2024 DMEC Annual Conference
Agenda
Successfully managing compliant absence and disability programs not only requires a nuanced understanding of local, state, and federal requirements, but a strong focus on integration, employee experience, productivity, and cost management.
The 2024 DMEC Annual Conference, Aug. 5-8, 2024, in Nashville, TN, will offer a one-of-a-kind deep dive into solutions and best practices for the challenges that leave and disability professionals face each day.
Monday, Aug. 5
First-time attendees can join us for a light breakfast, networking, and an overview of what to expect at this year’s conference.
Speakers:
Kevin Curry, Board Chairman, DMEC
Terri L. Rhodes, Chief Executive Officer, DMEC
Mental health solutions are not a one size fits all. Through assessments and awareness campaigns, organizations can better address mental health needs from the executive level to individual employees. Leveraging experience in the market with leading mental well-being providers, we will discuss best practices for determining the right strategies to address mental health for your workforce.
Speakers:
Paula Allen, Bsc, DCS, Global Leader and SVP, Research and Client Insights, TELUS Health
Adrita Bhattacharya-Craven, MSc, Director, Health & Ageing, The Geneva Association
Joe Grasso, PhD, Senior Director of Workforce Transformation, Lyra Health
Moderator:
Dan Iskra, MBA, AVP, Group Products, MetLife
Sponsored by Telus Health
If employers don’t understand their responsibilities under the ADA and the FMLA, the courts will offer their interpretation — and it can be costly. Each year, hundreds of court decisions result in large jury verdicts. In this session, we will share important lessons learned from recent lawsuits as well as dos and don’ts of ADA/FMLA compliance.
Speakers:
Megan Holstein, Esq, VP & Head of Absence Management, The Hartford
Marjory Robertson, JD, AVP & Senior Counsel, Sun Life
1A. Mental Health and Absence: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategies
In the wake of a turbulent few years, there is mental health crisis brewing in the U.S. Nowhere have these issues been more evident than with employee absence, where mental health related leaves have more than tripled in some industries over a three-year period. In this session, we will analyze emerging absence trends and case law related to behavioral health and use real-life scenarios to discuss the challenges related to administering these leaves, and strategies that can help the employee and employer.
Speakers:
Jennifer Birdsall, PhD, ABPP, Clinical Director, ComPsych Corporation
Matt Morris, JD, Vice President, ComPsych Corporation
Richard J. Mrizek, JD, Attorney at Law, Jackson Lewis PC
1B. Navigating the “3 Ms” of Disability: Maternity-Related Leave, Musculoskeletal Events, and Mental Health Conditions
Maternity-related leave, musculoskeletal events, and mental health conditions are leading drivers of disability claims — combined they represent 31% of short-term disability (STD) claim volume and 35% of STD dollars paid. In this session, we will explore innovative and supportive ways that various employers are addressing these conditions in their organizations. We will discuss benchmarking analysis of employers’ company leave and parental leave plans, highlighting best practices for maternity leave and the importance of taking a holistic view of the birth event. Additionally, we will review musculoskeletal event solutions and newly released research on the connection between caregiving and mental health as well as meaningful manager resources and training.
Speakers:
Melissa Behne, CLMS, CVP, Absence Strategy, New York Life Group Benefit Solutions
Lisa Carlisle, MSM, PHR, SHRM CP, Manager – Integrated Disability Management, Corporate Benefits, Henry Ford Health
Moderator:
Jason Sadler, CLMS, Director Client Solutions, New York Life Group Benefit Solutions
1C. Making Sense of the National Paid Sick Leave Patchwork
The country’s paid sick leave (PSL) patchwork continues to evolve and impose perplexing and burdensome compliance obligations on even the most well-intentioned employers. Add in the COVID-19 pandemic and the remote and hybrid work models still in effect at many workplaces, the PSL patchwork can seem more daunting than ever. In this session, we will provide practical tips for employers of all sizes and industries on how to navigate the current PSL landscape, including how to handle teleworkers and proper payment of sick time. We will explore updates on the nationwide PSL landscape with respect to both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 PSL mandates, and we will explore select nationwide PSL compliance options for employers, including thoughts on “one-size-fits-all” and “one-size-fits-most” options.
