A new report from The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® has found that how employees are supported during a period of leave corresponds to higher morale and loyalty when back in the workplace.
According to the report, employees who report a good leave experience are two times as likely to say their employer cares about their well-being.
The new report, ‘The Employee Leave Experience‘, examines employers’ and employees’ attitudes around the leave experience, including sick leave, vacation leave, mental health days, paid time off, bereavement leave, maternity leave, family care leave, paternity leave, paid family and medical leave, Family and Medical Leave Act, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance.
When asked about their priorities for their absence management programs and supporting employees with non-maternity injuries or illnesses, 40 per cent of employers say their top absence management priority is helping employees stay at work.
Additionally, 36 per cent say it’s ensuring policies and procedures are compliant, 33 per cent say it is creating a culture of care, empathy, and well-being, and 29 per cent say it is supporting an employee in their return to safe and meaningful work.
In thinking ahead to how they can continue to help support a positive leave experience for employees, more than 80% of employers say they are considering moving toward a broad paid leave policy that addresses multiple leave reasons, rather than maintaining separate policies.
“Evolving worker expectations are driving organisations to reexamine their leave management practices in order to offer the best experience,” said Jessica Vanscavish, Head of Disability, Absence, Life, and Supplemental Health at Guardian.
Vanscavish added, “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.”
