After surveying over 1,000 HR leaders, AbsenceSoft's 2026 State of Leave and Accommodations report revealed that the nature of leave and accommodations requests has fundamentally shifted in ways most compliance professionals aren't prepared for. For the third year running, caseloads continue climbing, but it's not just the volume that's changed. The types of requests employees are making, the tools HR teams are using to manage them, and the compliance risks lurking in seemingly helpful shortcuts are creating a perfect storm. If you're still managing your programs the way you did three years ago, or if you think AI is just a future concern, this conversation will change how you think about risk, resources, and what it takes to stay compliant in 2026.
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After surveying over 1,000 HR leaders, AbsenceSoft's 2026 State of Leave and Accommodations report revealed that the nature of leave and accommodations requests has fundamentally shifted in ways most compliance professionals aren't prepared for. For the third year running, caseloads continue climbing, but it's not just the volume that's changed. The types of requests employees are making, the tools HR teams are using to manage them, and the compliance risks lurking in seemingly helpful shortcuts are creating a perfect storm. If you're still managing your programs the way you did three years ago, or if you think AI is just a future concern, this conversation will change how you think about risk, resources, and what it takes to stay compliant in 2026.
Inside the 2025 Leave and Accommodations Report: HR’s Role in the Employee Experience
Nine To Thrive HR
25 minutes 47 seconds
9 months ago
Inside the 2025 Leave and Accommodations Report: HR’s Role in the Employee Experience
In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle is joined by Seth Turner, Founder and Senior Advisor at AbsenceSoft, to explore the growing complexities of leave and accommodation in the workplace. They break down the biggest insights from our 2025 State of Leave and Accommodations Report, based on a survey of 2,400 employees and HR managers. Leave requests are rising, increased demand for mental health support is a growing factor, and compliance remains a challenge—so what does this mean for HR? We’ll share findings leading to why leave and accommodations requests are increasing, how employers can balance compliance with employee support, and the biggest FMLA mistakes to avoid. Plus, we’ll explore the importance of manager training and how technology can streamline processes while preserving a positive employee experience.
Nine To Thrive HR
After surveying over 1,000 HR leaders, AbsenceSoft's 2026 State of Leave and Accommodations report revealed that the nature of leave and accommodations requests has fundamentally shifted in ways most compliance professionals aren't prepared for. For the third year running, caseloads continue climbing, but it's not just the volume that's changed. The types of requests employees are making, the tools HR teams are using to manage them, and the compliance risks lurking in seemingly helpful shortcuts are creating a perfect storm. If you're still managing your programs the way you did three years ago, or if you think AI is just a future concern, this conversation will change how you think about risk, resources, and what it takes to stay compliant in 2026.
