your policies updated? What about HR procedures? Handbooks? In this presentation, our experts will walk you through what to expect in the coming years, and what you can start doing in 2024. Our presenters will share some pointers on how to prepare your organization to manage risk appropriately and comply with the new laws.

January 17, 2024 Despite an organization’s best intentions, it only takes one untrained manager to cause a Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) related lawsuit. With new laws going into effect, staffing shortages, remote workplaces, new strands of COVID popping up, and states enacting new and different leave programs, the need for training is even more important today. Using a case-study format for this session, we will discuss the importance of training managers to handle situations with empathy and understanding. We will demonstrate how an untrained manager could undermine otherwise compliant processes within the organization. We will also focus on proper training and supports employers can provide to their managers to help ensure their leave process is compliant and flows smoothly for all of employees.

December 7, 2023 Employers are acutely aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, and the requirement to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants or employees absent undue hardship. But what does the term “undue hardship” really mean? What is the process for determining an undue hardship and how does an employer complete a fair and thorough analysis without bias or external support? And what is reasonable in the most challenging of situations such as when performance management overlaps or there is an extended or catastrophic leave? In this session, we will provide a framework illustrating the process for reviewing some of the more challenging accommodation requests and how to determine if an undue hardship exists. We will provide tips and best practices to help develop your skill at determining what is reasonable and what presents an undue hardship. This webinar is 90 minutes.

December 5, 2023 As behavioral health issues become increasingly prevalent within the U.S. workforce, there’s a critical need for employers to adopt holistic strategies. Not only is it essential to sustain productivity, but it’s equally crucial to navigate the nuanced landscape of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In this session, we will take a dive deep into the delicate balance of adhering to ADA regulations while supporting employees experiencing behavioral health challenges. We will unpack the ADA essentials every employer should be familiar with, share insights on sidestepping potential discriminatory pitfalls, and explore key court verdicts surrounding ADA compliance that specifically pertain to mental health conditions. We’ll also discuss behavioral health from a medical standpoint by exploring red flag symptoms and discussing how certain health conditions might manifest as unusual or disruptive behaviors in the workplace. Equip yourself with the knowledge to foster a compassionate workplace that is not only compliant, but also understanding of the intricate tapestry of behavioral health.

November 30, 2023 As state paid family leave programs proliferate, navigating the myriad of different laws is becoming even more challenging for employers. This is especially true in Oregon where the state’s paid family leave program just came online in September 2023, and in Colorado where the state’s paid family leave program comes online at the start of 2024. The Oregon and Colorado mandates, especially when combined with the complicated patchwork of other state and local paid family leave laws, present operational and compliance challenges, with no one-size-fits-all solution. Understanding the statutory requirements and the impact of new leave laws on the administration of employee leave management is critical. In this session, we will review the Oregon and Colorado paid family leave programs, how they compare to one another and other state paid family leave programs on core substantive topics, including private plan standards, and offer insights into managing the complexities of compliance.

November 29, 2023 Can short-term disability (STD), workers’ compensation, and paid family and medical leave (PFML) coexist? Indeed they can, and in fact, some states require it. These income protection provisions serve as vital safety nets — safeguarding employees’ physical, mental, and financial health. If PFML is heading to your state, it may look different than you think. An increasing number of states are introducing optional PFML programs, providing employers with greater flexibility. Additionally, short-term disability policies are undergoing transformations. When combined with workers’ compensation, it results in a comprehensive support program. In this session, we will provide updates on these leave programs and offer insights into their collaborative dynamics.

November 15, 2023 If you have employees in a statutory jurisdiction, you need tools and tactics to stay on top of your compliance obligations. There are several states that have enacted paid family leave programs that will be effective over the next few years. In addition to the new states, there may be changes to the established programs in California, Connecticut, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and Washington. In this session, we will provide information about statutory paid leave program changes coming in 2024. We’ll also provide a preview of upcoming programs in 2026 including Maryland, Delaware, Maine, and Minnesota and provide ample time to answer attendee questions. This webinar will be 90 minutes.

November 9, 2023 We’ve seen dizzying changes in the integrated absence and disability management space over the past few years, and 2023 was no exception. Hello, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act! In this interactive webinar, we will provide a recap of the year and our best projections for what is yet to come. We will address the types of accommodation requests employers fielded this year as well as the latest regulatory information and litigation trends as of November 2023. We’ll close out with our best forecasts for what is still to come this year and into next year including trends our industry experts believe are dying out and those we believe will carry into the new year and possibly beyond.