Navigating FMLA, ADA & Workers’ Compensation: Key Updates for 2026

Understanding and complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be challenging on its own. When the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and workers’ compensation are also involved, determining how these laws overlap and apply can become even more complex.

Several misconceptions surrounding the ADA, FMLA, and workers’ compensation can create confusion and increase the risk of noncompliance.

ADA

Some believe the ADA is frequently misused by employees with vague complaints or diagnoses. In reality, the ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the employer.

FMLA

Some employers assume employees must specifically request FMLA leave to be eligible, while others believe intermittent or reduced-schedule leave can be denied simply because it disrupts workplace operations. However, the FMLA provides eligible employees with job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons, including certain serious health conditions.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

Employers must also understand how Title VII’s protections against discrimination intersect with accommodation obligations involving pregnancy, disability, and religious practices. Navigating these overlapping requirements is essential to reducing legal risks and ensuring compliance.

Learn how to interpret these laws, manage overlapping obligations, and avoid common compliance pitfalls while making informed, legally sound workplace decisions.

Session Highlights:

Learn the differences between the FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation requirements

Learn how the reasonable accommodation interactive process can help navigate the ADA regulations

Learn how FMLA can overlap with the ADA

Learn how the Workers’ Compensation Insurance has its own requirements in the workplace

Learn how to provide a summary of the various types of federal, state and local employee leave and disability laws that may be in play when an employee (or their family member) requires time away for medical reasons

Learn how these laws will commonly overlap and interact

Learn the challenges faced by multi-state employers in administering disability and leave laws

Learn the highlights, common pitfalls, and misconceptions that may increase the risk of employer liability.