Workplace Mental Health and Legal Risk

Free to Wellness Alliance members

As mental health support programs grow in the workplace, so do the legal complexities facing employers and wellness professionals. This session explores how to design and deliver mental health initiatives that respect employee rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) while avoiding unintended liability. Participants will gain practical tools to identify legal risk, structure compliant programs, and navigate the grey areas between wellness and health care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the key legal frameworks that govern workplace mental health initiatives, including ADA, FMLA, and related state laws.
2. Distinguish between compliant wellness practices and activities that may trigger legal obligations or regulatory oversight, such as mindfulness training and stress reporting.
3. Apply risk mitigation strategies to maintain program legality, protect employee data, and train supervisors on handling mental health disclosures responsibly.

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  Barbara Zabawa, J.D., M.P.H.

  Attorney/Owner

  Center of Health & Wellness Law, LLC