Speakers:
Joshua Seidman, JD, Labor and Employment Partner, Seyfarth Shaw
Angie Brown, CPDM, AVP Sales and Absence Practice Leader, Majesco
1D. Successes and Pitfalls of Self-Service Tools
The demand to have everything at our fingertips impacts all areas of our lives, and absence is no different. In this session, we will dive into the benefits of self-service portals and how employers can help employees engage in using technology to improve their leave experience. We’ll discuss the use of portals for simple, but important tasks such as updating personal demographic information, uploading documents to support leave requests, and checking the status of leave or pay as well as review what should still be handled through direct interaction with a case manager.
Speakers:
Joanna Floyd, MBA, Product Manager, IDAM, FINEOS
Charles Price, JD, Product Manager, IDAM, FINEOS
Christy Traupe, SVP, Claims and Absence, FINEOS
Sponsored by Telus Health
2A. Streamlining and Integrating Absence Programs & Employee Benefits
Employers know first-hand the challenges of coordinating an entire leave and benefits package that includes disability, FMLA leave, paid family leave, supplemental health, workers’ compensation, company-sponsored time off, and more. As benefits continue to evolve and become more intertwined, it is more important than ever to provide employees with easy-to-use processes and employers with streamlined administration. This workshop offers an opportunity to come with your questions on all things absence and benefits integration and roll up your sleeves to find answers and best practices with other industry professionals and experts.
Speakers:
Chris Hanson, MBA, Group Benefits and Property & Casualty Integration Practice Lead, The Hartford
Megan Holstein, Esq, VP & Head of Absence Management, The Hartford
John Robinson, CPCU, National Absence Practice Lead, The Hartford
Allison Scaia, Head of Health Services, The Hartford
2B. Are You in Leave Jeopardy?
The entertainment never stops, and neither does the education, as we explore the latest trends and updates in reasonable accommodation and leave management cases. Join the fun and see how close you are to “leave jeopardy.” In this interactive session, we will begin with an overview discussion of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), workers’ compensation, and state leave laws. We will then break into groups for a game show style discussion on tricky leave and accommodation issues to test what we’ve learned and engage in some friendly competition.
Speakers:
Richard J. Mrizek, JD, Attorney at Law, Jackson Lewis PC
Cepideh Roufougar, JD, Principal, Jackson Lewis PC
2C. Ready to Benchmark? Introducing DMEC’s Benchmarking Platform
Benchmarking has become increasingly important as employers evaluate their benefits programs against peers and aim to offer competitive packages. It can also inform best practices, especially with the rapid pace of paid leave law and policy change. How do employers get started on their benchmarking journey? DMEC is here to help! In this workshop, we will introduce DMEC’s new self-service benchmarking platform, focused on absence plan design and practices data. We’ll discuss how to use the tool to build a robust benchmarking strategy that will help you build best-in-class, competitive benefits packages.
Speakers:
Karen English, MBA, CPCU, ACI, AU, ARM, Senior Vice President, Spring Consulting Group
Jackie Myers, Analyst, Spring Consulting Group
Terri L. Rhodes, Chief Executive Officer, DMEC
2D. Frenemies or BFFs: Can Leave and Collective Bargaining Agreements Coexist?
In addition to the complexities employer-sponsored and statutory leaves bring, employers also need to understand when collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) may conflict with leave regulations or vice versa. During this workshop, we will dive into key aspects of collective bargaining agreements that may come into conflict with leave programs and help employers prepare for challenging situations such as when entitlements have been exhausted under leave. We’ll also break into small groups to discuss real-world scenarios. You’ll walk away with project plan examples and a best practices checklist, and be better prepared for new regulations and negotiating future CBAs.
Speakers:
Krista Blair, Account Manager, Total Absence Management, The Partners Group
Hillary A. Forrest, Director, Human Resources, St. Charles Health System
Moderator:
Patricia Borst, National Practice Leader, Total Absence Management, The Partners Group
Kick off your 2023 DMEC Annual Conference experience with a chance to connect with old friends and fellow attendees at the opening welcome reception. Everyone is invited to join the festivities for a special evening of great food and fun.
