FMLA, ADA & Workers' Comp: Master compliance, leave, and time-off challenge

How to Manage the Legal Landmine of the FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation in the Workplace

Course Description
Navigating and ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can already be a complex challenge. When the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or Workers’ Compensation enter the equation, understanding how these laws interact becomes even more critical. Misconceptions about these regulations can lead to compliance pitfalls, penalties, and lawsuits.

This comprehensive course will clarify key differences and intersections between ADA, FMLA, and Workers’ Compensation, helping you avoid costly mistakes. You’ll learn how to interpret each regulation correctly, understand overlapping legal obligations, and implement effective policies to stay compliant.

Key Learning Areas:

• Understand the core differences between FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation requirements
• Master the interactive process for reasonable accommodation under the ADA
• Learn how FMLA can overlap with ADA provisions
• Understand the independent requirements of Workers’ Compensation insurance
• Review federal, state, and local leave laws that may affect your organization
• Explore how these laws interact in multi-state operations
• Identify common pitfalls, misconceptions, and compliance challenges that increase employer liability

Why You Should Attend:
Violating federal employment laws can lead to severe fines, penalties, and even criminal sanctions. This training provides the tools, insights, and risk management strategies you need to confidently navigate the FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation intersection—ensuring compliance and protecting your business.

Who Should Attend:
Employers, business owners, HR professionals, compliance officers, supervisors, and company leaders across all industries who manage employee leave and workplace accommodations.

Meet the Presenter: Margie Faulk, PHR, SHRM-CP
Margie Faulk is a senior-level HR compliance advisor with over 18 years of experience supporting businesses of all sizes in minimizing risk and ensuring compliance with employment regulations. She holds certifications from HRCI and SHRM, is a SHRM Credit Provider, and is an expert in risk management strategies that protect organizations from potential violations.

Leaves of Absence: When FMLA Is Not Enough

Course Overview
Properly administering FMLA leave requires detailed attention and coordination with other employment laws and internal company benefits. This session explores how FMLA interacts with ADA, Workers’ Compensation, short- and long-term disability (STD/LTD), and wage and hour laws, helping you manage complex leave cases with confidence.

Key Takeaways:

• Identify when a leave request qualifies under FMLA or overlaps with other laws
• Ensure wage and hour compliance during FMLA leave
• Minimize the risk of FMLA retaliation claims
• Manage FMLA leave in conjunction with company policies and paid benefits
• Understand how to evaluate FMLA leave requests with multiple overlapping laws

Speaker:
Lauren Sobaski, a seasoned employment attorney with over 15 years of HR experience and a master’s in industrial-organizational psychology. Lauren specializes in employment litigation, workplace investigations, leave law compliance, and management training. She is certified as SPHR and SHRM-SCP, combining legal expertise with real-world HR insight.

FMLA Time-Off Management

Description
Managing employee leaves of absence can be one of the most complex challenges for HR professionals. This session dives deep into FMLA compliance, exploring what happens when FMLA is exhausted and how other entitlements—like ADA accommodations or company leave policies—may apply. You’ll also learn how to identify and prevent potential FMLA abuse while maintaining compliance across multiple laws.

Learning Objectives:

• Refresh your understanding of FMLA regulations
• Learn what to do once FMLA leave is exhausted
• Discover additional employee entitlements post-FMLA
• Ensure compliance when multiple leave laws overlap
• Understand when termination is legally permissible after FMLA
• Recognize and manage potential FMLA misuse

Who Should Attend:
Designed for HR professionals, compliance officers, managers, supervisors, and anyone responsible for workforce leave administration.

Speaker Profile:
Susan Fahey Desmond, Partner at McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC, has over 35 years of experience representing management in labor and employment law. A highly regarded speaker and author, she is recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA for her excellence in employment law and workplace compliance.