The intersection of ADA, FMLA, and Workers’ Compensation creates one of the most legally complex and risky areas of workforce compliance. Missteps can trigger six-figure lawsuits, regulatory penalties, and damaged employee relations.

This course will provide practical strategies to confidently manage overlapping leave and accommodation scenarios while avoiding costly mistakes. You’ll gain clarity on when and how these laws apply, learn from real-world court cases, and leave with actionable tools to strengthen your policies and documentation.

Key Session Highlights:

1. The Compliance Trifecta: How ADA, FMLA & WC Interact (and Collide)

• Legal framework: Key definitions, eligibility, and employer obligations under each law.
• Overlap hot spots: When an injury or illness triggers both WC and FMLA, or when ADA accommodations conflict with "light duty" restrictions.
• Recent court rulings: How judges are interpreting these conflicts (and what it means for your policies).

2. Step-by-Step Guidance for High-Risk Scenarios

• Workplace injuries requiring extended leave: Navigating WC wage replacement + FMLA job protection.
• Chronic conditions: When ADA accommodations extend beyond FMLA’s 12 weeks.
• "Light duty" disputes: Can you require it? What if the employee refuses?
• Return-to-work certifications: Avoiding pitfalls in medical documentation.

3. Bulletproof Documentation & Policy Best Practices

• Critical paperwork: What to collect (and what to avoid) for airtight compliance.
• Sample policy language: Handbook clauses that protect your organization.
• Manager training tips: How to prevent well-intentioned mistakes that lead to lawsuits.

4. Real-World Case Studies & Q&A

• Case Study 1: Employee with a back injury (WC claim) who later requests ADA telework.
• Case Study 2: Chronic anxiety + FMLA exhaustion – what accommodations are required?
• Audit your practices: Interactive self-assessment to uncover compliance gaps.

Why This Training Matters Now:

With 2024 seeing:

• 42% increase in ADA accommodation requests (EEOC data)
• New state-level expansions of paid leave laws
• Stricter OSHA reporting requirements affecting WC claims

Credits and Other information:

• Session Duration: 90 Minutes
  • Case Studies and Live Q&A session with speaker
  • PowerPoint presentation for reference
• Session learning level: Introductory
• Delivery method: Group Internet Based
• IRS Credits: 1.5
• HRCI Credits: 1.5
• SHRM Credits: 1.5

Who Should Attend:

• HR Directors & Managers
• HR professionals
• Benefits administrators
• Compliance officers
• In-house counsel
• Operations managers

Coder Archives is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

Speaker Profile

Wendy Sellers, MHR, MHA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR has 25 years of experience in HR, change management, operations, strategy, corporate culture, and leadership development in all size businesses (local startup to global enterprise) in a wide variety of industries including healthcare, professional services, higher education, federal contractors, manufacturing, construction, engineering, public safety, non-profit and government agencies (to name a few).

When Wendy says “Suck It Up, Buttercup”, this means you are about to hear all the facts, proposed solutions, and possible consequences of your actions or inaction. Yes, this information may be painful to hear but in order to do the right thing we must look at every angle together. There is never a hidden agenda. Her focus is your bottom line.