Sponsored by DMEC’s National Sponsors
Tuesday, Aug. 6
Sponsored by Telus Health
In this informative and inspiring keynote, Raven will break down the connection between equity and generations that every organization needs to know and lean into to thrive in a marketplace that is growing more racially and ethnically diverse by the decade. She will equip attendees of all backgrounds with tools and awareness to further understand and articulate the value of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) using generations to frame the value proposition. Her inspiring message will reinforce the crucial need for organizational commitment to inclusion and a program foundation rooted in a clear business case — accepted and celebrated broadly throughout the organization.
Keynote Speaker:
Raven Solomon, CEO, Raven Solomon Enterprises
Sponsored by ESIS
Sponsored by Telus Health
As paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs continue to emerge throughout the U.S., employers are increasingly considering the impact PFML has on short-term disability (STD) programs. During this session, we will explore key factors affecting STD benefit strategy, including the perceived value/need of STD in light of PFML programs, plan design change considerations, impacts by funding approach, and PFML coordination allowances and approaches. Additionally, we will discuss best practice considerations and what we think the future might hold on this important topic.
Speaker:
Hannah Furlong, CLMS, Sr. Product Manager, Lincoln Financial Group
Kelli Villamil, CLMS, Director, Absence Management, Lincoln Financial Group
Intermittent leave is common within FMLA requests, but many employers don’t realize that the ADA also requires granting reasonable intermittent leave requests. In addition to the being a “shield” to protect from non-compliance, intermittent leave can also be the “sword” that creates a positive and inclusive culture, increases retention, and saves money. For an employee who can discharge the essential functions of the job on a reduced schedule, or whose condition is unpredictable, intermittent leave may accomplish the best of both worlds for the employer and employee. In this session, we will focus on how an employer (and employee) can use intermittent leave to keep employees at work and create a positive experience for its entire workforce — even those not on leave.
Speakers:
Sara Elder, JD, Senior Vice President, Operations, Sedgwick
Adam Morell, JD, AVP, Product Compliance, Sedgwick
Sponsored by Mutual of Omaha
Finish your lunch early or bring your lunch with you and connect with two industry experts for a quick-dive Q&A session. Megan Holstein and Marjory Robertson will cover unanswered questions submitted by attendees in the general sessions as well as take audience questions.
Speakers:
Megan Holstein, Esq, VP & Head of Absence Management, The Hartford
Marjory Robertson, JD, AVP & Senior Counsel, Sun Life
3A. Supported Employees Stay: Using Leave Policies to Keep and Attract Diverse Talent
For HR professionals, FMLA leave can often be all about compliance. But for employees, leave is always personal. To ensure a great employee experience, you need to look beyond following the laws to ensure your leave policies aren’t counterproductive. In this session, we will cover ten common FMLA policy provisions that warrant revisiting, along with specific, tactical advice on implementing new approaches that truly support your diverse employees — without breaking the bank.
Speakers:
Angel Bennett, AVP, Paid Leave and ADA, Absence Management Center, Unum
Ellen Donovan McCann, JD, AVP, Absence Management Organization, Unum
3B. Time for a PTO Overhaul! Why the Legal Landscape Compels Us to Consider a Multi-bank Paid Time Off Structure
Due to the constantly evolving nature of mandatory paid sick and safe time (PSST) laws, a single-bucket PTO system may no longer work for your organization. In this session, we will show you how to avoid the compliance risks of maintaining a single bucket of PTO and provide practical guidance and policy best practices for your organization to navigate the smoothest route to PSST compliance. We’ll also show how our own organization was able to achieve success with updating our PTO policy to ensure compliance in the many states in which we operate.
