Media - Employee Absence

Media Requests

To arrange interviews with industry experts, request access to white papers and case studies, or to register for one of our events, please contact Tasha Patterson at tpatterson@dmec.org or 800.789.3632, ext. 102.

The Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1992 dedicated to providing absence and disability professionals with ongoing support and the latest information, tools, and resources organizations need to minimize employee lost work time, improve staff productivity, and maintain legally compliant absence and disability management programs. We can connect members of the media with top experts in the integrated absence management field.

Latest DMEC News and Events

Request For Medical Examination Was Permissible Under ADA After Positive Drug Test Result

October 30, 2020A federal court in Indiana dismissed an employee’s claim that his employer did not have the right to request a medical examination after he tested positive for drugs and subsequently admitted that he was taking numerous prescription medications that could create a safety risk.

CDC Guidance on “Close Contact” Is Expanded

October 22, 2020Just when you thought you had your contact tracing protocol down for dealing with COVID-19 exposures, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance has changed again.

Webinar Recording: The Caregiving Crisis – COVID-19’s Impact on Working Parents and Employer Support Programs

October 22, 2020The COVID-19 pandemic has been fraught with challenges for everyone. Working parents may be feeling the brunt of these struggles as they attempt to balance their careers with the ever-changing ... Read More

California’s Governor Signs Several Bills Causing Bold Changes to Employee Leaves

October 6, 2020California wrapped up its 2020 Legislative Session with the Governor passing several bills that bring dramatic changes to employee leave requirements.

Amendments to New York City Paid Sick and Safe Leave Law Effective

October 1, 2020On Sep. 23, 2020, the New York City Council enacted Int. No 2032-A, and Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the bill on Sep. 28, 2020.

Webinar Recording: Put Your Oxygen Mask On First – Helping Managers Address Behavioral Health

October 1, 2020Research shows that mental health and substance abuse issues are taking a toll on employees and workplaces across the country. COVID-19 has further exacerbated this already growing trend, and made ... Read More

Webinar Recording: The ADA Link

September 29, 2020How does the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) interact and link with other regulations, policies, and programs in the workplace? In this webinar, we walked through ADA definitions and requirements, ... Read More

Maine Labor Department Releases Final Rules for Earned Paid Leave Law

September 28, 2020As the Jan. 1, 2021, effective date of Maine’s Earned Paid Employee Leave Law approaches, the state Department of Labor (DOL) has promulgated the much-anticipated final regulations for implementing the statute.

Webinar Recording: Ability in Disability – A More Inclusive Workplace Strategy

September 24, 2020Over fifty percent of people in this country have a person in their life with a disability. Disability is a natural part of the “human condition,” yet represents the largest ... Read More

New California Law Significantly Expands Employee Entitlement to Family and Medical Leave

September 18, 2020California employers with as few as five employees must provide family and medical leave rights to their employees under a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Sep. 17, 2020. The new law significantly expands the state’s existing family and medical leave entitlements and goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.

Webinar Recording: Healthcare Solutions for Employers’ High-Cost Populations

September 17, 2020Rising healthcare costs continue to plague both employers and employees alike. As employers work to maintain the budget while offering the benefits employees need to maintain health, employees struggle to ... Read More

Webinar Recording: The Great Return – Tips & Tricks to Develop Your RTW Plan

September 15, 2020As the work environment continues to evolve during the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are struggling to develop safe return-to-work strategies, especially when the great return will likely be phased out across ... Read More

2020 DMEC Return to the Workplace Pulse Survey Results

September 14, 2020From July 28 through Aug. 5, 2020, DMEC gathered feedback through an online survey on how organizations are approaching efforts to return employees to the workplace amid the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Read More

Webinar Recording: A Deep Dive Into Job Protection – What Does it Really Mean?

September 10, 2020Those working in leave of absence often use the term “job protection,” but what does it really mean? In some cases, the law spells it out. The Family and Medical ... Read More

Do Employers Still Need to Provide Time to Vote in California?

September 3, 2020In light of new executive orders to ensure wide availability of voting options in California, employers may question if they still are required to provide time during the workday for their employees to vote.

School’s Back (Or Is It)! When Can Your Employees Take FFCRA Leave?

August 31, 2020For many, the start of school looks different this year: from all virtual, to hybrid, to parent’s choice. Employers required to provide leave under the Federal Families First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA) may be wondering how to administer FFCRA leave under this new regime.

Washington Governor Creates COVID-19 Food Production Workers Paid Leave Program

August 21, 2020Under the Washington COVID-19 Food Production Workers Paid Leave Program, no food production employer in Washington may operate from Aug. 18, 2020, to Nov. 13, 2020, unless the employer provides its workers with paid leave for certain qualifying events.