In today’s world, implementing disability and absence management successfully requires a broad wingspan to navigate the vast scope and complexity of our work and to address the high stakes involved. Traditionally, we encouraged innovative thinking by urging people to “think outside the box.” But now, with technology reshaping our landscape, that box has become obsolete in many ways. Does this mean the possibilities are endless when it comes to reimagining disability and absence management?
Yes, as long as we have the right people at the table and DMEC is committed to ensuring that reality. We see it in action with our two 2024 award winners who are profiled in this issue.
As we wrap up 2024 and look ahead, I urge each of you to make certain that the invaluable contributions of disability and absence managers are fully recognized and no longer overlooked.
These inspirational professionals — Krystle Barnes-Iwediebo and Tamisha Waters, who won the inaugural Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award and the Emerging Leader Award, respectively — illustrate the value of curiosity, a willingness to challenge the status quo, and the bravery to ask hard questions and test new approaches. They push boundaries, encourage and build consensus among colleagues, and seek solutions to current and future challenges.
We appreciate and champion their work to ensure good employee experiences, which they understand are inextricably tied to a better bottom line for employers. And we encourage you to watch the video of Barnes-Iwediebo accepting the first-ever Kaleta-Carruthers Innovation Award and listen in to the DMEC podcast to hear about these award winners talk about their motivation for change and the way they define success. I know you will be inspired by these professionals. I am.
One story we hear regularly from award winners is that their work is frequently done behind the scenes and, as a result, it goes unnoticed. It is important to acknowledge and celebrate innovation at every level and in every form. These awards are bestowed on the main stage of our annual conference to illustrate our commitment to recognizing the importance of this work. We know it ensures employees who need accommodation feel supported and cared for during the process. And we know that those efforts influence productivity, tenure, and team morale. It is meaningful and valuable work.
As we wrap up 2024 and look ahead, I urge each of you to make certain that the invaluable contributions of disability and absence managers are fully recognized and no longer overlooked.
Future Focused
We must celebrate innovation in all of its forms. This issue features innovative approaches and technology. The “and” is important here because innovation does not always involve technology, but it can. As you flip through this issue, you will see questions about when employers should invest in technology, how that process can be streamlined to ensure success, and how to ensure the right people are included in reviewing proposals and making decisions. These are important questions to consider as companies of all sizes embrace technology to improve efficiency and to support employees. And more companies are doing just that, according to the 2023 DMEC Employer Leave Management Survey.
Technology can help employees across the country (and globe) access the information and tools they need when they need them, as illustrated in this issue. There are myriad benefits to embracing technology as well as risks to using these tools for the very personal work our members do. This is a topic I explore in my trends article Boon or Bane: Wading into AI Waters and Defining Risk in IDAM Circles on artificial intelligence (AI) and during the podcast episode Employer Warning: Don’t Be Fooled by AI Hallucinations.
It is an issue DMEC will continue to explore through its AI Think Tank in 2025 with stakeholders, who represent different perspectives, from regulatory bodies to employers, industry groups, and technology entrepreneurs and experts.
AI has been around since the invention of the first machine, yet we are just beginning to see how machine learning and large language models can influence the IDAM realm as more companies adopt various AI components. This evolution presents an ideal opportunity to foster industry discussions that ensure responsible and equitable implementation of AI in IDAM programs. PERKY, a national DMEC sponsor, is supporting this initiative.
Our goal is to build a future in which AI contributes positively to IDAM, and helps support inclusivity, diversity, and ethical integrity within organizations. Stay tuned for next steps and share your takeaways from this issue as well as the issues related to technology in the DMECommunities Technology group.