Speakers:
Christine Hinnerichs, PHR, Client Service Manager, The Partners Group
Stephanie Mills-Gallan, JD, Shareholder, Littler Mendelson
Karla Thommen, MS:MOL, SHRM-SCP, Managing Director of Talent Development, The Partners Group
Brycie Wasson, CPDM, Account Executive, The Partners Group
3C. Let’s Be Reasonable: Best Practices for All Types of Accommodations in the Workplace
So many accommodations! An employer’s obligation to provide reasonable workplace modifications is broader than many employers realize. It only starts with the ADA. Religious and pregnancy accommodations have also moved to center stage. Employers have a duty to accommodate sincerely held religious beliefs relating to grooming, scheduling, vaccination requirements, and more. Each year more states pass laws requiring workplace accommodations for the “common conditions” of pregnancy. The accommodation process may be similar for each, but the factors that go into the analysis can be very different. In this session, we will address the latest best practices for reasonable accommodations of disabilities, religious beliefs, and pregnancy; provide practical advice; and compare issues such as documentation the employer can require and the differing standards for the undue hardship defense.
Speakers:
Carrie French, JD, Assistant General Counsel, Employment & Litigation, Cengage Group
Dana McDonald, Esq, Senior Counsel, Under Armour
Richard J. Mrizek, JD, Attorney at Law, Jackson Lewis PC
Moderator:
Marti Cardi, Esq, Senior Compliance Consultant, Matrix Absence Management
1:30-1:55 pm – 3D. Fitting In: Integrating State PFML Programs with Other Benefits
Paid family and medical leave (PFML) is catching on from Vermont to South Dakota, but how can employers add PFML coverage to a complicated puzzle of benefits such as workers’ compensation, FMLA leave, and short- and long-term disability coverage? In this 25-minute lightning session, the director of Colorado’s new FAMLI program will cover how to navigate the thicket with ease — including how employers and third-party administrators can successfully coordinate PMLF leave and create a positive experience for employees.
Speaker:
Tracy Marshall, RN, CCM, CDMS, SHRM-SCP, Division Director, Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Division
2:05-2:30 pm – 3E. Plot Twist: Reframing Leave as a Benefit Improves the Employee Experience
Historically, employers managed leave by looking for abuse, intentionally or unintentionally being punitive, and thinking too much leave resulted in laziness and lack of commitment. Instead, meeting employees during what is usually a stressful time of their lives with compassion, help, and support will reap rewards. In this session, we’ll dive into how reframing leave as a benefit within your organization inevitably increases employee satisfaction and retention and can successfully be utilized as a means of recruiting top talent.
Speakers:
Jennifer Limon, CLMS, Vice President of Industry Solutions, AbsenceSoft
Sponsored by TRISTAR
Join your industry peers for small-group discussions on hot topics within the industry. Share challenges, opportunities, and best practices from your organization’s experience.
Over the last several years, health plans have adopted digital health products that support telehealth, behavioral health, and chronic condition management. Leave and disability management professionals, carriers, and third-party administrators are adopting similar technologies to support employees. Rather than waiting for a leave or disability claim to occur, digital health services are allowing employees to manage their conditions before a claim is filed. This proactive approach is pioneering a dramatic change in leave and disability management. In this session, we will discuss the growing trend of digital health products to assist employers and employees. We will define digital health, provide a brief history of digital health and its adoption via health plans, discuss what is driving the new utilization of digital health for leave and disability management, and predict how digital health will evolve in the next few years.
Speakers:
Angel Bennett, AVP, Paid Leave and ADA, Absence Management Center, Unum
Jennifer Hunter, LISW-S, Sr. Director Health Plan Partnerships, Meru Health
Amanda Neely, PHR, SHRM-CP, Director of Business Development, Unum
Moderator:
Jeff Oldham, Co-Founder, Informed Consulting
4A. The Limits of Parental Leave Policy: What Else Is Needed?
The transition to working parenthood is among the most complex and challenging transitions in an employee’s career. There are proven supports that are needed beyond the policy itself that extend into the practice and culture surrounding parental leave within employers. In this session, we’ll discuss the forces at play for employees — where are the stressors, where does the process become untenable, and where are employees most likely to decide to move on to a new job or leave the workforce entirely. Learn how to use this transition so employees and their teams can engage with greater empathy, communication, trust, loyalty, and productivity.
