Studies by Aflac and Prudential Financial address the impact of paid leave in the workplace

Core Insights - Nearly 75% of American workers experience stress and anxiety when covering for coworkers on paid or extended leave, highlighting the significant impact of employee absences on those remaining at work [1][2] - About 50% of workers report experiencing burnout when covering for employees whose leave extends beyond nine weeks, indicating a correlation between prolonged absences and employee well-being [1][2] Group 1: Employee Impact - 73% of workers reported experiencing stress and anxiety while covering for a coworker [2] - 42% of workers experienced burnout when covering for a coworker whose leave period extended beyond nine weeks [2] - The studies indicate that employee perspectives on work-life balance and mental health have shifted post-pandemic, necessitating a reevaluation of workplace environments [3] Group 2: Employer Response - 48% of employers have observed an increase in employee leaves over the past year [2] - 94% of employers have taken action to support employees covering for coworkers on leave, yet only 74% of employees feel that their employers have provided any support [2] - Effective communication and recognition are essential for employers to support employees maintaining business continuity during coworker absences [2][3] Group 3: Industry Trends - The coordinated studies by Aflac and Prudential aim to foster dialogue on managing work and time away effectively as more states and employers adopt paid leave as a benefit [3] - The findings suggest that as paid leave becomes more common, understanding its impact on workforce bandwidth, costs, and productivity is crucial for employers [3]