Episode 16 (June 16, 2020) Best practices in COVID-19 return-to-work planning Melissa K. Peters, Special Counsel at Littler Mendelson, shares key insights into the law firm’s recent COVID-19 Return-to-Work Survey of 1,000 employers across the U.S. She discusses best practices and key strategies for employers to keep in mind as they build and implement a return-to-work plan. Top takeaways The CDC has been the default guidance throughout this time, but businesses should also carefully follow and a...
Jun 16, 2020•10 min•Season 1Ep. 16
We have pivoted our program, this week, to address the situation unfolding in the U.S. right nowand the social injustices that have been part of our society for centuries. This is a traumatic time for people of color in the workplace, and it requires all of us to engage. How can we lead by example in inclusion and diversity? What courageous conversations can we or should we be having? Top takeaways The three Es of inclusion are: 1) Equitable: Be fair, 2) Engaging: Be inviting, and 3) Exemplary: ...
Jun 04, 2020•18 min•Season 1Ep. 15
What can HR organizations do to help employees with their emotional well-being? In Part 2 of our conversation, two wellness experts — Dr. Kristen Lee, Ed.D., LICSW, an award-winning behavioral science professor, clinician and author, and Unum’s Laurie Mitchell —discuss how organizations can help inspire a culture of resilience. Top takeaways Have you listened to Part 1 yet? Listen here . Before the coronavirus pandemic, there were many concerning indicators around mental health globally. [02:21]...
May 26, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Dr. Kristen Lee, Ed.D., LICSW, is an award-winning behavioral science professor, clinician and author. To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month, we bring together Dr. Lee and Unum’s Laurie Mitchell for a two-part discussion about mental well-being and resilience. Key takeaways The World Health Organization has classified “burnout” not just as a mental health issue but as a workplace condition. The uncertainty of the current pandemic is making burnout even more of a risk. [02:17] In resilie...
May 19, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Jeff Nowak is one of the leading employment attorneys in the United States and the author of the highly regarded FMLA Insights blog. He joins Unum’s Ellen McCann to walk employers through key considerations for maximizing health and safety when building a return-to-work strategy. We discuss everything from creating a health assessment, to flexibility, masks, and the importance of building a robust communication plan. Key takeaways Health assessments are a non-invasive way of having a conversatio...
May 12, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Legal experts Ellen McCann and Daris Freeman break down state and municipal considerations when planning return-to-work amid the COVID-19 crisis. Many states are in the process of opening up for non-essential work and have issued some strict guidelines around how employers should go about bringing employees back. Certain cities and counties also have their own requirements. Be sure to do your homework – and check out the resources we link to below. Key takeaways Make sure you’re up to date with ...
May 05, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 11
As many U.S organizations plan for the return of employees to worksites, legal experts Ellen McCann and Tamika Newson weigh in on various legal considerations. We review recent statistics from a Unum survey that shows how employers are facing this issue, with a third of employers saying they do not yet have a plan in place. We then dive into regulatory considerations, practical questions and contingency planning. Key takeaways As recently as April 23, the EEOC shared guidance stating that employ...
Apr 28, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Investment expert Carl Gagnon discusses how HR teams can discuss financial wellbeing with employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. As AVP of Financial Wellbeing and Retirement Programs at Unum and a thought leader who regularly speaks at industry conferences, Carl brings a calm perspective and decades of expertise. He reminds us of the big picture vision and explains how employers can talk to employees about the resources available to them, such as a 401K provider or their own benefits portal. Ke...
Apr 22, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 9
National legal experts Tamika Newson and Ellen McCann discuss recent guidance from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on how the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) impacts employers in the COVID-19 environment. Early on, the EEOC declared COVID-19 as a “direct threat” to the workplace. This means if an employee with COVID-19 presents themselves in the workplace, employers have an opportunity under the ADA to ask specific questions about their symptoms, direct them to not ...
Apr 21, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Laurie Mitchell is a national thought leader on well-being and health management. She discusses how Unum’s HR organization is helping to foster employee well-being during the coronavirus pandemic. We also cover resources organizations can tap into to support their workforce and how leadership can communicate in humanizing ways. Key takeaways The foundation for emotional and physical resilience is self-care. Be intentional and deliberate around building your own wellness: from your diet and regul...
Apr 14, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 7
National leave expert Ellen McCann takes us on a deep dive into the latest guidance around Emergency Paid Sick Leave. The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) is one of two key components in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). It applies to organizations with fewer than 500 employees and public agencies. Key takeaways The measurement period for determining number of employees is as of the date the employee is going to be using the paid sick leave. [02:40] An employee is entitle...
Apr 09, 2020•20 min•Season 1Ep. 6
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt life and businesses in the U.S., we explore two key federal resources for organizations with fewer than 500 employees. Ellen McCann offers recent legislative updates to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Laura Kilmartin then unpacks the Paycheck Protection Program, a Small Business Administration (SBA) lending program designed to encourage businesses to keep their employees on the payroll. Key takeaways The Department of Labor has o...
Apr 07, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Ellen McCann walks through the latest guidance from the Department of Labor on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Followinglast week’s episode, [MC1] which set the groundwork for the law, today we discuss new details such as how to count your number of employees and how the law applies if your business is closed or your employees are being furloughed. Top takeaways: How do you know if you have 500 employees? The employer threshold count is measured as of the date the employee u...
Mar 31, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our upcoming episodes will be offering updates on the fast-changing legislation around leave management. In this episode, Ellen McCann explains the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (FFCRA), which was passed by the U.S. Senate. She unpacks the two key components of the law: Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency FMLA. Top takeaways The law only applies to employers with fewer than 500 employees. This is different from the traditional FMLA threshold ...
Mar 24, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Top FMLA mistakes: “Deeming” when you shouldn’t In this episode, Ellen McCann explains how employers often incorrectly deem eligibility for the Family Medical Leave Act in two major ways. She offers best practices and advice on what to do if you’re unable to deem employees eligible for FMLA. Top takeaways: It’s important you understand why you cannot deem an employee eligible for FMLA if they are not eligible [01:34] Employers tend to violate this rule in two major ways: 1) Deeming an employee e...
Mar 03, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Top FMLA mistakes: Misunderstanding eligibility Ellen McCann, a national expert on leave management joins us to give an overview to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). She unpacks the most common eligibility errors that employers make while administering the FMLA – and why correctly determining eligibility is such a crucial first step. Top takeaways: Be sure to take all required factors into account when determining whether an employee is eligible for FMLA leave. It’s your crucial first step in...
Feb 25, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 1
