Krystle Barnes-Iwediebo, SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, director of disability and absence management for New York-Presbyterian Hospital, redesigned processes to improve efficiencies, ensure a person-centered approach, and deliver an impressive return on investment. As the first winner of the DMEC Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award, Barnes-Iwediebo exemplifies leadership in integrated disability and absence management. Listen in to her story! More resources: Read more about the inaugural DMEC Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award and the 2024 DMEC Emerging Leader Award winner in the @Work magazine article Celebrating Leadership and

Where are you on the integrated disability and absence management continuum? Hear how that affects employee experience and an employer’s bottom line in this podcast episode with DMEC CEO Bryon E. Bass, CLMS. Read more about the Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award and see a video with DMEC’s first award winner Krystle Barnes-Iwediebo: https://dmec.org/awards/kaleta-carruthers-innovation-award/

What’s the secret sauce to helping employees return to work as quickly as possible and remain healthy? Confidence and appropriate mental health accommodations play a key role. Listen in to this discussion with Kerri Wizner, MPH, CPH, head of epidemiology, Alight MD Guidelines, and Keemia Vaghef, PhD, director of value engineering, Alight Leave Solutions, for details about a 4:1 return on investment with mental health supports and why it’s so important to engage and support managers in this process! Resources:

Recognizing that every absence has a psychosocial element is increasingly important for employers, explains Ian Bridgman, executive director of the Claim Lab, and Fred Schott, consultant with the Council for Disability Income Awareness. It can help employees stay at work and return to work as soon as possible and reduce the risk of employees with mental illness developing physical disabilities. Listen in for insights about why it’s essential to emphasize the human element in absence and disability management. Resources: DMEC

In addition to complying with hundreds of leave laws, employers must support employees more holistically to attract and retain top talent. But how? Hear insights from the 2024 DMEC Annual Conference from Bryon Bass, CLMS, DMEC CEO; Kristin Jones, CLMS, DMEC director of education programs; and Jess Dudley, CLMS, DMEC education manager! Listen in and register for the 2024 Virtual Annual Conference on Sept. 18 for five of the top-rated sessions and a pre-recorded panel about lessons learned from the

Using artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool, not a replacement, for humans will be increasingly important for employer success, explains Bryon Bass, CLMS, CEO, DMEC, and Joe Lynett, a principal with JacksonLewis P.C. in this episode. Listen in for examples of AI-related employer risks, including the four-fifths rule. Additional resources: Additional resources: Boon or Bane: Wading Into AI Waters and Defining Risk in IDAM Circles Integration Technology 101: Master the Basics for a Better Leave Experience