Mental health challenges like chronic stress, anxiety disorders, and PTSD are rising in workplaces—but when do they qualify as ADA-protected disabilities? Missteps can lead to legal risks, turnover, and productivity losses, while proactive support fosters retention and morale.

Join us to untangle the complexities of mental health under the ADA and gain actionable strategies to create a compliant, supportive workplace.

Key Session Highlights

1. Legal Foundations: What the ADA Covers (and Doesn’t)

• The “disability” threshold: When stress/anxiety become ADA-protected (e.g., substantial limitations to major life activities).
• Qualifying conditions: PTSD, panic disorders, depression, and more—with real-world examples.
• Exclusions: Everyday stress vs. clinical diagnoses.

2. Employer Obligations & Best Practices

• The interactive process: How to respond legally when an employee discloses a mental health condition.
• Reasonable accommodations: Flexible schedules, quiet spaces, and other low-cost, high-impact solutions.
• Documentation do’s and don’ts: Protecting privacy while maintaining compliance.

3. PTSD in the Workplace: A Growing Priority

• Triggers and trends: Why PTSD claims are increasing (remote work, frontline roles, societal trauma).
• Case study: How a manufacturing company accommodated an employee with PTSD after a workplace incident.

4. Avoiding Pitfalls & Building Trust

• What NOT to say: Phrases that escalate liability (e.g., “Just toughen up”).
• Manager training: Scripts to handle disclosures with empathy and professionalism.
• EEOC enforcement trends: Recent lawsuits and penalties.

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
• 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.