If the thought of discussing sleep hygiene at work sounds foreign, listen in to this episode to hear why more employers are discussing sleep disorders to ensure team safety and productivity. Gage Koeller, senior research analyst at MDGuidelines, and Matt Thiese, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Utah, share startling statistics on costs as well as ideas for what you can do to improve employee health. Find additional insights and research from our guests in their column Why Should

Joel Zeff, work culture expert, improvisational humorist, and author, gives a sneak peek into his 2026 DMEC Compliance Conference keynote presentation. It focuses on the value of investing in fun at work and how that helps organizations of all sizes and industries become more productive. Listen in for details and a story you won’t forget about a magic harmonica, and join us for the 2026 DMEC Compliance Conference April 13-16 in St. Louis, Mo., for four days of educational sessions,

Hear insights on education trends that set employers up for greater success, including a shift toward competency-based analyses that ensure employees have a clear roadmap for growth that aligns with employer expectations and leads to smarter hiring choices for employers, more focused development, and stronger performance management. Get the inside scoop from DMEC Education gurus Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP, Director, Education Programs, and Laura Boll, CLMS, Experiential Learning Manager. Resources: Certification & Training resources Certified Leave Management Specialist Certification:

Parental leave may serve as a signal for how organizations treat employees. Would yours be green, yellow, or red? Listen in to this episode with Allison Whalen, cofounder, CEO, Parentaly, who shares recent data findings and insights into how employers benefit from a strategic plan for parental leave. Resources: Can Managers Make or Break the Parental Leave Experience for Employees? DMEC Benefits of DMEC Membership FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers training

Ditching the word psychedelic is helping employers embrace therapies that show “groundbreaking results” including faster recovery and more productive employees, explains Sherry Rais, CEO and co-founder of Enthea, in this episode. In addition to health improvements, these therapies can lead to lower healthcare costs and lower disability costs. Hear more about psychedelic-assisted therapies that can be effective with treatment-resistant patients, studies underway in this episode of the DMEC podcast.

As the leave management landscape continues to morph and change across the U.S., employers are getting more creative with how they support employees, and recognizing the need to lead with heart. With higher employee expectations for benefit plan and program design, DMEC subject matter experts note that employers are giving more than ever before during this episode of the DMEC podcast. Listen in for insights from Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP, Director, DMEC Education Programs; Jess Dudley, CLMS, CPDM, DMEC