Chronic Diseases in the Workplace: Best Practices and Tips for HR

Medical conditions and employee leave requests are among the most complex compliance challenges facing HR professionals and managers. Chronic diseases, in particular, raise difficult legal and operational questions. While many of these conditions can be serious or long-term, a significant number of employees continue to work while undergoing treatment or managing symptoms.

Data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) indicates that more than one million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year, with approximately 40% of those individuals being of working age. Millions more live with other chronic conditions or have a history of such illnesses. Despite this prevalence, many employers remain uncertain about their legal obligations and the risks when managing employees with chronic diseases.

Understanding which laws apply, and how to comply with them, is essential to minimizing liability and supporting employees effectively. This webinar provides practical guidance on navigating the legal landscape surrounding chronic medical conditions in the workplace, including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).

In this live or recorded webinar, you will learn:

• How to determine whether a chronic condition qualifies as a disability under the ADA
• The role of state disability discrimination laws and how they may expand employer obligations
• How to identify and respond to requests for reasonable accommodation
• When the interactive process is required and how to engage in it properly
• Common types of reasonable accommodations for employees with chronic conditions
• Whether chronic diseases meet the definition of a “serious health condition” under the FMLA
• Employee rights and employer responsibilities under the FMLA
• Practical strategies to avoid common legal pitfalls
• What constitutes “genetic information” under GINA
• Employer obligations when genetic information or testing is disclosed
• Key takeaways from recent cases involving ADA, FMLA, and GINA compliance

This program is designed to help employers reduce legal risk, ensure compliance, and foster a workplace that appropriately supports employees managing chronic health conditions.