Leave Done Right: Balancing Compliance, Benefits, and Employee Experience
March 25, 2026 1:00 PM ET
How your organization handles leave is more than an administrative process — it’s a defining moment in the employee journey.
Whether an employee is navigating illness, caregiving, burnout, or new parenthood, leave is a moment of vulnerability. When managed well, it strengthens trust, deepens loyalty, and reinforces your employer brand. When handled poorly, disengagement often begins long before an employee exits.
At the same time, HR leaders are facing growing complexity: state-mandated paid-leave requirements, evolving health care eligibility rules, multistate compliance challenges, and shifting paid-time-off (PTO) structures.
This webinar brings both sides together — experience and execution. We’ll explore practical strategies for managing paid leave and health benefits across jurisdictions while designing a leave experience that is compliant, structured, and human-centered.
You’ll learn:
How to navigate state-specific paid-leave requirements without increasing compliance risk.
Practical approaches to PTO structures, accruals, and documentation.
Considerations for managing health insurance eligibility across employee types.
Ways to integrate empathy and clarity into manager conversations and return-to-work transitions.
Leave isn’t just a policy. It’s a moment that shapes trust — and HR’s leadership.
SHRM Knowledge Advisors will join the live webinar to answer your questions in real time—right in the chat. If we don’t get to your question during the session? No problem, SHRM members can head to SHRM Connect after this webinar to keep the conversation going with advisors for 30 extra minutes. This benefit is only for members who join the live webinar and not included later on demand.
Meet the Presenters
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James Reid
James Reid is a labor and employment attorney who counsels business owners, entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, in-house counsel, and human resources directors to make strategic business decisions, from hiring to firing, while complying with the ever changing and overlapping laws, including the ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, NLRA, and Title VII. He brings a business focused and proactive approach to legal matters to help employers make strategic business decisions to minimize the potential for litigation and business disruption.
His deep understanding of his clients' businesses enables him to deliver clear and concise counsel to meet each client's specific needs. If litigation is involved, he enforces restrictive covenants and defends employers against charges filed with the EEOC, state, and federal agencies.
James regularly conducts audits and investigations into employers' wage and hour practices and claims of discrimination and harassment. He provides training and prepares employment documents, including employee handbooks, employment agreements, and separation agreements, to cover all aspects during the life cycle of an employee.
James is also a sought after keynote and national speaker at conferences and events, including the PayrollOrg, SHRM, Tedx, Community Bankers of Michigan, iSIGMA, HRUnite!, HR Conference Cruise and HR Day.
Justin holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan, as well as a master’s degree in economics and bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics from Boston University.
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Kim McNeil
Kim McNeil is a SHRM-SCP certified professional with decades of experience. This experience includes expertise in benefits and compensation, international HR, mergers and acquisitions, employee relations, performance management, talent acquisition, federal contracts, and compliance. She has worked in a variety of industries including nonprofits and high tech. What she loves most about being a Knowledge Advisor is connecting with members and helping them find solutions to their challenges. Kim has a Bachelor of Arts in World Politics from The Catholic University of America. Kim resides in Virginia with her family.
Before joining SHRM, Anne built a distinguished career as a News Anchor and Senior Multimedia Journalist in New York and Virginia. Her journalism career is marked by her ability to tell powerful stories that resonate with audiences on a national scale and champion marginalized voices through multimedia production.
Her award-winning journalism has earned her accolades from the Associated Press and the Syracuse Press Club. Among her notable achievements, Anne's reporting on a historic WWII All-Women’s Army Corps Unit has helped bring deserved recognition to these trailblazing women, leading to their forthcoming U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. Additionally, her compelling coverage on the use of psychedelics to combat veteran suicides has brought much-needed attention to mental health issues affecting veterans.
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Anita Grantham
Anita Grantham is a nationally recognized human capital strategist, celebrated for creating award-winning workplace cultures that drive performance and innovation. She has built high-performing environments at fast-growing tech firms like Pluralsight, BambooHR and Infusionsoft (Keap), earning recognition from Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For and Great Place to Work. Anita has scaled fast-growth companies from hundreds to thousands of employees across multiple geographies, contributing to successful exits including IPOs, private equity, and venture deals.
As an executive-in-residence, she collaborates with organizations to define mission, vision, and values, align strategies, and foster high-performing cultures. Anita advises boards, CEOs, and management teams, drawing on her deep expertise. As an investor and advisor with High Alpha, she guides purpose-driven startups, focusing on talent and scalable growth. A sought-after speaker, she shares insights on leadership and culture globally. Anita volunteers as a Barista for MyParent Cafe’s ADHD/Dyslexia Village, empowering parents. Her purpose-driven leadership drives transformative impact across industries and communities.
SHRM certification has approved this webinar for 1 PDC toward SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. A program code will be provided at the end of the webinar.