Absence Management Perspectives: Recent Episodes
DMEC
A short, conversational podcast that shines a light on the people behind the processes for integrated disability and absence management.
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 Senior Education Manager; and Virginia Cyrus, DMEC Education Manager.
They discuss takeaways from the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference, which illustrate bigger industry trends and the value of attending DMEC’s Virtual Annual Conference on Oct. 1. Register by Sept. 19 for a chance to win prizes and gain the insights and tools your team needs for ongoing success: https://dmec.org/annual-conference/virtual-event/
Resources:
- DMEC Membership
- FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors & Managers
- Virtual Annual Conference
- DMEC Certification & Training
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 to hear how her investments in training and education and her passion for supporting employees in need are improving the culture as well as the employee experience.
Additional resources:
- Intersectionality: A Valuable Tool to Normalize Disability in the Workplace
- Learn more about DMEC
- Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist
- Join the DMEC community
- FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
Mentioned in this episode:
Are Leave Management Specialists Asking the Right Questions?
Increase Your Professional Value. Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist Today: https://dmec.org/certification-and-training/clms-certification/
DMEC
Hear how answering three questions can help you lead a more purpose-driven and fully activated life from Sebastian (Seb) Terry, the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference speaker. Listen in for a fresh take on how people can gain more control over change by pausing long enough to consider their role in it and their ability to influence outcomes.
And join us for the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. Aug. 4-7 to hear more from Seb, and to capitalize on the unique opportunity to focus on the intricacies of leave management with hundreds of your peers. You'll find solutions to everyday challenges and gain the support and guidance you need for future success.
Register today: https://dmec.org/annual-conference/
What are employers missing with state disability accommodation laws? Listen in to our guests from Reliance Matrix, who add context to a recent article in @Work magazine titled “Dangers Lurk in State Discrimination Laws,” which we have unlocked for listeners. Hear Lana Steven, AVP and Senior Product Compliance Counsel, Eric Broutman, AVP & Sr. Employment Law and Litigation Counsel, and Armando Rodriguez. Esq., Product Compliance Counsel, talk about ways employers can ensure they comply with state disability accommodation laws that are, in some instances, more generous that federal laws!
Resources
- Dangers Lurk in State Discrimination Laws
- FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
- 2025 DMEC Annual Conference
- Accommodation resources & tools
Neurodiversity is like biodiversity — there is a natural variation between the ways the human brain functions and there is no one right way of thinking, learning, or behaving, explains Lizzie Somerfield, LLM, MSC, New Deal for Neurodiversity, in this podcast episode with Seth Turner, founder, senior advisor, AbsenceSoft.
Listen in to hear our guests talk about small adjustments that can be made to workplaces to ensure they are neuroinclusive, and how that can benefit all employees. Hear insights and practical guidance from Somerfield and Turner, who encourage employers to ask questions and engage openly in discussions to create psychological safety for neurodiverse individuals, who may represent one in four of your team members.
Resources:
- DMEC
- New Deal for Neurodiversity
- AbsenceSoft
- FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
- Learn more about neurodiversity during the 2025 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference on June 4 lunch-and-learn discussion titled, "From Compliance to Culture: What Every HR Leader Should Know About Neurodiversity" with leaders from ThynkStack.
- Join us for several educational sessions focused on neurodiversity during the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference Aug. 4-7 in Washington, D.C.
We encourage DMEC members to listen in and share their takeaways and insights from this episode on the DMECommunities Mental Health group. This members-only, online discussion platform enables members to post questions and share solutions!
Mentioned in this episode:
Are Leave Management Specialists Asking the Right Questions?
Increase Your Professional Value. Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist Today: https://dmec.org/certification-and-training/clms-certification/
DMEC
Why is "in loco parentis" a renewed topic of interest for leave management professionals? Has the atmosphere surrounding AI shifted? And what is it about psychedelic treatments that has employers seeking context? Listen in for "lightbulb moments" during the 2025 DMEC Compliance Conference from DMEC subject matter experts Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP, Director of Education Programs, and Jess Dudley, CLMS, CPDM, Senior Education Manager.
Join us June 4 for the 2025 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference, which features several of the sessions discussed in this episode!
A note to listeners: This version of the podcast, which is only available to DMEC members, includes extra questions and answers from our guests. Click the link below to learn more about joining the DMEC community!
Resources:
- Join DMEC to get the support you need to ensure employer compliance!
- How Can Employers Prepare for Psychedelics?
- What Role Should Health Equity Have in Benefit Discussions?
- Register for the 2025 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference on June 4!
- Plan ahead and register for the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference Aug. 4-7 in Washington, D.C.
- Increase Your Professional Value: Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist
Mentioned in this episode:
Are Leave Management Specialists Asking the Right Questions?
