Employee accommodations are more than a legal requirement—they reflect the kind of workplace that institutions strive to build: one that is inclusive, responsive and people-first. From adjusting work schedules to modifying tasks or tools, accommodations are about ensuring every team member has what they need to succeed.
When someone shares a challenge that could affect how they work, it is an opportunity to lead with empathy, beyond following policy. Listening with care, responding thoughtfully, and partnering with HR are essential steps in removing barriers and creating impactful support year-round.
At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Remember what employee accommodations are and why they matter
- Understand how accommodations support inclusion and performance
- Apply best practices when a team member discloses a need
- Analyze different types of accommodations and their impact on workflow
- Evaluate when and how to escalate accommodation discussions to HR
- Create a team culture where all voices are heard and valued
By building awareness and approaching “Employee Accommodations” with a refined perspective, an institution can ensure that every team member feels seen, supported and empowered to do their best work.
Presenter: Kurtis Strauel, Senior Director of HR, Mark Taylor Residential
As Senior Director of Human Resources at Mark-Taylor Residential, Kurtis Strauel champions the organization’s most important resource: Their people. He expertly oversees Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Training & Development, Brand Integrity, and Employee Experience. Kurtis’ commitment to employee well-being is evident through initiatives spanning onboarding, holistic wellness programming, volunteer time off, corporate social responsibility, and signature employee events. Under his leadership, Mark-Taylor earned recognition as a Top 10 Best Place to Work and a Top 5 Healthiest Employer by the Phoenix Business Journal.
Before arriving at Mark-Taylor, Kurtis worked his way up from HR Generalist to Vice President of People at various organizations. In that capacity, he successfully led large-scale people-focused initiatives inclusive of leadership development, workforce planning, modernized total rewards, workplace culture renewal efforts, change management, operational HR strategy, and more.
His decades of HR experience are expansive, overseeing departments at enterprise companies to small businesses. Throughout the years, his strategic priorities have remained – employee experience, internal collaboration, relationship building, and systemic organizational development.
Moderator: Judy Spain, J.D., CCEP
Judy currently serves as the GICA Compliance Program Consultant and serves on the Board, Society for Corporate Compliance and Ethics. She is a Professor Emeritus, an attorney licensed in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, and is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional. She served as General Counsel and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer at Eastern Kentucky University and Manhattanville College, where she developed and implemented compliance programs. Judy is the author of the first book on higher education compliance, Higher Education Compliance: Blueprint for Success. Judy is also the author of Compliance Risk Assessments: An Introduction published by the Society for Corporate Compliance and Ethics. Her third book, Higher Education Compliance: What Governing Boards Really Need to Know is available in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook.