2025 Americans with Disabilities Act and Return to Work Issue

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September-October 2025

Employers hold the key to designing benefit plan and policy designs that support employees and ensure compliance with an increasing number of local, state, and federal laws. And the need to open doors to new program possibilities that help support employee health and wellness as well as recruit and retain an increasingly diverse workforce is emphasized in this issue of DMEC @Work magazine. It is time to rethink approaches, test benefits that protect and support employee health, and reassess accommodation programs to ensure that practical realities align with organizational intent. This issue of @Work magazine focuses on the Americans with Disabilities Act and Return to Work. The magazine is a DMEC member benefit that helps unlock possibilities for employers of all industries and sizes.

The CEO's Desk

Eyes on the Prize: Why Employers Taking a Holistic Approach is a Positive Sign

During the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference, I heard a recurring theme: Employers are embracing a holistic approach to leave and accommodation management — a promising shift that signals real progress. The more we design benefit plans and policies with a broad brush to help employees stay at work and return, the better.

Reading the Tea Leaves: How the Future of Statutory Paid Leave Affects Employers

We’ve seen dramatic change with paid family leave since the 1940s. What should employers expect in the future?

Can Managers Make or Break the Parental Leave Experience for Employees?

Parental leave is one of the most pivotal transitions in an employee’s life — and one of the most overlooked when it comes to business and career support, according to a new survey.

Spotlight Articles

Compliance Showcase

How to Draft Successful Caregiver Leave Policies

What’s the best way for employers to stay competitive with benefit plans and policies to recruitment and retain employees and ensure compliance?

Program Showcase

Helping Employees Stay at Work and Return to Work with Worksite Supports

How can employers limit the impact of cancer on employees with these diagnoses and on their team members?

Expanded Perspectives:
@Work To Share

DMEC provides the following @Work magazine articles and podcast episodes to offer additional perspectives on and increase awareness of integrated absence management trends and challenges. The resources — available to members and nonmembers — can be shared with your colleagues and through social media channels.

Expanded Perspectives

From Counterculture to Clinical Treatment: The Potential of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

How could psychedelic-assisted treatments influence employee health and return-to-work timelines? Read on for information and data that helps illustrate how these treatments influence the brain.

Authenticity & Transparency in Action: A Successful Formula for Leave Management

After experiencing the accommodations process, Kelly Woodbridge, M.Ed., ADAC, CLMS, was inspired to create a more transparent and accessible process that encourages employees to tap into benefits that support their ongoing success. Her efforts have streamlined the leave management process at Lehigh University, which is (in part) why two of her colleagues nominated her for the 2025 DMEC Emerging Leader Award. Woodbridge is the first accommodation specialist at Lehigh and her caseload has tripled in the two-plus years she has worked for the university.

Listen in

Columns

Absence Matters

Early Intervention for Comorbid Conditions Involves Mental Health

Ensuring disability plans require intervention for mental as well as physical health is increasingly important for long-term success. We address the elephant in the room (and more) in this column.

The Disabled Workforce

The 4 C’s of Success for Implementing an ADA Disability Compliance Program

View competency, curiosity, confidence and courage as a choice, not a fixed trait, especially when you consider the connection to compliance and ongoing success.

Employer Solutions

Why Should Employers Care About Rising Sleep Disorder Rates?

Increasing diagnoses rates and high costs illustrate the value of employers investing in early, supportive interventions.

Engaging Today’s Workforce

Aging Workforce Puts ADA Accommodations to the Test  

Employers must prepare for a staggering increase in the percentage of workers aged 75+ in the workplace. How will you accommodate them?

Featured Case

Just One More Time: Handling Multiple Leave Extension Requests

When should employers draw the line when employees make repeated requests for leave extensions?

DMEC Resources

DMEC News

DMEC News: September-October 2025

Explore new courses, resources, surveys, member benefits, awards, and the upcoming virtual annual conference.

Legislative and Paid Sick Leave Updates

Check out the latest federal, state, and local compliance updates on the DMEC Legislative Updates page, and don’t miss new updates on paid sick leave that have been introduced through a variety of state and local regulations. It is essential for employers to remain informed about ongoing changes in order to effectively adapt. And follow DMEC on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for additional insight and up-to-date news

DMECommunities

The DMECommunities Americans with Disabilities Act Group offers a forum to pose questions, get guidance from colleagues, find resources, and more! This exclusive online networking group gives DMEC members the opportunity to connect with industry peers, ask/answer questions, share resources, and seek feedback. Get started.

@Work

Editorial Staff

Editor: Heather Grimshaw
Editorial Advisory Group Members: Linda Croushore, Rebecca Fisco, Jenny Haykin, Terri Morris, Fred Schott, Jessica Thornton, and Lori Vickory

Editorial Policy

The goal of @Work is to present industry and Association news, highlight member achievements, and promote the exchange of specialized professional information. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Association, its staff, board of directors, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers does not constitute an endorsement of products or services featured in this, past, or subsequent issues of this publication. DMEC makes no representations, warranties, or assurances as to accuracy of the information contained in the articles, and no content herein is legal or tax advice. Consult appropriate professionals for legal or tax advice.

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2025 Americans with Disabilities Act and Return to Work Issue

September-October 2025

The CEO's Desk

Eyes on the Prize: Why Employers Taking a Holistic Approach is a Positive Sign

Feature Articles

Spotlight Articles

Compliance Showcase

How to Draft Successful Caregiver Leave Policies

Program Showcase

Helping Employees Stay at Work and Return to Work with Worksite Supports

Expanded Perspectives: @Work To Share

DMEC Podcast

Columns

DMEC Resources

Legislative and Paid Sick Leave Updates

DMECommunities

@Work

Editorial Staff

Editorial Policy

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