2026 ACSA Personnel Institute

Between chronic absenteeism, expanding leave laws, staffing shortages, substitute vacancies, and evolving employee expectations, Human Resources professionals are asking themselves a very real question: does anyone actually come to work anymore? This engaging and relatable session takes a practical—and honest—look at the growing complexities of employee leave administration in public education. Participants will explore the ever-changing maze of FMLA, CFRA, pregnancy disability and parental leave, workers’ compensation, paid sick leave, catastrophic leave, and negotiated leave provisions, as well as the increasingly blurred lines between contractual rights, legal obligations, and operational realities. Through real-world scenarios, interactive discussion, and shared “you can’t make this up” moments, attendees will unpack common leave challenges and staffing impacts facing districts today.

Navigating employee leaves can be complex—especially in the education sector, where multiple leave entitlements intersect. This session will provide HR professionals with a clear overview of the most commonly used types of leave—sick, industrial accident, differential or extended, bereavement, association business-- and recent changes in the law related to these leaves. Participants will gain practical strategies for documenting leave accurately and ensuring compliance with federal and state laws. Attendees will leave with actionable tips and tools to support effective leave administration and sound decision-making in their districts.

Building on foundational knowledge of employee leaves, this advanced session explores the nuanced and often challenging aspects of leave administration in the education setting. Designed for experienced HR professionals, this workshop will examine key laws related to pregnancy, parental/bonding leave, family care leave, and re-employment rights and how these leaves interact. Attendees will utilize real world examples to gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate these complex situations while ensuring compliance and employee support through the process.

School HR leaders are managing increasingly complex accommodation requests involving mental health, leaves, remote work, attendance, and employee performance concerns. Through real-world scenarios and interactive discussion, this session explores practical approaches to Interactive Process facilitation, documentation, and communication that help districts navigate difficult situations while maintaining compliance and operational effectiveness.

Maybe you’re new to educational leaves, or maybe you have been working with leaves your entire career. Whatever your experience, have you ever had that moment when you ask yourself “What leaves does this employee get?” Local Educational Agencies are required to apply Federal, State and Educational Leaves. In addition to the leave laws like PDL, FMLA and CFRA, agencies must also consider leaves under accommodation laws such as ADA and PWFA. Sometimes it’s straight forward but more often than not it feels like you are in a wild environment where some wild vine or weird creature is going to grab or snag you and pull you under. Don’t be afraid we are here to help you with those wild leave questions. Join us for an interactive discussion where we explore the different kinds of employee leave and how to coordinate them based upon real life scenarios.

Key Takeaways:
• Identify the appropriate leaves and interconnection of paid and unpaid leaves and other accommodation laws with each other

• Learn how certain leaves are inter-related and strategies for navigating and coordinating employee leaves

• Other helpful written resources