Certificate in Absence Management Cohort
Each Thursday at 1:00 p.m. ET
February 4-March 18, 2027
The Certificate in Absence Management Online Cohort blends on-demand courses with weekly, instructor-led cohort sessions to reinforce learning and deepen understanding. Through the online coursework, you’ll explore strategic approaches to managing employee absence, analyze the causes and business impacts of absenteeism and presenteeism, and learn how to design effective leave programs while maintaining compliance with the FMLA and ADA.
As you progress through the courses, you’ll also have the opportunity to participate in interactive cohort sessions that expand on key concepts, answer questions, and encourage peer discussion—helping you confidently apply what you’ve learned. Cohort sessions are held Thursdays from February 4–March 18 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Join this dynamic learning experience that combines flexibility, expertise, and collaboration.
For employers in any industry, the direct and indirect costs associated with employee absences can be staggering. This online certificate includes five required courses that will outline various strategic approaches to managing employee absence. Analyze the various reasons employees miss work, as well as how absenteeism and presenteeism affect organizational productivity. Then learn how to design a comprehensive leave program for employees while maintaining compliance the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This certificate includes five required courses.
Required courses:
- Managing Absence and Productivity Issues
- Leave Program Design and Administration
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Overview of Disability Plans.
No Course Extensions: This course is available for 180 days from the date of purchase. No course extensions will be granted and the course will need to be repurchased if it expires.
Cohort Agenda
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
This session covers a brief introduction of the instructors, instructional designers, and participants that will be going through this cohort experience. During this time, there will also be a review of key details for participants about the eLearning certificate including expectations, requirements, and available resources in the cohort classroom environment.
Available Virtually
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
This session will introduce paid leave mandates imposed by states and local jurisdictions, including sick and safe leave and paid time off. The focus will be on common design features of these mandates and identifying considerations and potential challenges they can create for employer leave programs.
Available Virtually
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Employee absences create ripple effects that extend well beyond missed workdays. Participants will learn how to identify, measure, and quantify absence-related costs within their organizations. This session also introduces effective absence management strategies to mitigate risk, control costs, and support workforce sustainability.
Available Virtually
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
The purpose of this session is to provide information about the concerns employers have regarding workplace productivity and managing employee absences. This session will present the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and various state leave laws, especially as more states are enacting paid family and medical leave legislation.
Available Virtually
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Building on foundational ADA knowledge, this session dives into the complexities of the interactive process and the critical intersections of leave and disability benefits. Participants will explore recent trends, including mental health accommodations, return to work mandates, and digital accessibility, while learning practitioner-led strategies for managing "undue hardship" and ensuring defensible documentation in a high-risk landscape.
Available Virtually
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
This session will introduce state paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs and state statutory disability mandates. The focus will be on common design features of PFML programs and exploring strategies for employer compliance. Additionally, discussion will focus on identifying considerations and potential challenges these state programs can create for employer leave programs.
Available Virtually
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
As the cohort concludes, participants will reflect on key takeaways, celebrate their accomplishments, and discuss next steps for applying what they have learned. The session will include a review of eLearning course expectations, completion requirements, and available resources to support participants through the remainder of the certificate program. Participants will also engage in a panel-style Q&A with instructors, offering the chance to ask questions, gain additional perspectives, and explore topics in greater depth.
Available Virtually
Benefits of Attending
After successfully earning your Certificate in Absence Management, you will be able to:
- Explain the direct and indirect costs associated with employee absences
- Identify how various job-protected and/or paid leave programs influence whether or not an employee will come to work when ill, injured, or distracted
- Describe the different types of leave programs and plans that employers can offer and how they may intersect
- Explain the compliance requirements set forth in the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other federal laws
- Describe how short-term and long-term disability plans may be designed, funded, and administered.
Who Should Enroll
The Certificate in Absence Management is best suited for:
- Benefits and human resources professionals
- Leave program administrators
- Professional service providers, including TPAs, consultants and attorneys, new to the employee benefits industry
- Experienced benefits professionals that are new to administering leave programs.
Pricing
US$819.00
Member
US$1,197.00
Nonmember
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Learn MoreContinuing Education
Upon successfully passing the exam for each online course in the Certificate in Absence Management, you may be able to earn CEBS Compliance or CE credit to maintain an HR designation or insurance license. Please reach out to our CE Department at (262) 786-6710, Option 2, or email [email protected] before you take a course exam for more information. CE credit is not available for attendance at the instructor-led cohort sessions.