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

Webinar Recording: Moving the Needle on Mental Health – Tips & Strategies For Effective Well-being

January 24, 2023Mental health support is part of every savvy employer’s benefit offerings, and for good cause. When employees are mentally well, they are more likely to be physically healthier and more ... Read More

New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Declared Null and Void

January 20, 2023On Friday, Jan. 13, 2022, a New York State Supreme Court Judge for Onondaga County struck down the New York State Department of Health regulation mandating certain healthcare professionals be “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, declaring the regulation to be “null, void, and of no effect.” (Medical Professionals for Informed Consent, et. al. v. Bassett, et al.)

Long COVID: Assessing and Managing Workforce Impact

January 18, 2023Long COVID: Assessing and Managing Workforce Impact shares effective solutions and strategies for employers as they help employees with long COVID remain on the job, return to work in an effective and productive capacity, or access leave if they are unable to work.

2022 DMEC Long COVID Pulse Survey Results

January 18, 2023In October 2022, DMEC surveyed 242 organizations across a variety of industries about current long COVID caseloads, accommodation practices, and strategic planning for long COVID management. This report highlights the survey results.

Important Information about Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program

January 6, 2023Starting Jan. 1, 2023, Colorado employers must comply with Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Act, which requires nearly all employers and all employees to contribute to the state’s paid family and medical leave program.

New York Department of Health Revises the COVID-19 Return-to-Work Protocols

December 28, 2022On Nov. 30, 2022, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) updated its Advisory on Return-to-Work Protocols for Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to Sars-CoV-2.

Appellate Court Addresses How Much Information Employee Must Submit to Support an Accommodation Request

December 15, 2022One of the many difficult issues employers face under the ADA is determining what information a disabled employee must provide to an employer to trigger the employer’s duty to accommodate a disability. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit addressed that question for the first time in Owens v. Georgia.

Webinar Recording: State PFML Comparisons and Prospects for a Federal Solution

December 15, 2022Understanding statutory paid family leave (PFL) and paid family and medical leave (PFML) mandates — which continue to evolve and proliferate around the country — is no easy task. Legal ... Read More

New York Bars Discipline for Legally Protected Employee Absences

December 7, 2022On Nov. 21, 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law clarifying that it is unlawful for an employer to penalize an employee for any absence protected under federal, state, or local law.

Webinar Recording: Serving Those Who Serve – Addressing the Unique Needs of Military Caregivers

November 30, 2022As we wrapped up National Family Caregiver Month in November, the burden is real and does not end! We focused on unique challenges faced by caregivers of individuals who have ... Read More

Webinar Recording: How to Develop a Leave Compliance Process

November 17, 2022Every company needs a compliance process in all aspects of their operations to make sure employees are treated fairly and within legal guidelines. With many companies hiring rapidly, it is ... Read More

Webinar Recording: Statutory Paid Leaves – What You Need to Know For 2023

November 16, 2022If you have employees in a statutory jurisdiction, you’re likely looking for tools and tactics to stay on top of your compliance obligations. There are several states that have enacted ... Read More

Webinar Recording: Back to the Future – 2022 Trends and 2023 Predictions

November 3, 2022We’ve seen dizzying changes in the integrated disability and absence management (IDAM) space over the past few years, and 2022 was no exception! Join this interactive webinar to get your ... Read More

The Aftermath of U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs: Where Are the States in Fall 2022?

November 2, 2022The legal landscape around abortion rights has changed greatly following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, No. 19-1392 (June 24, 2022), which ended a nearly 50-year precedent protecting the right to abortion and opened the door for states to implement and enforce new laws on access to abortion.

Webinar Recording: Layers of Leave – A Practical Guide for Program Navigation

November 1, 2022Employee leave is a complicated subject, and it continues to become more complex as new rules and regulations are created regarding federal, state, local, and company leaves. This new landscape ... Read More

Webinar Recording: Shift From Mandated PFML Programs – What You Need To Know

October 25, 2022With the absence of a federal program, individual states have been adopting their own variations of paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs — each of which are unique. So ... Read More

Puerto Rico Disability Discrimination Law Covers Registered and Authorized Medical Cannabis Patients

October 24, 2022Puerto Rico’s disability discrimination statute (Law 44-1985), the local counterpart of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has been amended to extend coverage to registered and authorized medical cannabis patients. The amendment (Law 90-2022) went into effect on Oct. 14, 2022, upon Governor Pedro Pierluisi’s signing.

Election Day is Coming – A Reminder of Employer Obligations

October 21, 2022With midterm elections upon us, employers should ensure they are aware of and in compliance with state law requirements related to employee voting rights.

Webinar Recording: Northeast Region Compliance Update

October 20, 2022The compliance landscape surrounding absence and disability management is changing at a dizzying pace. DMEC’s annual compliance update webinar series is intended to help employers who might be struggling to ... Read More

Webinar Recording: Midwest Region Compliance Update

October 18, 2022The compliance landscape surrounding absence and disability management is changing at a dizzying pace. DMEC’s annual compliance update webinar series is intended to help employers who might be struggling to ... Read More

San Francisco’s OLSE Issues FAQs for Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance

October 14, 2022In June, San Francisco voters approved Proposition G, which created the Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance (PHELO). The ordinance requires private employers to provide paid leave to employees for “public health emergencies.”

Webinar Recording: South Region Compliance Update

October 13, 2022The compliance landscape surrounding absence and disability management is changing at a dizzying pace. DMEC’s annual compliance update webinar series is intended to help employers who might be struggling to ... Read More

California COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Extended Until Year End with Potential Grants

October 12, 2022California has extended COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) through Dec. 31, 2022. On Sept. 29, 2022, California’s Governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 152 which amends the existing SPSL law and provides for state grants to certain employers.

Webinar Recording: West Region Compliance Update

October 11, 2022The compliance landscape surrounding absence and disability management is changing at a dizzying pace. DMEC’s annual compliance update webinar series is intended to help employers who might be struggling to ... Read More

Webinar Recording: Compliance Jeopardy – Leave of Absence Edition

October 6, 2022THIS IS JEOPARDY! Now entering the studio are today’s contestants — all returning champions with unmatched total winnings! We invite you to tune in for a rollicking game of Compliance ... Read More