Increase Your Professional Value. Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist Today: https://dmec.org/certification-and-training/clms-certification/
DMEC
Why is "in loco parentis" a renewed topic of interest for leave management professionals? Has the atmosphere surrounding AI shifted? And what is it about psychedelic treatments that has employers seeking context? Listen in for "lightbulb moments" during the 2025 DMEC Compliance Conference from DMEC subject matter experts Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP, Director of Education Programs, and Jess Dudley, CLMS, CPDM, Senior Education Manager.
Join us June 4 for the 2025 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference, which features several of the sessions discussed in this episode!
Note to listeners: There is a member-exclusive version of this podcast, which includes extra questions and answers from our guests. If you are a DMEC member, click here for access. If you're not yet a member, click the link below to learn more about joining the DMEC community!
Resources:
- Join DMEC to get the support you need to ensure employer compliance!
- How Can Employers Prepare for Psychedelics?
- What Role Should Health Equity Have in Benefit Discussions?
- Register for the 2025 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference on June 4!
- Plan ahead and register for the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference Aug. 4-7 in Washington, D.C.
- Increase Your Professional Value: Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist
Mentioned in this episode:
Are Leave Management Specialists Asking the Right Questions?
Increase Your Professional Value. Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist Today: https://dmec.org/certification-and-training/clms-certification/
DMEC
How do structured policies and processes enable employers to treat employees consistently as individuals, reduce liability risks, and improve the employee experience? Listen in for guidance and context from Ryan Bruce, MEd, CRC, SPHR, CLMS, Director of Client Solutions for New York Life Group Benefit Solutions, and Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP, Director of DMEC Education Programs.
Resources:
- Get more details in the article by Bruce titled The Benefits to a Strong Return-to-Work Policy in @Work magazine, which we have unlocked for listeners.
- Register for the DMEC Building a Return-to-Work Program Microcredential Course to ensure your team is on the the right track.
- Join DMEC to get the support you need to ensure employer compliance!
Amid a sea change in policies and practices, how do employers design the types of plans and policies that ensure employees feel safe and supported? Listen in to this episode for guidance and tips from AliSchaafsma, director of absence consulting for Brown & Brown Strategic Non-Medical Solutions; and Melanie Payton, CLMS, assistant vice president of Absence Consulting and Audit Practice for Brown & Brown Strategic Non-Medical Solutions.
Resources:
- The Business Case for Inclusive Leave Programs in DMEC @Work magazine
- DMEC AbsenceNavigator™ leave planning tool
Hear more from Ali Schaafsma during the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference Aug. 3-7 in Washington, D.C. Register today!
More employers recognize the value of redesigning benefit plans and policies so they support employees during different life cycles but how do they ensure these benefits are more than just words on a page? Listen in to Bryon E. Bass, CLMS, CEO, DMEC, share insights and suggestions.
This version of the episode includes a member-exclusive Q&A with Bass, who shares insights on how employers know whether they're doing enough or perhaps too much when it comes to designing employee benefit plans and designs.
Resources referenced during this episode:
- FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
- DMEC AbsenceExemplar® Benchmarking tool
- 2025 DMEC Compliance Conference April 14-17 in Columbus, Ohio
- State and Local Leave Law Map
- Coming in Hot — A Business Case for Menopause Support in the
- Workplace: Webinar recording
- What's the Business Case for Paid Company Leave
- To Position Your Benefit Plans Competitively, Start with These Three Questions
While more employers recognize the value of redesigning benefit plans and policies to support employees during all life cycles, how do they ensure these benefits are more than just words on a page? Listen in to this episode with Bryon E. Bass, CLMS, CEO, DMEC, who shares insights and suggestions.
DMEC members have access to an exclusive Q&A with Bass on this topic of supportive leaves, and received a unique link to access the episode!
Learn more about DMEC membership to join this supportive community of leave management professionals:https://dmec.org/membership/benefits-of-membership/
Resources referenced during this episode:
- FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
- DMEC AbsenceExemplar® Benchmarking tool
- 2025 DMEC Compliance Conference April 14-17 in Columbus, Ohio
- State and Local Leave Law Map
- Coming in Hot — A Business Case for Menopause Support in the
- Workplace: Webinar recording
- What's the Business Case for Paid Company Leave
- To Position Your Benefit Plans Competitively, Start with These Three Questions
Recognizing life as a playground is part of the journey to reenergizing exhausted employees, creating safe spaces to share ideas, and encouraging teams to scale greater heights. Listen in for a sneak peek of the concepts Manley Feinberg, business leader and expert mountain climber, will share during the 2025 DMEC Compliance Conference in April!
And join us April 14-17, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio for the 2025 DMEC Compliance Conference
Is fear preventing employers from having conversations with employees diagnosed with cancer about how they can stay at work and return to work as soon as possible? Work can be part of the healing process and with new treatment approaches, many (if not most) patients survive early-stage diagnoses, explains Raghav Murali-Ganesh, MD, FRANZCR, Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder, Osara Health, and Robin Newman, Clinical Program Consultant, Osara Health, and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University. Listen in for actionable guidance.
