Half of employers said having a supportive manager was the most influential factor in the employee leave experience, according to Guardian.

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Employees who report a good experience with a period of leave from work are 75% more likely to stay at their job for five or more years, according to an Oct. 27 report from The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.

In addition, employees who feel supported during their leave report higher morale and loyalty when back at work — and are two times more likely to say their employer cares about their well-being, the report found.

“Evolving worker expectations are driving organizations to reexamine their leave management practices in order to offer the best experience,” Jessica Vanscavish, head of disability, absence, life and supplemental health at Guardian, said in a statement. “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.”

In surveys of 2,000 employees and 1,215 benefit professionals, half of employers said having a supportive manager was the most influential factor in the employee leave experience. In particular, 56% of employees said their manager’s support made a positive difference in their leave experience.

Beyond that, 30% of employers said the ability to make a single request for all leave types had the greatest positive impact on their employees’ absence experience. This included sick leave, vacation leave, mental health days, paid time off, bereavement leave, maternity and paternity leave, family and medical leave, short-term disability and long-term disability.

When thinking ahead about how to support a positive leave experience, more than 80% of employers said they’re considering a move toward a broad leave policy that addresses multiple leave reasons, rather than maintaining separate policies.

Beyond that, 65% are thinking about incorporating artificial intelligence tools into their absence management programs, with 19% already using AI in their disability and family and medical leave programs through benefit administration tools or partnerships.

During the next two years, most U.S. employers plan to boost their leave programs through enhanced parental leave, bereavement leave and caregiver leave, according to a WTW survey. Employers said they want to make these changes for talent attraction, retention and employee experience motivations.

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