Speaker:
Amy Beacom, MA, EdD, Founder and CEO, Center for Parental Leave Leadership
4B. Managing Stakeholder Expectations When Outsourcing Leave Administration
Changes to the leave administration service model — whether outsourcing for the first time or adding additional leave options to an outsourced service offering — can be both exciting and challenging. When expectations are not properly managed, stakeholders can experience “buyer’s remorse.” In this session, we will explore stakeholder touch points and how to consider their experience when implementing. We’ll also cover how to set reasonable expectations for the new leave experience.
Speakers:
Kayla Carter, MSPM, CSM, CSPO, CLMS, Senior Account Executive, Alight
Megan Horner, MBA, First Vice President Consultant, American Benefits Consulting
DeShawna Manley, MBA, Director, National Benefits, PwC
4C. The Echo Pandemic: Mental Health, Lost Time, and Benefits Spend
It is no secret that workplace mental health outcomes were deeply impacted by COVID-19, and there is no end in sight to increasing costs, absenteeism, and attrition as a result of the mental health crisis in the workplace. With under-utilized, ill-fitting employee assistance programs and a shortage of clinical professionals, employers are left struggling with how to effectively support employees and control rising costs. In this session, we will discuss the importance of supporting mental health and wellness proactively to ensure greater resilience and productivity of the workforce across time. We will share concepts, tools, and practices that can be leveraged in the flow of work and life to support mental health and manage claim costs, lost time, productivity, and attrition. We will also examine the ROI impact preventative solutions can have on your overall benefit’s spend, incidences and durations, and recruitment and retention efforts.
Speakers:
Ryan Todd, MD, FRCPC, CEO, headversity
4D. Help! I’m a Manager!!
Are you a rockstar employee who has been promoted into management? Chances are, you haven’t been trained on how to manage people. This session is for you! We will cover everything from employment law to handling employees behaving badly. You’ll walk away with the tools and resources needed to effectively manage employees and achieve your desired outcomes.
Speaker:
Christie L. Engler, MHRM, SPHR, SHRM-CP, Director of People and Culture, Willory
Come mingle and relax with attendees and exhibitors after a full day of sessions. Enjoy complimentary drinks and nibbles during happy hour.
Sponsored by Evolution IQ
Wednesday, Aug. 7
Sponsored by Telus Health
You thought the outcome of a court case could help your organization navigate designing an updated absence policy, but not so fast! Dueling court decisions can make the gray areas for employers downright murky and require you to be more flexible than anticipated. Add to the mix instances when the DOL or EEOC disagree with a court decision, and employers find themselves wading through the muck of uncertainty in their compliance efforts. In this interactive session, we’ll examine important cases where the courts involved didn’t necessarily see eye to eye as well as instances where regulators have voiced a stance in opposition to court rulings and the potential impact to the leave administration landscape. We’ll poll the audience about current leave practices and explore how to find the best framework to prepare your programs for the future.
Speakers:
Christina Korona, JD, Sr. Absence Management Compliance Manager, Alight
Sheri Pullen, Senior Compliance Manager, Alight
Supporting employees during their leave, while also focusing on the transition back to work, can be a confusing and stressful time for both the employee and employer. In this session, we will explore the cost benefits of transitional return-to-work (TRTW) programs that employers can adopt to help address the unique needs of their employees. We will also discuss how to educate and motivate front-line managers and analyze the positive impact of paying attention to the small details that demonstrate commitment and caring for the well-being of team members.
Speakers:
Gail Ballin, MS, LCMHC, CCM, Vice President, Clinical and Vocational Services, Prudential
Faith Best, MSW, LCSW, Director of Clinical Services, NeuroFlow
Tori Weeks, CEAS, Senior Director, Health and Productivity Analytics & Consulting Practice, Prudential
Moderator:
Rachel Wesley, MEd, CRC, LCMHC, CEAS, Clinical Director, Prudential
Sponsored by Telus Health
5A. Coming Soon? Regulated Psychedelics for Mental Health & What You Need to Know
Psychedelic medicine innovations are all over the media, and the Federal Drug Administration is expected to approve psychedelic therapies for PTSD treatment in 2023 or 2024. Based on the strength of treatment success for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, some states have begun developing regulations and guidelines. In this session, we’ll review an evidence-based perspective on emerging treatment options and discuss the opportunities and barriers to approving and paying for this treatment for PTSD and other work-related mental health disorders.
