5 leave management resources every employer should know about

As an employer, staying up to date with the latest leave regulations is more important than ever. Not only does compliance ensure that you avoid legal trouble, it helps maintain positive relationships with employees throughout the leave process. However, leave laws vary from state to state and are updated frequently, making it challenging to find reliable and current information. We reached out to our clients and other experts in the field of leave administration to craft this list of five resources that you can count on for accurate information to help you with employee leave compliance:

The U.S. Department of Labor

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can be a complex law to navigate, and errors in compliance can lead to significant costs. To help employers better understand the law, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division provides a comprehensive resource on the FMLA. This page offers fact sheets on all aspects of the law, including resources for employers such as printable posters and interactive tools. In addition, the page includes model versions of forms that employers can use in their own leave process. The information on this page is updated regularly to ensure that employers have the latest news on FMLA compliance.

SHRM

If you have questions about applying FMLA regulations, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is a valuable resource to consult. As the leading professional membership association for human resources, SHRM offers a wealth of information and subject matter expertise on employment law and compliance, including a comprehensive section on the FMLA. Employers can access up-to-date information and find answers to specific questions on SHRM’s FMLA page, which also offers toolkits on how to manage leave effectively. However, a SHRM membership is required to access these materials.

XpertHR

XpertHR offers a helpful resource for companies and HR professionals struggling to keep up with state and municipal leave laws in this era of remote work. With team members dispersed across multiple states, deciphering the unique and often conflicting regulations can be challenging. This XpertHR page presents a clear chart that outlines the different types of leave laws applicable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and various counties and municipalities. The chart covers over a dozen categories of leave, including family and medical leave, jury duty, school activities, voting, and more. While the chart is designed for quick reference, it also provides links to more detailed information about many of the laws’ finer points.

Job Accommodation Network

If your organization needs guidance on providing reasonable workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy is an invaluable resource. JAN provides practical advice on resolving common issues related to accommodations and is the primary hub for the latest research and data on disability employment. Employers can turn to JAN for answers to questions about when they must offer accommodations and how to provide them effectively.

DMEC

The Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) is a non-profit organization that strives to promote and advance disability management practices and strategies in the workplace. DMEC offers education, resources, and networking opportunities to professionals responsible for managing disability, absence, and productivity issues within their organizations. Since its founding in 1992, DMEC has grown into a leading organization in disability management, with over 3,300 members, including employers, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and other professionals involved in disability management.

DMEC provides its members with a wide range of resources and services, including conferences, webinars, publications, and online resources. In addition, the organization conducts research on disability management trends and best practices and offers training and certification programs for disability management professionals. By providing these resources and services, DMEC helps its members stay current on the latest disability management practices and strategies.