TORONTO, Dec. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Insights, the leading provider of admissions assessment, program management, and analytics solutions for higher education, has been named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2026. Previously recognized in 2025, this honour reflects Acuity’s ongoing commitment to its employees and cultivating a driven, curious, and caring culture. Acuity Insights is committed to seeing the potential that others miss—both in creating a world that recognizes everyone’s f ...

Core Insights - The 2025 Aflac Time Away Study reveals that nearly 75% of employees experience workplace stress or anxiety when covering for a peer on leave, highlighting the significant challenges faced during these periods [1][5][6] - The study emphasizes the need for proactive leave management practices to mitigate burnout and maintain employee morale, urging employers to adopt a holistic approach to leave management [2][3] Employee Well-Being and Productivity - 41% of employees reported experiencing burnout when a co-worker's leave extended beyond eight weeks, indicating a direct correlation between extended leave and employee stress levels [2][5] - Mental well-being dropped by 11 percentage points for employees covering for peers, showcasing the mental health impact of increased workloads [5] - 73% of employees experienced at least moderate workplace stress or anxiety while covering for a peer, underscoring the need for effective support systems [5] Health Impacts - 27% of employees diagnosed with a new health condition during or after their coverage period attributed it to the increased workload, indicating a significant health risk associated with covering for absent colleagues [5] - 18% of workers reported that a preexisting condition worsened while covering for a peer, further illustrating the health implications of additional responsibilities [5] Recognition and Support - 29% of employees stated they did not receive any recognition for their additional work, despite 95% of leaders claiming access to recognition tools, highlighting a gap in acknowledgment of employee efforts [5] - Employers are encouraged to implement strategies that include clear communication, regular check-ins, and support tools to prevent burnout and enhance employee engagement [3][4] Recommendations for Employers - Aflac suggests that employers should create robust leave contingency plans that foster a culture of communication, recognition, and support to minimize the negative impacts identified in the study [3][4] - The study calls for leaders to be aware of the toll that longer leave coverage takes on employees, particularly tenured staff who may seem better equipped to handle increased workloads [4]

Core Insights - Trupanion has been awarded the Excellence in Wellbeing Award by the Puget Sound Business Journal, recognizing its commitment to employee well-being [1][2][3] Company Overview - Trupanion is a leading provider of medical insurance for pets in North America, with over 1,000,000 pets currently enrolled [5] - The company offers unlimited payouts for the life of pets and has a patented process that allows for direct payment to veterinarians at checkout [5] Employee Well-being Initiatives - The award highlights Trupanion's culture of support and investment in team member well-being, emphasizing the importance of physical, mental, and emotional health [2][3] - Trupanion utilizes ongoing team member feedback to guide benefit decisions, ensuring that resources provided empower employees to lead balanced lives [4]