Workers at an office meeting
Employers interesting in improving their retention rate may want to take a close look at their worker leave policies.
Employees who have a positive leave experience are 75% more likely to stay at their job for five or more years, a new report from The Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America found. “Evolving worker expectations are driving organizations to reexamine their leave management practices to offer the best experience," said Jessica Vanscavish, head of disability, absence, life and supplemental health at Guardian.
When asked about their absence management programs and supporting employees with non-maternity injuries or illnesses, 4 in 10 employers say their top priority is helping employees stay at work. Additionally, 36% say it’s ensuring policies and procedures are compliant; one-third say it's creating a culture of care, empathy and wellbeing; and 29% say it is supporting an employee in their return to safe and meaningful work. More than 80% of employers say they're considering moving toward a broad paid leave policy that addresses multiple leave reasons rather than maintaining separate policies.
Mental wellbeing is an increasingly important emphasis for both employers and workers. Eight in 10 employers say mental health issues contribute to absences in their organization, with 50% seeing an increase in mental health claims and 30% seeing an increase in postpartum depression claims. While on leave, 39% of workers used mental health counseling benefits and 35% used physical therapy benefits. Fifteen percent also claimed benefits from their supplemental health insurance policies.
Managers set the tone for the leave experience. Half of employers say having a supportive manager is the most influential factor affecting the employee leave experience. Fifty-six percent of employees say their manager's support made a positive difference in their leave experience, and 3 in 10 say the ability to make a single request for all applicable types of leave has the greatest positive impact on their employees' absence experience.
One-quarter of employers say ease of interacting online is most important. Two-thirds of employers are considering incorporating artificial intelligence into their absence management programs, with 19% having already incorporated it into their disability and Family Medical Leave Act administration through benefit administration tools or partnerships.
Nearly 8 in 10 employers rate the employee leave experience at their organization as "excellent" or "good," including submitting a request for disability or FMLA leave (79%); return to work (78%); communications across parties while on leave (77%); approval of disability or FMLA leave (76%); claims payment (76%); educating managers and supervisors (75%); and educating employees (74%).
"When processes are streamlined, communications are clear and there is a single point of contact for questions, employees are more likely to feel supported before, during and after a leave, directly translating into improved morale and loyalty,” Vanscavish said.
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