This episode includes a member-exclusive answer from Dr. Raghav Murali-Ganesh, who shares insights about barriers to creating cancer-friendly work environments and how employers can overcome them. Access is limited to DMEC members, who received this link.
Get more insights in this DMEC @Work magazine article, which was referenced in this episode and we will unlock for podcast listeners:
- Supporting Effective Return-to-Work Practices for Employees with Cancer
Is fear preventing employers from having conversations with employees diagnosed with cancer about how they can stay at work and return to work as soon as possible? Work can be part of the healing process and with new treatment approaches, many (if not most) patients survive early-stage diagnoses, explains Raghav Murali-Ganesh, MD, FRANZCR, Chief Executive Officer, co-founder, Osara Health, and Robin Newman, clinical program consultant, Osara Health, and clinical associate professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University. Listen in for actionable guidance.
Member Exclusive Q&A
DMEC members have access to an additional answer from Dr. Raghav Murali-Ganesh, who shares insights about barriers to creating a cancer-friendly workplace and how to overcome them. The link to the full episode with this additional answer was shared with DMEC members. Learn more about membership and gain access to the full episode by contacting us at info@dmec.org.
Get more insights in this DMEC @Work magazine article, which was referenced in this episode and we will unlock for podcast listeners:
Supporting Effective Return-to-Work Practices for Employees with Cancer
How do you build the business case for company paid leave programs that align with executive goals and employee expectations so everyone comes out whole? Listen in as Tina Computzzi, senior digital product manager with Symetra Life Insurance Company, shares analyses you need and the results you can expect!
Resources:
- A Comprehensive Guide to Budget Analysis for Proposing Paid Company Leave Benefits
- Comparisons Matter: Benchmarking Provides Direction for Disability and Absence Management Professionals
- Surveys & Benchmarking Resources
Reframing employers' ideas (and assumptions) about loneliness could save them $1.54 billion annually and enhance employee experience in myriad ways. Learn how during this episode with Wendy Coduti, PhD, Regional Director of Health and Productivity Analytics and Consulting Practice for Prudential Group Insurance; and LaToya Rodriguez, MS, CRC, Regional Director of Health and Productivity Analytics and Consulting Practice for Prudential Group Insurance.
Resources:
- The Organizational Effect of Loneliness: Reasons Why Workplace Connection Should be Part of Absence Management Strategies
- A Commonly Missed Link Between Mental and Physical Disabilities Can Cost You
- Transitional Return-to-Work Programs Show Dollars and Sense ROI
Get details on how you can identify (and fill gaps) in disability and absence management from Deborah LaBonar, PhD, DMEC director of benchmarking and research. In addition to providing context for why benchmarking tools created by and for disability and absence management professionals are valuable, you'll get details on how measuring something against a standard helps employers of all sizes and industries, and ways you can use different comparators for different business units within your organization!
Resources:
- Read the latest benchmarking column in the November/December 2024 issue of @Work magazine for additional insights and stay tuned for a new column series by Deborah LaBonar in 2025: https://dmec.org/work-magazine/answer-the-so-what-question-and-reach-the-c-suite/
- Learn about DMEC surveys and benchmarking reports: https://dmec.org/resources/surveys-and-benchmarking/
Learn how the 2024 DMEC Emerging Leader Award winner is helping employees return to work while providing them with access to resources that help them learn new skills and expand their horizons. Hear about the creative approaches Tamisha Waters, senior personnel analyst I for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, has taken and her dedication to finding mutually beneficial solutions to leave management challenges!
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 Innovation in Disability and Absence Management
- The True Payoff to Integrated Disability Management
- DMEC Awards
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 Innovation in Disability and Absence Management
- The True Payoff to Integrated Disability Management
- DMEC Awards
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:
- Adjusting Mental Health Accommodations Can Make a Meaningful Difference For Employees, feature article in the 2024 Mental Health and Well-Being issue of @Work magazine (unlocked for podcast listeners)
Research referenced during this episode:
- Influence of Toxic and Transformational Leadership Practices on Nurses' Job Satisfaction, Job Stress, Absenteeism and Turnover Intention: A Cross-sectional Study
- Leaders as Role Models: Effects of Leader Presenteeism on Employee Presenteeism and Sick Leave
- Pride and Confidence at Work: Potential Predictors of Occupational Health in a Hospital Setting
- Workplace Mental Health Training for Managers and Its Effects on Sick Leave in Employees: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
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 @Work magazine article: Data Proves Correlation Between Depression and Anxiety and Disability
- DMEC Mental Health Resources & Tools
- Reasonable Accommodation Process Resources & Tools
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 Colorado and Connecticut paid family leave implementation: https://dmec.org/conferences-and-events/annual-conference/virtual-event/
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
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) was created to bridge the gap between federal laws, as Carol Miaskoff, legal counsel for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, explains in this episode. Listen in to hear Miaskoff talk with Marjory Robertson, AVP and senior counsel for Sun Life, about top employer challenges. The two also offer guidance from the PWFA rule to support employees and ensure employer compliance!
