Managing employee leaves of absence can be a challenge for the hr professional. First, there are overlapping employment and benefits compliance issues – the FMLA, ADA, GINA, State Worker's Compensation laws, ERISA, COBRA and now, health care reform. Second, business operations must continue in spite of the employee's absence. And last, but not least, leave practices can send an important message to employees about company culture and their value to the organization. In this session we will examine key factors for developing leaves of absence processes that comply with the law, minimize business interruptions, and support a positive company culture while deterring absence abuse.
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Penny C. Wofford
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Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
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Penny Wofford is a South Carolina Supreme Court Certified Specialist in Employment and Labor Law. She concentrates her practice in the area of employment litigation and employee benefits. She advises and defends employers, employer sponsored plans, and plan fiduciaries against all types of claims under ERISA and employment discrimination laws. Penny not only provides proactive counseling and legal advice to employers and management regarding human resources issues but also assists employers with the design, drafting, and administration of welfare benefit plans. Penny is a frequent speaker on employee benefits and employee leave topics and regularly provides company and supervisor training on employment discrimination, documentation and confidentiality.