After experiencing the accommodations process, Kelly Woodbridge, M.Ed., ADAC, CLMS, was inspired to create a more transparent and accessible process that encourages employees to tap into benefits that support their ongoing success. Her efforts have streamlined the leave management process at Lehigh University, which is (in part) why two of her colleagues nominated her for the 2025 DMEC Emerging Leader Award. Woodbridge is the first accommodation specialist at Lehigh and her caseload has tripled in the two-plus years she has worked for the university. Listen in to hear how her investments in training and education and her passion for supporting employees in need are improving the culture as well as the employee experience.

Additional resources:

• Intersectionality: A Valuable Tool to Normalize Disability in the Workplace
• Learn more about DMEC
• Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist
• Join the DMEC community
• FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers

Mentioned in this episode:

Are Leave Management Specialists Asking the Right Questions?

Increase Your Professional Value. Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist Today: https://dmec.org/certification-and-training/clms-certification/

DMEC

Hear how answering three questions can help you lead a more purpose-driven and fully activated life from Sebastian (Seb) Terry, the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference speaker. Listen in for a fresh take on how people can gain more control over change by pausing long enough to consider their role in it and their ability to influence outcomes.

And join us for the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. Aug. 4-7 to hear more from Seb, and to capitalize on the unique opportunity to focus on the intricacies of leave management with hundreds of your peers. You'll find solutions to everyday challenges and gain the support and guidance you need for future success.

Register today: https://dmec.org/annual-conference/

What are employers missing with state disability accommodation laws? Listen in to our guests from Reliance Matrix, who add context to a recent article in @Work magazine titled “Dangers Lurk in State Discrimination Laws,” which we have unlocked for listeners. Hear Lana Steven, AVP and Senior Product Compliance Counsel, Eric Broutman, AVP & Sr. Employment Law and Litigation Counsel, and Armando Rodriguez. Esq., Product Compliance Counsel, talk about ways employers can ensure they comply with state disability accommodation laws that are, in some instances, more generous that federal laws! 

Resources

• Dangers Lurk in State Discrimination Laws
• FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
• 2025 DMEC Annual Conference
• Accommodation resources & tools

Neurodiversity is like biodiversity — there is a natural variation between the ways the human brain functions and there is no one right way of thinking, learning, or behaving, explains Lizzie Somerfield, LLM, MSC, New Deal for Neurodiversity, in this podcast episode with Seth Turner, founder, senior advisor, AbsenceSoft.

Listen in to hear our guests talk about small adjustments that can be made to workplaces to ensure they are neuroinclusive, and how that can benefit all employees. Hear insights and practical guidance from Somerfield and Turner, who encourage employers to ask questions and engage openly in discussions to create psychological safety for neurodiverse individuals, who may represent one in four of your team members.

Resources:

• DMEC
• New Deal for Neurodiversity
• AbsenceSoft
• FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
• Learn more about neurodiversity during the 2025 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference on June 4 lunch-and-learn discussion titled, "From Compliance to Culture: What Every HR Leader Should Know About Neurodiversity" with leaders from ThynkStack.
• Join us for several educational sessions focused on neurodiversity during the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference Aug. 4-7 in Washington, D.C.

We encourage DMEC members to listen in and share their takeaways and insights from this episode on the DMECommunities Mental Health group. This members-only, online discussion platform enables members to post questions and share solutions!

Mentioned in this episode:

Are Leave Management Specialists Asking the Right Questions?

Increase Your Professional Value. Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist Today: https://dmec.org/certification-and-training/clms-certification/

DMEC

Why is "in loco parentis" a renewed topic of interest for leave management professionals? Has the atmosphere surrounding AI shifted? And what is it about psychedelic treatments that has employers seeking context? Listen in for "lightbulb moments" during the 2025 DMEC Compliance Conference from DMEC subject matter experts Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP, Director of Education Programs, and Jess Dudley, CLMS, CPDM, Senior Education Manager.

Join us June 4 for the 2025 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference, which features several of the sessions discussed in this episode!

A note to listeners: This version of the podcast, which is only available to DMEC members, includes extra questions and answers from our guests. Click the link below to learn more about joining the DMEC community! 

Resources:

• Join DMEC to get the support you need to ensure employer compliance!
• How Can Employers Prepare for Psychedelics?
• What Role Should Health Equity Have in Benefit Discussions?
• Register for the 2025 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference on June 4!
• Plan ahead and register for the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference Aug. 4-7 in Washington, D.C.
• Increase Your Professional Value: Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist

Mentioned in this episode:

Are Leave Management Specialists Asking the Right Questions?