Resources:
- How Employers Could Get into Trouble Under the PWFA
- DMEC Annual Conference Aug. 5-8 in Nashville
- Section of the EEOC regulations for the PWFA that specify unnecessary delays
Industry benchmarks helped Jenny Haykin, integrated leaves and accommodations program manager for Puget Sound Energy, identify "excessive leave utilization" and reduce it by 45%! Listen in to learn how she did it.
DMEC resources referenced in the episode:
- DMEC AbsenceExemplar™ Benchmarking Dashboards
- Strategies for Managing Excessive Use of Leave
- 2024 DMEC Annual Conference
Two years after implementation, data shows that the Granite State's Voluntary Paid Family and Medical Leave Law (the first in the country) is increasingly popular with employees! What does this mean for employers? Listen in for hot-off-the-presses data and insights from Gina Rutledge, director of paid family and medical leave product management and strategic planning with MetLife.
Resources mentioned during the episode:
- 2024 DMEC Annual Conference
- Navigating PFML Options, a DMEC @Work magazine column that we have unlocked for podcast listeners
- State and Local Leave Laws Resource
- MetLife 2024 Employee Benefit Trends Study
- Diving Deeper - Navigating Delaware's PFML Regulations for Employers webinar archive
- Shift from Mandated PFML Programs-What You Need to Know webinar archive
"It needs to be ok to ask for an exception" in life, says Amberley Snyder, an award-winning rodeo rider, inspirational speaker, and social media influencer, who talks about how employers can support employees with disabilities in the workplace. Listen in for a sneak peek into Snyder's keynote presentation at the 2024 DMEC Annual Conference Aug. 5-8 in Nashville, Tenn. And get ready for helpful insights, specific guidance, and lots of laughter!
Resources:
- 2024 DMEC Annual Conference
- Amberley Snyder
- Walk, Ride, Rodeo: A Netflix movie based on Amberley Snyder's life
With mental health on track to become the No. 1 driver of short-term disability claims, employers seek new ways to support several generations of employees in the workplace. Listen in to this episode for guidance and perspectives from David Setzkorn, MBA, CPCU, senior vice president of workforce absence and disability practice leader for Sedgwick, and Mark Debus, LCSW, clinical manager of behavioral health services for Sedgwick.
Resources:
- The Evolution of Mental Health and Shifting Demographics
- DMEC Mental Health Resources & Tools
- The Evolution of Mental Health Parity: Webinar recording
- Employers Are Investing in Employee Mental Health: A DMEC Podcast Playlist
Described as one of the most volatile aspects of employment law, paid sick leave laws are increasing (and changing) at a rapid rate. Listen in to this episode with Josh Seidman, partner with Seyfarth Shaw and co-lead of the leaves of absence management and accommodations team to hear about emerging trends and common employer mistakes to avoid!
Resources:
- Hear Josh Seidman share more guidance on paid sick leave laws during the 2024 DMEC Annual Conference in August. Peruse the agenda and register: https://dmec.org/conferences-and-events/annual-conference/
- Visit the DMEC Paid Sick Leave Law Updates page for news and information provided by the Seyfarth Shaw team: https://dmec.org/resources/paid-sick-leave-updates/
Hear about creative solutions designed by two winners of the 2023 DMEC Emerging Leader Award, how they define leadership, and the mutually beneficial effects of recognizing (and rewarding) this important work! Get insights from Ashleigh Brock, JD, lead compliance coordinator for the city of Memphis, and Keemia Vaghef, PhD, director of analytics consulting, leave solutions at Alight Solutions, in this extended podcast episode!
From designing streamlined processes to improve efficiencies to dispelling benchmarking myths for greater success, these award winners set a high bar! Listen in for inspiration! And nominate superstars in your organization before May 30 for this leadership award!
Read more about the 2023 award winners in the @Work magazine article Celebrating Leadership in Absence and Disability Management Circles.
Learn about the Emerging Leader Award criteria and complete the nomination form to highlight emerging leaders in your organization!: https://dmec.org/about-dmec/leadership-award/
Hear DMEC subject matter experts discuss hot topics from the 2024 DMEC FMLA/ADA Employer Compliance Conference including priorities shared by the DOL and EEOC. Bryon Bass, CLMS, CEO; Jess Dudley, CLMS, CPDM, education manager; and Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP, director of education programs, talk about what resonated most as well as tips to help integrated disability and absence managers create compliant and caring environments.
