As workplace leave, accommodation, and disability laws continue to evolve, employers face increasing compliance risks when handling suspicious leave requests, accommodation misuse, intermittent absences, and questionable Workers’ Compensation claims. In 2026, the overlap between the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Workers’ Compensation laws, and newer protections such as the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) has created a far more complex enforcement environment for HR and management teams.

This webinar delivers a practical and legally focused approach to investigating potential abuse while maintaining compliance with federal and state employment laws. Attendees will learn how recent EEOC enforcement trends, expanded accommodation expectations, stricter retaliation standards, and evolving leave protections are reshaping employer obligations in 2026.

The session explores how employers can recognize red flags, document concerns, manage overlapping leave obligations, conduct compliant investigations, and avoid common mistakes that lead to discrimination, interference, retaliation, or accommodation claims. Special attention will be given to intermittent FMLA abuse, inconsistent medical certifications, remote-work accommodation issues, attendance policy enforcement, light-duty disputes, and the growing legal scrutiny surrounding pregnancy-related accommodations under the PWFA.

Through real-world scenarios and practical guidance, participants will gain actionable strategies to confidently manage difficult employee situations while reducing legal exposure and protecting workplace operations.

Key Topics Covered 

• The intersection of ADA, FMLA, Workers’ Compensation, and PWFA requirements
• 2026 EEOC and Department of Labor enforcement trends
• Identifying leave abuse, accommodation misuse, and suspicious claim patterns
• Managing intermittent FMLA leave and attendance-related concerns
• Legally compliant workplace investigations and documentation practices
• Medical certification challenges and fitness-for-duty evaluations
• Remote work, modified schedules, and evolving accommodation expectations
• Workers’ Compensation retaliation and return-to-work risks
• Pregnancy accommodation obligations under the PWFA
• Conducting the interactive process properly
• Avoiding discrimination, interference, and retaliation claims
• Supervisory training and policy updates for 2026 compliance

Why This Webinar Matters: 

Federal agencies continue to aggressively scrutinize employer leave and accommodation practices, particularly involving pregnancy accommodations, attendance policies, forced leave decisions, and failures in the interactive process. Employers are also facing growing complexity from state-level leave laws, pay transparency regulations, workplace privacy rules, and AI-related employment compliance developments.

Organizations that rely on outdated policies or inconsistent investigation practices may face significant legal and financial exposure. This webinar helps employers modernize their compliance approach while balancing operational needs with employee protections.

Who Should Attend? 

• HR Professionals
• Employee Relations Managers
• Payroll and Benefits Professionals
• Business Owners and Executives
• Operations and Compliance Managers
• Risk Management Professionals
• Employment Law Professionals
• Supervisors and Department Managers
• Leave Administrators
• Safety and Workers’ Compensation Professionals

This webinar is ideal for organizations seeking practical guidance on handling complex employee leave and accommodation issues in today’s rapidly changing employment law environment.