Increase Your Professional Value. Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist Today: https://dmec.org/certification-and-training/clms-certification/

DMEC

Why is "in loco parentis" a renewed topic of interest for leave management professionals? Has the atmosphere surrounding AI shifted? And what is it about psychedelic treatments that has employers seeking context? Listen in for "lightbulb moments" during the 2025 DMEC Compliance Conference from DMEC subject matter experts Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP, Director of Education Programs, and Jess Dudley, CLMS, CPDM, Senior Education Manager.

Join us June 4 for the 2025 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference, which features several of the sessions discussed in this episode!

Note to listeners: There is a member-exclusive version of this podcast, which includes extra questions and answers from our guests. If you are a DMEC member, click here for access. If you're not yet a member, click the link below to learn more about joining the DMEC community! 

Resources:

• Join DMEC to get the support you need to ensure employer compliance!
• How Can Employers Prepare for Psychedelics?
• What Role Should Health Equity Have in Benefit Discussions?
• Register for the 2025 DMEC Virtual Compliance Conference on June 4!
• Plan ahead and register for the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference Aug. 4-7 in Washington, D.C.
• Increase Your Professional Value: Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist

Mentioned in this episode:

Are Leave Management Specialists Asking the Right Questions?

Increase Your Professional Value. Become a Certified Leave Management Specialist Today: https://dmec.org/certification-and-training/clms-certification/

DMEC

How do structured policies and processes enable employers to treat employees consistently as individuals, reduce liability risks, and improve the employee experience? Listen in for guidance and context from Ryan Bruce, MEd, CRC, SPHR, CLMS, Director of Client Solutions for New York Life Group Benefit Solutions, and Kristin Jones, CLMS, PHR, SHRM-CP, Director of DMEC Education Programs. 

Resources:

• Get more details in the article by Bruce titled The Benefits to a Strong Return-to-Work Policy in @Work magazine, which we have unlocked for listeners.
• Register for the DMEC Building a Return-to-Work Program Microcredential Course to ensure your team is on the the right track.
• Join DMEC to get the support you need to ensure employer compliance!

Amid a sea change in policies and practices, how do employers design the types of plans and policies that ensure employees feel safe and supported? Listen in to this episode for guidance and tips from Ali Schaafsma, director of absence consulting for Brown & Brown Strategic Non-Medical Solutions; and Melanie Payton, CLMS, assistant vice president of Absence Consulting and Audit Practice for Brown & Brown Strategic Non-Medical Solutions.

Resources:

• The Business Case for Inclusive Leave Programs in DMEC @Work magazine
• DMEC AbsenceNavigator™ leave planning tool

Hear more from Ali Schaafsma during the 2025 DMEC Annual Conference Aug. 3-7 in Washington, D.C. Register today!

More employers recognize the value of redesigning benefit plans and policies so they support employees during different life cycles but how do they ensure these benefits are more than just words on a page? Listen in to Bryon E. Bass, CLMS, CEO, DMEC, share insights and suggestions.

This version of the episode includes a member-exclusive Q&A with Bass, who shares insights on how employers know whether they're doing enough or perhaps too much when it comes to designing employee benefit plans and designs.

Resources referenced during this episode:

• FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
• DMEC AbsenceExemplar® Benchmarking tool
• 2025 DMEC Compliance Conference April 14-17 in Columbus, Ohio
• State and Local Leave Law Map
• Coming in Hot — A Business Case for Menopause Support in the
• Workplace: Webinar recording
• What's the Business Case for Paid Company Leave
• To Position Your Benefit Plans Competitively, Start with These Three Questions

While more employers recognize the value of redesigning benefit plans and policies to support employees during all life cycles, how do they ensure these benefits are more than just words on a page? Listen in to this episode with Bryon E. Bass, CLMS, CEO, DMEC, who shares insights and suggestions.

DMEC members have access to an exclusive Q&A with Bass on this topic of supportive leaves, and received a unique link to access the episode!

Learn more about DMEC membership to join this supportive community of leave management professionals: https://dmec.org/membership/benefits-of-membership/

Resources referenced during this episode:

• FMLA/ADA Training for Supervisors and Managers
• DMEC AbsenceExemplar® Benchmarking tool
• 2025 DMEC Compliance Conference April 14-17 in Columbus, Ohio
• State and Local Leave Law Map
• Coming in Hot — A Business Case for Menopause Support in the
• Workplace: Webinar recording
• What's the Business Case for Paid Company Leave
• To Position Your Benefit Plans Competitively, Start with These Three Questions