The Leave Management Shift: New Research on What’s Working (And What Isn’t)

Viewpoints from Morgan Lee, PhD, MPH, CPH and Lisa Malloy, CLU, REBC, FLMI

The Strategic Shift in Leave Management

Leave management has evolved from a simple administrative task to a critical strategic imperative. As employee expectations rapidly evolve and compliance requirements grow more complex, human resources (HR) and finance leaders face an urgent reality: the old playbook no longer works. Today’s workforce demands flexibility, and organizations must adapt quickly or risk falling behind.

So, how can you streamline leave processes without sacrificing compliance? How does your company strike a balance between employee needs and operational efficiency? The answer lies in understanding current market trends and learning from organizations that are successfully navigating this transformation.

The Shocking Reality: Where Your HR Time Really Goes

New research reveals a startling truth about leave management efficiency. According to our 2025 State of Leave Management Report, organizations are grappling with major challenges, with a few key takeaways highlighted:

• 26% of HR time is consumed by leave management activities, highlighting an urgent need for more efficient solutions
• Over 90% of organizations report at least one pain point in their leave management process
• 21% of employers have increased outsourcing, while 11% are bringing operations back in-house

These statistics highlight a clear opportunity: organizations have the potential to meaningfully improve their leave management efficiency with the right strategic approach.

The Compliance Complexity Challenge

Among our survey respondents, staying compliant with evolving state and federal laws was the most frequently cited pain point in leave management. Navigating intricate compliance requirements has become increasingly demanding. Organizations must balance federal regulations, state-specific laws, a geographically diverse workforce, and evolving workplace flexibility needs while maintaining operational efficiency. The complexity isn’t decreasing – it’s intensifying as legislation continues to expand employee protections and rights.

Strategic Solutions for Modern Workforce Demands

Organizations thriving in today’s environment aren’t just managing leave – they’re strategically optimizing it. Whether you’re building a program from scratch or refining existing processes, success requires data-driven insights and benchmarking against industry leaders, yet our survey found that one in three employers are not measuring their results or are not sure about their approach, and just one in 10 are benchmarking to peer organizations.

The most effective leave management strategies focus on workforce flexibility while maintaining compliance integrity. This means implementing solutions that support both business goals and employee wellbeing without overwhelming HR resources.

Your Competitive Advantage Starts with Insights

Understanding how leading organizations are transforming their leave management approach is crucial for staying competitive. The landscape is shifting rapidly, and having access to current benchmarking data and actionable insights can be the difference between struggling with outdated processes and leading with confidence.

Download your free copy of the 2025 State of Leave Management Report from the form on this page, and discover how leading organizations are transforming their strategies to support both business objectives and employee satisfaction.

EPIC Employee Benefits Consultants: Your Leave Management Partner

As leave management complexity increases, having the right strategic partner becomes essential. EPIC’s specialists understand the intersection of compliance requirements, workforce flexibility, and operational efficiency. From comprehensive leave management solutions to voluntary benefits that enhance your overall employee experience, we’re here to help you build a benefits strategy that works.

Want to learn more about our leave management solutions? Reach out to Lisa Malloy or contact your account manager to discover how EPIC can help transform your approach to employee benefits management.

EPIC offers this material for general information only. EPIC does not intend this material to be, nor may any person receiving this information construe or rely on this material as, tax or legal advice. The matters addressed in this document and any related discussions or correspondence should be reviewed and discussed with legal counsel prior to acting or relying on these materials.

Contact the Co-Author

Morgan Lee, PhD, MPH, CPH, Senior Director, Research & Strategy | EPIC Pharmacy Solutions, powered by PSG | Contact Morgan via phone or email.