Navigating the Complex Web of Pregnancy and Parental Leave Laws and Programs
Employers and employees face a daunting task when it comes to planning for leave related to pregnancy, childbirth, and bonding with a new child. Many disability laws and policies may apply that provide paid leave, unpaid leave, and/or paid benefits for disability during pregnancy, disability to recover from childbirth,
Powerful Returns Prompt Employers to Rethink Benefit Offerings
Before the pandemic, many Americans were ill-prepared for unexpected emergencies, which has been exacerbated by the recent rise in inflation. As a result, more employees are forced to tap into their savings and 401(k) plans to make ends meet. A few ways that employers can help employees get back
The CEO’s Desk: Doing Good = Doing Well
Investments in employee healthcare and wellness can have major budget implications and influence the work of integrated absence management professionals in myriad ways — from return-to-work time frames to short- and long-term disability costs, the duration of family and medical leaves, and more.
2022 Americans with Disabilities Act Issue
Absence management professionals continue to recognize the value of reinforcing the power of tried-and-true programs and policies for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This issue of @Work magazine highlights how regular education, training, and program review ensures that teams have what they need to successfully and compliantly conduct the
DMEC News: September 2022
Meet the industry professionals DMEC recognized at the 2022 DMEC Annual Conference with the DMEC Emerging Leader Award and the DMEC Partnership Award and learn more about the latest state leave law microcredential courses released in August and September.
The Disabled Workforce: Staying Inspired
Evaluating medical needs and exploring appropriate reasonable accommodations are not easy tasks. What can your organization do to support the teams that do this work? The answer is two-fold: Revamp your process and inspire disability compliance staff. Good processes lead to sound decisions and ensure you perform the same
Leave Technology: Leveraging Data for Success
Whether leave management is insourced or outsourced, good data is needed to support eligibility and pay calculations, employee communications, and reporting. It is a critical component and essentially the foundation of any successful leave management solution.
Featured Case: Leave Extensions and Delayed RTW Dates
Courts differ when determining exactly how much leave is unreasonable. Some courts found that four to six months of leave is unreasonable while others say an extended leave request may be a reasonable accommodation if there is no undue hardship. In all instances, employers should conduct a case-by-case assessment
Common Sense Compliance: Telecommuting Accommodations
In 2022, as leaders required employees to return to offices on a full-time or hybrid basis, employees have pushed back. Under the employment-at-will doctrine, employers generally have the right to terminate work-from-home arrangements. However, under statutory accommodation laws, employers may be required to continue to permit remote work for
Employer Solutions: ADA Interactive Process
It takes a meeting of open minds to come up with a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and an interactive conversation is the key to getting there. The interactive process, which is often an informal face-to-face meeting, helps employers and employees identify limitations and potential