Resources referenced in this episode:
- 2024 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference
- FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
- Building a Return-to-Work Program Microcredential Course
- DMEC
Creating programs that address an employee’s unique social determinants of health (SDOH) can improve employee health and productivity, say Patty Nunez, MA, CRC, CDMS, CCM, Commissioner, Commission for Case Manager Certification, and director, Claim Supply Management, CNA Insurance, and Vivian Campagna, DNP, RN-BC, CCM, chief industry relations officer with the Commission for Case Manager Certification in this episode of the podcast. The work can also prevent accidents or injuries that prompt leaves of absence. Hear what employers can do to embrace the concept and construct of SDOH to improve employee health, wellness, and safety.
Resources:
- Addressing Social Determinants of Health Improves Absence Management and Return to Work
- DMEC resources
- FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
“There’s never been a more compelling business case for investing in mental health than there is now,” says Bryon Bass, CLMS, CEO, DMEC. Hear Bass discuss takeaways from the 2024 DMEC Virtual Mental Health Conference with Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP, DMEC director of education programs, and Jess Dudley, CLMS, CPDM, DMEC education manager, in this podcast episode. The conference, which was sponsored by the Marsh McLennan Agency, highlighted employer case studies, business case tips, and resources galore! Listen in for details!
Resources:
- DMEC Mental Health Resources
- A Four-Part Framework for a Mental Health-Friendly Workplace
- How to Create Mentally Healthier Work Environments
- Now is the Time for Employers to Make Mental Health an Organizational Priority
- The Surgeon General's Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being
- Hear How Employers Are Investing in Employee Mental Health: A DMEC Podcast Playlist
- Equalizing Mental and Physical Health in the Workplace
- Employers Seek Ways to Turn the Tide on Employee Mental Health
Nora Burns, founder and chief curiosity officer of The Leadership Experts, shares findings from her Undercover Candidate research, some of which she describes as horrifying! Listen in to hear this dynamic HR executive turned consultant talk about the cost of culture in advance of her keynote presentation at the 2024 DMEC FMLA/ADA Employer Compliance Conference March 25-28.
Resources noted:
- Redefining Culture and Its Costs: Undercover Project Perspectives, a Q&A with Nora Burns
- 2024 DMEC FMLA/ADA Employer Compliance Conference March 25-28 in Dallas, Texas
- The Leadership Experts
- DMEC
Does your organization consider leave as an event or a part of the employment process? Your answer might determine more than you think! Listen in as DMEC education team experts Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP; and Jess Dudley, CLMS, CPDM, discuss how controlling the message of employee absence can be a deciding factor in program's success! The two discuss how employers can develop a return-to-work program that not only outlines policies but encourages grace in employee interactions and helps team members stay at work and return to work when they are able to do so.
Confused about paid family and medical leave (PFML) terminology? Learn about the evolution of PFML and get tips on how employers can set realistic expectations with private-sector employees in states where voluntary PFML is available from Jessica Bolar, senior product manager, PFML and Absence Management with The Standard. While there are two of these “voluntary plans” today, there will be 16 by 2026 and industry experts like Bolar question whether there will be more. As a result, the best approach is for employers to start preparing now. Listen in for details and guidance.
Resources:
- The Eye of the Storm: The Evolution of PFML Trends and Paid Leave Policies
Employers can create mentally healthy workplaces. One key component is talking with employees about potential solutions to help reduce workload or stress instead of acting independently to protect them; actions that could be misconstrued and cause more harm than good. In this episode Paula Allen, global leader and senior vice president of Research and Client Insights for TELUS Health, offers insights and tips to help identify and mitigate mental health risks in the workplace, equip managers with the information and skills they need, and access the right resources when employees need them most. Listen in for details, and read the Q&A with Allen "How to Create Mentally Healthier Work Environments" in @Work magazine for additional context.
Resources cited in the podcast:
- Workplace Strategy Index for Mental Health tool
- TELUS Mental Health Index
- 2024 DMEC Virtual Mental Health Conference Jan. 23 & 25, 2024
- DMEC Mental Health Resources
- DMEC Mental Health Podcast Playlist
It is increasingly important for employers to participate in policy conversations about state paid family and medical leave implementation to ensure their voices are heard, says Tracy Marshall, BSN, RN, CCM, CDMS, SHRM-SCP, division director, Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) division, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Listen in for details about FAMLI, the value of more employers engaging in the rule-making process, perspectives shared during an employer roundtable discussion Marshall facilitated during the 2023 DMEC Annual Conference, and more.
Resources:
- FAMLI website
- FAMLI Resources for Employers
- 2024 DMEC FMLA/ADA Employer Compliance Conference
- DMEC Resources
Unanswered questions and confusion about restricted duty (who is eligible, when should it be recommended, and what an employer's responsibilities are) can delay an employee's return to work, says Tracie DeFreitas, a program leader and director of training, services, and outreach for the Job Accommodation Network. Get insights and perspectives in this episode!