Speaker:
Michael M. Coupland, RPsych, VP, Occupational Health, Stella
5B. Leave Data & Reporting to Drive Business Results
The importance of data & reporting for leave programs is often overlooked. How do you gather and use data? What data should you be measuring? What results should you be looking at? In this session, we’ll shed light on how to leverage data and metrics to inform your managers and senior leadership on your leave program success and share top reports that will give you the information needed to do so successfully.
Speaker:
Seth Turner, MBA, Chief Strategy Officer, AbsenceSoft
Chris Washburn, Manager, Leave of Absence Administration, Retail Business Services, A Company of Ahold Delhaize USA
5C. The Value of Workforce Flexibility: Impact & Tradeoffs
Much has been written about employee preference for flexibility and paid time off, but what is it truly worth? And what are employees willing to give up for it? In this session, we will explore results of a recent survey that tests the true value of flexibility and time off programs and their potential impact on retention and recruiting efforts. We’ll also discuss how to take key findings from the survey and adjust your organization’s policies.
Speakers:
Karen English, MBA, CPCU, ACI, AU, ARM, Senior Vice President, Spring Consulting Group
Marcy Updike, PRC, National Director of Market Research, Alera Group
5D. Leave and the Employee Lifecycle
In this session, we will take you through an employee’s full leave lifecycle through a dynamic role-play scenario that includes the HR team, benefits department, the supervisor, and the employee. We’ll cover various issues that arise in leave and accommodation requests, and potential missteps along the way.
Speakers:
David Mohl, JD, Principal, Jackson Lewis PC
Katharine C. Weber, JD, Principal, Jackson Lewis PC
Sponsored by Mutual of Omaha
6A. New Models for PFML: Education and Action
With varying requirements and models, employers with employees in different states are increasingly confused by the patchwork of legislation and programs, the differences between voluntary and mandatory programs, and their responsibilities under each. In this session, we’ll break down the various state programs, discuss private versus state plans, and explore considerations for PFML insurance policies under voluntary programs. You’ll walk away with the information you need to take the next steps for your organization.
Speakers:
Jennifer Pepin, JD, MEd, CLMS, Product Strategy Lead, Aflac
Karen English, MBA, CPCU, ACI, AU, ARM, Senior Vice President, Spring Consulting Group
Kristen Bell, H&W Manager, Northrop Grumman
Moderator:
H. Claude Bruny, Manager, Account Executive, Aflac
6B. Using Integrated Analytics to Guide Workforce Benefit Decisions 2.0
Continuing the conversation initiated in 2021 on the criticality of leveraging data from all aspects of your organization to measure the true cost and impact of health and identify otherwise undetectable actionable opportunities within your employee population, we will take a deeper dive into correlations that integrated data exposes in the areas of turnover, mental health, work environments, and the corresponding impact on absence and productivity within your organization. We will also provide insights into how to leverage integrated analytics to define and implement actionable steps to mitigate the overall impact of these issues on your organization.
Speakers:
Linda Croushore, MEd, CRC, LPC, CLMS, AVP, Absence Management, Workpartners
Jennie Wheeler, MBA, AVP, Integrated Analytics, Workpartners
Andrew Yohe, MBA, COO, Workpartners
6C. Navigating Confusing & Complex Pregnancy Leave and Accommodation Legal Requirements
The most frequent leave and accommodation requests employers receive are for pregnancy and childbirth. There are many state and local laws that create both express and implied obligations to provide leave and accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions. In this session, we will review the complex legal requirements — including conflicting decisions — that employers must navigate when evaluating accommodations and leave for birth mothers and other new parents.
