Leave of absence (LOA) management has long been a challenge for HR teams, but in recent years, it has evolved from a manageable issue into a full-blown beast. With the increasing complexity of federal and state regulations, expanded employee expectations and a rise in leave requests post-pandemic, many employers struggle to stay compliant and avoid policy abuse.

If you're wondering how to efficiently manage LOA-related challenges or how to leverage your leave benefits as a tool for attraction and retention, you're not alone. As regulations and employee expectations evolve, employers must adapt to stay compliant, efficient and competitive.

The growing complexity of leave absence management

Managing LOA compliance has become increasingly complex with the expansion of state-level paid family leave (PFL) programs alongside Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) federal requirements. Employers are juggling overlapping regulations, which can lead to miscommunication and confusion as HR teams work to provide accurate information about leave entitlements and processes.