JAN resources referenced in this episode:
- Light duty: https://askjan.org/topics/liduty.cfm
- Stay at Work/Return to Work: https://askjan.org/topics/return.cfm
- Pregnancy: https://askjan.org/disabilities/Pregnancy.cfm
- Employer-provided Leave and the Americans with Disabilities Act: https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/employer-provided-leave-and-americans-disabilities-act
- Enforcement Guidance: Workers' Compensation and the ADA: https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/enforcement-guidance-workers-compensation-and-ada
- Regulations to Implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/11/2023-17041/regulations-to-implement-the-pregnant-workers-fairness-act
DMEC-Related Resources:
- Creating More Effective Return-to-Work Pathways podcast episode
- DMEC accommodation resources
- DMEC website
Strong absence and disability management processes empower employers and help support employees during emotional times, explains Rachel Shaw, president/principal consultant, Shaw HR Consulting. Data can provide a life vest during emotional discussions when employees seek accommodations for disabilities and performance issues muddy the waters.
DMEC resources mentioned during the podcast:
- At the Crossroads of Performance Management and Disability: Using the Right Tool for the Job
- DMECommunities, an online member networking and discussion platform
- DMEC Resources
Listen in as DMEC subject matter experts share takeaways and favorite moments from the 2023 DMEC Annual Conference. From inspiring keynote speakers to breaking news about psychedelic drugs to treat mental illness, and important reminders about the meaningful work absence managers do, hear what resonated with Bryon Bass, CLMS, incoming DMEC CEO; Kristin Jones, CLMS, DMEC director of education; and Jess Dudley, CLMS, DMEC education manager.
Resources mentioned during this episode:
- The four live sessions (plus one recorded session) that will be shared during the 2023 DMEC Virtual Conference Sept. 20 have been selected and published! Learn more and register!
- How Can Employers Prepare for Psychedelics?
- DMEC resources
How will an increasing number of paid family and medical leave (PFML), which vary by state, influence the future of employee benefits? Listen in to this episode with Terri L. Rhodes, CCMP, CLMS, CPDM, MBA, CEO, DMEC, and Breanna Scott, CLMS, senior product manager, paid statutory leave for New York Life Insurance Company, for details, practical tips, and insights on industry trends.
DMEC resources unlocked for podcast listeners:
- What Does Your Paid Leave Program Say About You As An Employer?
- Does Offering a Private PFML Plan Make Sense?
Identifying and embracing differences among four generations in the workplace is essential for employer success, explains Raven Solomon, CEO of Raven Solomon Enterprises, and keynote speaker for the 2023 DMEC Annual Conference. Hear Raven discuss the business strategy to pursuing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that encourages a sense of belonging and ensures accessibility in this episode of the DMEC podcast.
- Hear Raven Solomon's keynote presentation during the 2023 DMEC Annual Conference Aug. 14-17
- Read the article Raven mentions in this episode, "Six Things You Need to Know in order to Effectively Lead Gen Z"
- Raven mentions the value of "micro learning" in this episode. Learn about DMEC's microcredential program
How can employers create an environment that encourages employees to return to work when possible? Kerri Wizner, MPH, Assistant Director of Epidemiology for MDGuidelines, and Dr. Keemia Vaghef, PhD, Director of Analytics Consulting for Alight Leave Solutions, share insights and recommendations in this episode, which elaborates on concepts discussed in their @Work magazine article "The ROI of Shifting the Curve Toward Optimum Durations.“ Listeners will also hear from W. Shane Journeay PhD, MPH, MD, FRCPC, BC-Occ Med, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation & Occupational Medicine, who shares a valuable provider perspective.
Related DMEC Resources
- The ROI of Shifting the Curve Toward Optimum Durations
- Building a Return-to-Work Program Microcredential Course
Setting expectations that employee health and wellness (physical and mental) are part of a manager's responsibilities and training them to identify and address issues early will become increasingly important, says Dr. Kristin Tugman, vice president of health and productivity and holistic wellness for Prudential. She offers guidance and suggestions for how employers can equalize mental and physical health in the workplace in this podcast episode.
Get additional context and context from Dr. Tugman in this Q&A: Time for Change: Employers Can Help Turn the Tide with Mental Health Awareness and Treatment
DMEC
Episode description: Despite best intentions, intermittent leave can disrupt the most productive teams, and some say it's more susceptible to abuse. Yet creating policies with clear, regular communication can help employers ensure that everyone comes out whole, explains Lana Ruprecht, director, product compliance counsel, Reliance Matrix; and Marti Cardi, senior compliance consultant and legal counsel, Reliance Matrix.
More information:
- @Work magazine column: Responding to FMLA Intermittent Requests for “Planned Treatment” – When Does This “Unduly Disrupt” Operations?