Speakers:
Marti Cardi, Esq, Senior Compliance Consultant, Matrix Absence Management
Marjory Robertson, JD, AVP & Senior Counsel, Sun Life
6D. Supporting Workforce Mental Health & Well-being: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
The recent confluence of events has made workforce mental health and well-being a critical priority for employers of all sizes and industries across the U.S. Many employers are looking for a quick fix or silver bullet, but employers that have been working on this for years know it’s a marathon, not a sprint. In this session, learn how a large East Coast healthcare system and a mid-sized, Pacific Northwest utility company have evolved their programs and realized a gradual growth of engagement, innovations sparked by the C-suite, and challenges along the way. We will also review the recently published framework from the U.S. Surgeon General as a tool for disability and absence professionals to connect their programs into their employer’s broader human resource strategy.
Speakers:
Jenny Haykin, MA, CRC, Integrated Leaves & Accommodations Program Manager, Puget Sound Energy
Maria S. Henderson, MS, CDMS, VP, Workforce Health Strategy & Innovation, UPMC
Sponsored by TRISTAR
Join your industry peers for small-group discussions on hot topics within the industry. Share challenges, opportunities, and best practices from your organization’s experience.
3:15-3:40 pm – 7A. Effectively Design an Accommodation Program to Mitigate Adverse Action
In 2019, for the first time in the ADA’s history, disability was alleged more often in EEOC charges than any other type of discrimination. Before 2019, sex and race discrimination were the most common charges. Based on 2021 ADA charge data, the average EEOC settlement was $56,000 — a significant increase over the last 15 years. And discharge and reasonable accommodation have consistently made up 47-50% of all issues alleged in ADA charges for the past 10 years. What does this tell us? There are consistent and common triggers for an individual to file an ADA charge with the EEOC, and employees are becoming more aware of their rights under the ADA. When employers have a consistent approach to accommodations, they can minimize this type of legal exposure. In this session, we will focus on strategies in program design that can mitigate the risk associated with inconsistent organizational processes for accommodation assessment.
Speaker:
Melanie Payton, CLMS, AVP, Absence Consulting and Audit Practice, Brown & Brown Strategic Non-Medical Solutions
3:50-4:15 pm – 7B. Rising Disability Claims for Substance Use Disorders and Related Determinants
Short-term disability claims data show a spike of substance use disorders since the onset of the pandemic. This is in addition to the national and global increases in mental health and substance use disorders over the past two decades. This analysis will identify the direction and magnitude of substance use disorder claims from 2018 to 2022. In this session, we will review the relationship of key determinants on the likelihood and duration of employees with short-term disability claims for substance use disorders. Additionally, we will discuss evidence-based treatment guidelines and explore the literature for strategies that employers can implement to support employees with substance use disorders including financial and well-being programs.
Speakers:
Keemia Vaghef, PhD, Director of Analytics Consulting, Alight
Kerri Wizner, MPH, CPH, Assistant Director of Epidemiology, MDGuidelines
8A. Paid Leave: What Do Employees Really Need?
Today’s workforce is made up of diverse individuals across multiple generations. These nuances create challenges for companies as they work to develop and manage their absence programs. To retain top talent, an employer must consider how the needs and preferences of workers vary when it comes to paid leave policies. What matters most to Millennials? How can employers attract Gen Z workers? How can leave policies be structured to meet needs across a wider spectrum of employees? In this session, we will explore tools to find balance with the unique needs of employees in relation to absence benefits and policies as well as share personal examples of how corporate paid leave policies succeeded or failed.
Speakers:
Kaitlynn Boone, JD, MBA, Director, Workplace Solutions Compliance, Mutual of Omaha
Sarah Hipp, CLMS, Paid Family & Medical Leave Compliance Manager, Workplace Solutions, Mutual of Omaha
Jeremy Mace, GBDS, Director, Workplace Solutions Group Claims, Mutual of Omaha
8B. Key Considerations for Selecting & Implementing Software as a Solution
If you’re managing leave in house and considering technology to support your efforts, the selection and implementation process can be daunting. In this session, we’ll discuss how to assess your current needs and identify requirements, gather data needed for a request for proposal, and pitfalls to watch for during the process. We’ll also discuss implementation best practices including engaging IT and data security teams, deciding on customizations, creating a testing plan, and more. You’ll walk away with the tools you need to successfully find, implement, and maximize a technology solution for your organization.
