Depending on their size, employers must comply with two important federal laws when they are dealing with employee absenteeism. The Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended covers businesses with at least 15 employees. Under the ADA, a leave of absence may be a reasonable accommodation depending upon the circumstances. Employers with at least 50 employees must also comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for eligible employees. This webinar will cover an employer’s obligations under these laws, how the laws overlap and diverge in their application, and the different avenues available under each law by which to substantiate the need for leave. We will also cover how these laws sometimes work together to provide more leave than an employer would otherwise expect.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
Employers must be familiar with the requirements and restrictions imposed by each law so that they avoid costly mistakes. If an employer violates either law when administering employee leaves, it could result in costly litigation and attorney fees.
AREA COVERED
- Which employers are covered by FMLA and ADA?
- When an employee’s rights under FMLA and ADA begin, whether at the outset of employment or after reaching specific eligibility requirements?
- Which employees are eligible for leave under the FMLA?
- Which health conditions are considered “serious health conditions” such that an eligible employee could take protected leave under FMLA?
- Which employees are eligible for leave under the ADA?
- How an employee satisfies the definition of being a qualified individual with a disability under the ADA?
- When a leave of absence is a reasonable accommodation under the ADA?
- How the definition of disability under the ADA is different from a “serious health condition” under the FMLA?
- Which conditions could be covered by both laws?
- Which conditions would only be covered by ADA?
- Which conditions would only be covered by FMLA?
- The different methods for substantiating an employee’s need for leave under FMLA and ADA
- Certification process under FMLA
- Obtaining medical information under ADA
- What limits the courts are starting to place on indefinite leaves of absence under the ADA?
- What factors could lead to a finding that a leave of absence constitutes an undue hardship on an employer?
- Whether qualified individuals with disabilities are automatically entitled to leave under the FMLA?
- Under which circumstances the ADA may require additional leave for employees who have exhausted their 12-week entitlement under FMLA
- Potential damages for violating FMLA and/or ADA
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand the basic eligibility requirements of both ADA and FMLA
- Understand which reasons for leave and conditions are protected by ADA and by FMLA and what the distinction is between the two
- Explore which conditions may be covered only by FMLA
- Understand the difference between FMLA and ADA concerning how employers may substantiate an employee’s need for leave
- Cover the limits upon the extent of leave imposed by the federal laws and federal courts
- Discuss the potential consequences and liability for failing to comply with either law
WHO WILL BENEFIT?
- Human Resources (CHRO, Vice President, Director, Coordinator, Generalist)
- Leave administrator or coordinator
- Benefits specialist
- General manager or plant manager
- Business owner, for smaller companies
Employers must be familiar with the requirements and restrictions imposed by each law so that they avoid costly mistakes. If an employer violates either law when administering employee leaves, it could result in costly litigation and attorney fees.
- Which employers are covered by FMLA and ADA?
- When an employee’s rights under FMLA and ADA begin, whether at the outset of employment or after reaching specific eligibility requirements?
- Which employees are eligible for leave under the FMLA?
- Which health conditions are considered “serious health conditions” such that an eligible employee could take protected leave under FMLA?
- Which employees are eligible for leave under the ADA?
- How an employee satisfies the definition of being a qualified individual with a disability under the ADA?
- When a leave of absence is a reasonable accommodation under the ADA?
- How the definition of disability under the ADA is different from a “serious health condition” under the FMLA?
- Which conditions could be covered by both laws?
- Which conditions would only be covered by ADA?
- Which conditions would only be covered by FMLA?
- The different methods for substantiating an employee’s need for leave under FMLA and ADA
- Certification process under FMLA
- Obtaining medical information under ADA
- What limits the courts are starting to place on indefinite leaves of absence under the ADA?
- What factors could lead to a finding that a leave of absence constitutes an undue hardship on an employer?
- Whether qualified individuals with disabilities are automatically entitled to leave under the FMLA?
- Under which circumstances the ADA may require additional leave for employees who have exhausted their 12-week entitlement under FMLA
- Potential damages for violating FMLA and/or ADA
- Understand the basic eligibility requirements of both ADA and FMLA
- Understand which reasons for leave and conditions are protected by ADA and by FMLA and what the distinction is between the two
- Explore which conditions may be covered only by FMLA
- Understand the difference between FMLA and ADA concerning how employers may substantiate an employee’s need for leave
- Cover the limits upon the extent of leave imposed by the federal laws and federal courts
- Discuss the potential consequences and liability for failing to comply with either law
- Human Resources (CHRO, Vice President, Director, Coordinator, Generalist)
- Leave administrator or coordinator
- Benefits specialist
- General manager or plant manager
- Business owner, for smaller companies
Speaker Profile

