Description
The interplay of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Workers’ Compensation laws has been referred to as the “Bermuda Triangle of employment law.” It is imperative that employers recognize and understand the interplay of the ADA, FMLA and Workers’ Compensation laws. Employers have legal responsibilities to comply with these laws or face significant violations for noncompliance. Employers also have ethical and moral responsibilities to ensure employees receive the benefits and protections these laws provide.
Each of these three laws serve different purposes. The ADA prohibits discrimination. The FMLA sets minimum leave standards. Workers’ Compensation laws provide for payment of compensation and rehabilitation for workplace injuries and minimize employer liability. Legal compliance can get confusing when these regulations seemingly overlap or seem almost contradictory to implement. This is the case when the ADA, the FMLA, and Workers’ Compensation intersect. The intersecting of these three laws is complicated and open to problems if not handled correctly. Violations of these laws may result in lost wages, back pay, employee reinstatement, retroactive benefits, compensatory and punitive damages.
Participation in this 4-hour seminar will provide participants with a clear understanding of the provisions of each of these laws, how they interact with each other, how to incorporate that information into company policies, and how to communicate those policies to employees.