Speakers:
Angie Brown, CPDM, AVP Sales and Absence Practice Leader, Majesco
Allison Morgan, Senior Sales Executive, FINEOS
Seth Turner, MBA, Chief Strategy Officer, AbsenceSoft
Moderator:
Phil Lacy, Absence Health and Productivity Practice Leader, Marsh McLennan Agency
8C. Workforce State of Mind: A Focus on Mental Health
According to the World Health Organization, mental health problems are the leading cause of disability worldwide. And with three in four workers citing stress and burnout as their biggest mental health challenges, it’s no wonder many companies have revamped their leave policies in response. Well-being benefits were formerly a “nice-to-have,” and now they are a “requirement-to-thrive.” For employees looking to belong to an organization that cares about the well-being of its workforce, such policies and benefits are expected. In this session, we will look at trends impacting workforce mental well-being and the impact on leave management.
Speakers:
Matthew Ceurvels, Head of Absence and State Programs, Guardian
Garlande Patz, MBA, CLMS, Channel Director, Absence Management, Group Benefits, Guardian
Dan Whelan, MSW, LCSW, Behavioral Health Manager, Guardian
8D. Breaking the Cycle: Empowering Women in the Workplace and at Home
Breaking free from the self-imposed pressure to do it all requires connection, self-compassion, and support. In this session, we will provide tips, resources, and encouragement on how to implement change in our lives and in the lives of future generations of women leaders. We’ll examine our own stories, set expectations for our futures, and walk away with impactful action items to empower change and cultural shift. We encourage men to attend as well to gain knowledge and insight on how to foster open dialogue, listen, and promote a culture of support, encouragement, and respect for the women in their lives.
Speakers:
Donna Hoffman, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, headversity
There’s no better way to let loose and relax after several busy days of new ideas than to join your fellow conference attendees at our popular Wednesday night event. Get ready to party, sing, dance, and laugh the night away. Come for an hour or stay for the whole evening!
Sponsored by MetLife
Thursday, Aug. 8
Sponsored by Telus Health
It’s not uncommon for discussions between employees and employers, and ultimately decision-making, to get emotional when it comes to reasonable accommodations. However, there is a way to diffuse these situations. Keep actions and conversations focused on data — including facts on what the employee is medically capable of doing and on what the employee is required to do. While collecting data and having parties agree on essential functions is vital, getting clear medical information from healthcare providers is more difficult. In this session, we’ll discuss how to handle vague medical reports and accommodation recommendations and unclear restrictions. We’ll also explore how to create better medical questionnaires to get the information you need to make sound reasonable accommodation decisions.
Speaker:
Rachel Shaw, MBA, President, Shaw HR Consulting
While employers have recognized the importance of supporting employee well-being for decades, the pandemic and other recent stressors have placed greater urgency on the need for effective corporate wellness initiatives. Unfortunately, many wellness programs are ineffective or fail because they don’t address the specific needs of the workforce; aren’t evidence-based or are solely focused on the individual; and ignore the corporate culture within which people are working. In this session, we will focus on creating programs that meet your employees where they are, both mentally and physically. We’ll explore how to create and maintain an effective worker well-being strategy that both engages the workforce and unlocks the potential of all employees. Starting with a corporate commitment to workforce wellness, we’ll describe how assessment and ongoing communication can help influence the design, implementation, and enhancement of your wellness initiatives.
Speaker:
Akira Heshiki, JD, Senior Director and Assistant Counsel, The Standard
Dan Jolivet, PhD, Workplace Possibilities Practice Consultant, The Standard
Sponsored by Telus Health
Having worked and played with some of the most successful bands and artists in music history, Mark truly understands the emotions, adjustments, and actions of successfully bringing a band or team together after a hiatus. From recording drum tracks by himself in his own studio while collaborating remotely with musicians he couldn’t see or hear to rough starting moments performing on the Billboard Music Awards after over two years away, Mark recognizes that coming together collaboratively requires the ability to R.O.C.K — REIMAGINE, OPTIMIZE, CELEBRATE and KICK ASS. Come prepared to raise your energy, engage in a dynamic way, and reimagine collaboration through a new perspective.
Keynote Speaker:
Mark Schulman, Musician & Author
Sponsored by Allsup