Women's health benefits linked to reduced absenteeism
Nearly 9 in 10 employed women in the United States agree that employer benefits positively influence overall workplace satisfaction.
“This reveals a powerful link between mental health support and workplace attendance,” lead researcher Dr. Sera-Leigh Ghouralal said. “In practical terms, employees who utilize mental health support services miss fewer workdays. When you combine this with our finding that 53.5% of women are actively using mental health benefits, it’s clear that investing in comprehensive mental health support isn’t just good for employee wellbeing — it’s a strategic approach to maintaining a productive, engaged workforce.”
The majority of respondents reported that in the past 12 months, they sometimes or often went to work while feeling unwell. The main reasons cited for presenteeism are financial necessity, followed by workload concerns. Most respondents reported missing an average of one or two workdays in the past 12 months, followed closely by three to five days. The main reason cited for missing work is acute illness, followed by family or personal responsibilities, such as caregiving.
Cost, time constraints and scheduling difficulties are the top barriers to utilizing benefits. Women aged 40 to 50 reported the highest levels of difficulty across all barriers, while those aged 50 to 64 faced fewer obstacles. Middle-income women encountered the most barriers, with higher-income women primarily citing scheduling challenges. Among the other findings:
- Nearly 9 in 10 employed women in the United States agree that employer benefits positively influence overall workplace satisfaction.
- Eighty-five percent say benefits play a crucial role in attracting and retaining talent.
- Preventive care emerged as the most commonly used benefit at 63%, followed by mental health support at 54%.
- Employed women aged 30 to 39 had the highest rates of benefit engagement, with higher utilization in industries such as health care, education and technology.
- Women earning between $100,001 and $150,000 reported more frequent use of benefits than lower-income groups.
- Participants satisfied with digital health solutions and reporting ease of access tend to miss fewer workdays, particularly in professional services and health care sectors.
Related: 8 years of celebrating women in benefits
These findings underscore the critical role women’s health benefits play in promoting employee wellbeing and productivity. Enhanced benefit communication, accessibility and utilization can lead to improved workplace attendance, engagement and retention across various industries. Employers can address barriers to benefit utilization through innovative solutions, such as flexible scheduling, cost-sharing options and expanded telehealth services.
“Improve communication and education about available benefits to increase awareness and utilization,” the study report concluded. “Based on the research, it’s critical for employers to prioritize mental health and reproductive health to mitigate the impact of health conditions on absenteeism and productivity. Invest in early intervention, advocacy, access to care and support programs to help employees effectively manage their health.”