
Challenges - It’s confusing, isn’t it? How are we supposed to keep it all straight when there are times when the legal requirements of both the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the American Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA) are similar, yet at other times one law contradicts another? We find that we can’t comply with both laws at the same time, so which one takes precedence over the other? And where does WC come in? To complicate matters, even more, WC is a state law, while FMLA and ADAAA are federal laws, and there are other state civil rights laws that also impact FMLA and the ADAAA. Consider that an injury under WC may also be a “serious health condition” under FMLA. State laws may differ from federal laws by covering additional health conditions, may apply to small organizations, or may cover situations in which the federal laws have no say such as domestic abuse. As HR, we have the responsibility of sifting through these laws to ensure that we comply with each law that provides the best benefit to our employees. These laws provide entitlements to our employees which means they are not considered an optional benefit. So, even if you fail to apply the law to your employees, they can claim protection anyway. For example, if you fail to provide appropriate leave under FMLA, that does not remove the employee’s right to job-protected leave. The ultimate goal of all three laws is to assist the employee to return to work.
Financial – Costs related to absenteeism, turnover, liability based on civil rights laws, costs related to investigations.
Ensuring compliance with FMLA can be frustrating for many HR professionals who are uncomfortable with the Act. This leads to litigation. Then, adding the ADAAA legal requirements adds to the confusion which can also lead to discrimination under civil rights law. Sometimes sprinkled in with FMLA and the ADAAA is WC – the nexus among the three legal requirements, especially as it relates to leaving, medical certification, and getting the employee back to work as quickly as possible, can be daunting. This webinar will separate the three laws and examine how each law applies to work situations.
Learning Objectives
Who Should Attend
Why Should You Attend
The webinar addresses laws that HR is responsible for upholding. When the laws are not followed, it increases the liability for the organization and interferes with a fair and equitable work environment for employees. The interplay among Workers’ Comp, ADA, and FMLA is confusing to many HR professionals, this webinar will help decipher the complexities.
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