Resource:
- Department of Labor Opinion Letter Search Hub
By integrating absence and disability management, employers leverage the information they have more effectively, create more positive employee experiences, and remove undue burdens to access, explains Sara Elder, JD, vice president of operations, Sedgwick. Learn how to protect your absence and disability managers from feeling like air traffic controllers in this episode of the DMEC podcast.
As managers and supervisors do more with less, adding "pause points" when working with employees and fielding requests for leave and accommodation could help employers avoid liability. Listen in as Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP, DMEC Director of Education Programs; and Jess Dudley, CLMS, CPDM, DMEC Education Manager, discuss the issue.
Related resources from DMEC:
- FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
- DMEC Certification & Training
It is increasingly important for employers to assess absence management policies to identify and address inherent bias. This work helps employers become more inclusive and avoid risks, explains Amber Burnap, CLMS, a senior absence consultant with Brown & Brown, in this podcast episode.
Learn more in Amber's feature article "To Gender Equity and Beyond" in the Employer Practices Compliance issue of @Work magazine. DMEC unlocked this article for podcast listeners.
Hear DMEC subject matter experts Terri L. Rhodes, Kristin Jones, and Jess Dudley talk about what they learned during the four-day conference, what surprised them, and the valuable resources they’re already using in this episode.
And sign up now for the 2023 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference May 3: http://dmec.org/conferences-and-events/compliance-conference/virtual-event/
Puget Sound Energy has registered unprecedented engagement with its mental health and wellness programs. Learn how they design offerings, customize programs to align with company culture, and use data to gauge success.
And read an article in @Work magazine that highlights this success and has been unlocked for listeners: http://bit.ly/3SSrlnL
Technology can be a valuable asset for absence and disability management professionals, who align expectations among team members and build plans for reasonable goals. Learn how to make the most of technology in this podcast episode that elaborates on concepts shared in the Technology & Innovation issue of DMEC's @Work magazine. We've unlocked the column "Integration Technology 101: Master the Basics for a Better Leave Experience" so listeners get the full story.
Hear how employers can encourage employees to show up as their "whole selves" at work, create supportive environments, and recognize the value of lived experience. One key: Be honest about failures, share details about goals, and always be transparent, advises Jamira Burley, an award-winning social impact advisor and strategic initiatives lead for worldwide education at a large technology company. Burley is the keynote speaker for the 2023 DMEC FMLA/ADA Employer Compliance Conference. Her presentation "Fearlessly Authentic: The Story of Self" is scheduled for March 28 in Orlando, Fla.
Resources:
- A Q&A with Jamira Burley: Redefining the Term Expert and Creating Workspaces Where People Can Be Authentic
- iamhereto
- Jamira Burley
- 2023 DMEC FMLA/ADA Employer Compliance Conference March 27-30 in Orlando, Fla.
What's the best way to protect employers and provide for employees who are pregnant? "Avoid lawsuits," advises Marjory Robertson, Esq., assistant vice president and senior counsel for Sun Life, in this episode of Absence Management Perspectives: A DMEC Podcast. The topic is especially timely with new legislation that requires employers with at least 15 employees to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees. The issue of how (and whether) to accommodate pregnant workers could get easier for employers once the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act become effective June 27, 2023. Listen in to this episode for insights on court cases that illustrate the costs and complexity involved now and how the federal legislation could change behavior to ensure all employees are treated equally and fairly.
Resources noted during the podcast:
- Navigating the Complex Web of Pregnancy and Parental Leave Laws and Programsfeature article in @Work magazine: http://dmec.org/2022/11/20/navigating-the-complex-web-of-pregnancy-and-parental-leave-laws-and-programs/
- DMECommunities: http://dmec.org/resources/dmecommunities/
- Insights from Marjory Robertson about recent court cases on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjoryrobertson
Tracking the growing number of “safe leave” laws, an umbrella term that applies to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking laws, could be a full-time job for human resources and absence management specialists, say legal experts from Matrix Absence Management, who provide resources and guidance in this episode.
Additional resources mentioned in the episode:
- A Better Balance
- State Leave Laws Relating to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking
- Leave for Domestic Violence Victims Best Practices Checklist
Employers get a unique and valuable insider perspective on how they can encourage a feeling of belonging in their workplaces, and how those efforts lead to more collaborative environments that tap into the rich experiences and differences of employees. Get insights into how differences make teams stronger and more resilient and ways (and resources) to encourage open and honest dialogue, embrace differences, and build stronger relationships.
Resource links:
•https://drnancydome.com/
•https://epocheducation.com/
Confronted with massive change and instability, savvy employers will focus on people skills and the core tenets of what leadership means, says Dr. Dupree. An absence management consultant and mediation specialist, Dupree recommends that employers invest more in training and education for managers to ensure their actions align with the organization's mission, vision, and values, and that they update policies and procedures to be more inclusive.