Rebecca Jacobs is a Training Consultant and Employment Law Attorney with Rebecca Jacobs LLC. Collaborating with her clients, Rebecca develops and presents customized employee training on topics such as harassment prevention, bystander intervention, and discrimination avoidance. She also trains managers on numerous matters, including family and medical leave and disability accommodation requests.Since 2006, she has been an adjunct lecturer for the Department of Management and Human Resources at the Ohio State University's Max M. Fisher College of Business. She teaches the "Contemporary Employment Practices and the Law" class and has recently expanded her teaching to include “Contemporary Employment Practices and …
Upcoming Webinars

Female to Female Hostility @Workplace: All you Need to Know

Maximizing Productivity with ChatGPT: AI Solutions for HR, …



2-Hour Virtual Seminar on Empowering Presentations with Pow…

Pivot tables beginner to advanced + 20 advanced Pivot table…

Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) & using Chat GPT

Creating Loyal Customers Through Excellent Customer Service

Understanding and Communication New Immigration Policies (2…

Navigating Talent Management and Retention Strategies.

HIPAA is Unsettled – Safe Compliance Strategies

Project Management for Non-Project Managers - Scheduling yo…

How to Prepare For and Host a FDA Inspection and Respond to…

Empowering Conflict Resolution: Letting Go to Gain Control

Onboarding Best Practices for 2025: Proven Strategies to Po…

Navigating 2025 Employment Laws: What Every Employer Needs …


Managing Toxic Employees: Strategies For Leaders To Effecti…

How to Conduct Exit Interviews - Implementing and Enhancing…

Adapting to Change: Strategies for Personal & Team Resilien…

Introduction to Excels Built-In Solver – Advanced Decision-…

How to Manage the Legal Landmine of the FMLA, ADA and Worke…

FDA Technology Modernization Action Plan (TMAP) and Impact …

Design Control for Medical Devices Including Verification/V…

Stress, Change And Team Resilience Through Humor: An Intera…


Developing and Implementing Quality Culture in the Organiza…

GROUPBY and PIVOTBY functions. Pivot table killers?


Negotiating Skills For Professional Results - Winning Strat…

Use the power of AI to turbocharge your MS Excel


Trust in Leadership: Building and Maintaining Trust as a Le…

Conquer Toxic People - Learn To Protect Yourself And Get Yo…

Excel - Pivot Tables - The Key To Modern Data Analysis and …

AI and Human Resources: The Great Opportunity!

Tools and Tactics for Grieving, Surviving, and Thriving in …

Bootcamp for New Managers and Supervisors: Develop These Es…

How To Conduct An Internal Harassment And Bullying Investig…

How Generative AI can be used in Banking Risk and Compliance

Creating Employee Handbooks that Protect You and Support th…

Excel Power Skills: Master Functions, Formulas, and Macros …

Emotional Intelligence: Mastering the Emotions of Great Lea…

Managing Toxic & Other Employees Who Have Attitude Issues


The Five Cs Of Commercial Credit: The Basic Elements Of Cre…

SOPs - How to Write Them to Satisfy those Inspectors

Improving Employee Engagement & Retention Through Stay Inte…


How to Give Corrective Feedback: The CARE Model - Eliminati…