Read the Q&A in the Healthcare And Wellness issue of @Work magazine: http://dmec.org/2022/11/20/industry-qa-a-different-mindset-to-ensure-inclusive-environments/
While compliance questions continue to top the list for integrated absence management professionals, DMEC education experts discuss trends they're seeing and what that says about an increasing knowledge gap that can put employers at risk.
An innovative, integrated approach to population health has improved employee engagement (four-fold), reduced short-term disability days, and saved close to $2,000 per episode. Learn how.
Absence management professionals are faced with an increasingly challenging landscape of paid family and medical leave laws and paid sick and safe laws. Get tips and tools for ways you can support employees and stay compliant.
More employers are questioning how they create time away programs that are meaningful to employee populations of all ages and backgrounds. Hear how bucketing leaves can empower employees to take the time they need to maintain a work-life balance in this episode of Absence Management Perspectives: A DMEC Podcast.
Employers are in a tough position when it comes to whether they can (or should) test employees for marijuana use. A key question is what they learn from the tests, which are limited, and whether they're better served with investments in supervisor training to ensure safe work environments. Listen in to this dynamic conversation between Terri L. Rhodes, DMEC CEO, and Kathryn Russo, an attorney with Jackson Lewis P.C., who helps employers avoid legal potholes.
A story of rehabilitation and recovery from Long COVID: An employer representative, physical therapist, and employee share an inside look at what's working in Minnesota.
Hear one insider's perspective on how "total absence management" has evolved and now reflects responsibility for anything that affects employee productivity. "This is a whole new frontier," says Debby Kweller, an entrepreneur and long-time DMEC member. Get a bird's eye perspective on how the world of absence management has changed in the last 30 years, and the reason why this role is now in the spotlight for employers of all sizes.
Get the inside story about how DMEC was founded 30 years ago and the secrets to its ongoing success, which might surprise (and delight) you.
Employer investments in education and training lead to greater employee satisfaction and retention as well as stronger organizations overall, explains Kristin Jones, DMEC's director of education. Listen in to this episode for insights about how the world of education has changed and why employers need to invest as much in retention efforts as they do in recruitment to build and maintain loyalty.
While challenging to implement, paid family leave (PFL) and paid family and medical leave (PFML) laws provide employers with an opportunity to revise benefits and policies to ensure equity and fairness, and to attract and retain talent. Listen in to this episode as Terri L. Rhodes, DMEC chief executive officer, talks with Jessica Bolar, product manager for The Standard; and Regina Stringer, director of integrated absence management for Walmart about the challenges to tracking and implementing these laws as well as some of the silver linings they’ve seen.
Supporting mental health and wellness is a priority for employers that are seeing an increase in people dying from "diseases of despair." Dr. Dan Jolivet, a psychologist and workplace possibilities practice consultant for The Standard, offers practical tips and guidance for employers that want to invest in the mental health and wellness of their employees, and how they can measure success. He talks about trauma-informed care, peer groups, ways to prepare managers, and how to ensure that employees know about and access resources. This podcast expands on issues Dr. Jolivet covers in his @Work magazine article including trauma-informed management, which is a helpful tool as employees return to office environments after working remotely for years due to the pandemic.
Terri Rhodes, CEO of DMEC, discusses findings and trends illustrated by the 11th Annual DMEC Employer Leave Management Survey with Karen English, senior vice president of Spring Consulting, an Alera Group Company.
While there’s a common belief that electronic performance monitoring (EPM) can improve productivity, this podcast provides a human resources perspective on the technology while weighing its benefits and detriments. EPM can have significant benefits for employers “when used with a degree of balance,” explains Coy Hillstead, EdD, DMEC member, in this episode.
Listen in as Erin Ludy, director of absence management for Mercyhealth, shares the impressive work that earned her the DMEC Emerging Leader Award in 2021, the value of acknowledging the hard work that goes into creating successful absence management programs, and how she defines leadership.
In this episode you'll get insights about intersectionality, a valuable tool that helps absence management professionals guide employees with disabilities through the return-to-work process. Pilar Vélez, a DMEC member and ADA Program Manager and Global Benefits Program Manager with Intel Corporation, provides a uniquely valuable perspective that is both moving and inspirational. DMEC has unlocked the article she wrote about intersectionality for @Work magazine to provide additional context: http://dmec.org/2021/11/16/employer-perspective-intersectionality-and-disability/.
The first episode of "Absence Management Perspectives: A DMEC Podcast" offers insights into how absence management professionals have kept pace with high demand for Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation requests prompted by COVID-19. Listen in as Terri L. Rhodes, CEO of Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC), chats with industry experts about the volume of claims, coping mechanisms, and the agility and innovation that has kept professionals' heads above water during this difficult time. Guests include DeShawna Manley, a national benefits director for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and Bryon Bass, senior vice president of workforce absence for Sedgwick.