COLUMBUS, Ga., Sept. 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 3 out of 4 American
workers say they experienced stress and anxiety while covering for
a coworker on paid/extended leave,1 according to dual
studies by Aflac Incorporated and Prudential Financial, Inc.
In addition, about half of workers say they experienced burnout
when covering for an employee whose leave extended beyond nine
weeks,1 according to the studies, one by Aflac focusing
on how employees are impacted by a coworkers' leave, and another by
Prudential, focusing on how employers are supporting workers who
cover for employees on leave. The studies by the two companies,
both leading providers of group life, absence, disability and
supplemental health insurance in the U.S., were combined into a
single presentation on Aug. 6 at the
2024 Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) Annual
Conference in Nashville,
Tennessee.
"As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of paid leave
in America, it's critical to understand the impact on those who
remain at work and the challenges it can present to employers,"
said Bryon Bass, CEO of DMEC. "These
studies highlight the importance of effective communication and
recognition in support of employees who are using their bandwidth
to maintain business continuity while their colleagues are on
leave. By addressing these key areas, employers can ensure a
healthier, more productive workforce."
Aflac and Prudential shared their key findings from studies with
DMEC conference attendees and provided key data to illustrate how
employers can support and recognize employees who cover for their
coworkers who are on leave. According to the studies:
- 48% of employers have seen an increase in employee leaves in
the past 12 months.2
- 94% of employers report taking action to provide support to
employees covering for coworkers on leave,2 but only 74%
of employees report their employers have taken any
action.1
- 73% of workers experienced stress and anxiety while covering
for a coworker.1
- 42% of workers experienced burnout when covering for a coworker
whose leave period extended beyond 9 weeks.1
Kristin Tugman, Ph.D., and VP,
Holistic Wellness, Health & Productivity for Prudential, said
information from the studies will enable employers to define best
practices and create efficiencies, including staffing models that
preserve the well-being of the employees who are working hard to
ensure business continuity.
"American workers put in long hours that can impact work-life
balance and their own personal mental and physical well-being,"
Tugman said. "Employee perspectives have changed post-pandemic, and
the new generation entering the workforce expects employers to
value their health and well-being. This new perspective, coupled
with the increase in employee leaves, will require employers to
evaluate their work environment."
Jenny Merrithew, vice president,
Marketplace Solutions at Aflac, said the coordinated studies will
generate important dialogue to help employers and employees achieve
a balance with managing work and time away effectively.
"As more states and employers embrace paid leave as a covered
benefit and as a means to attract top talent, it becomes more
essential that all parties gain a greater awareness of how it will
impact the ecosystem in terms of bandwidth, costs and
productivity," Merrithew said.
Download the infographic to learn more.
ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has
helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than
68 years to millions of policyholders and customers through its
subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1
provider of supplemental health insurance products.3 In
Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan
is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of
policies in force. The company takes pride in being there for its
policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in
the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 18 consecutive
years (2024), Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 23 years
(2024) and Bloomberg's Gender-Equality Index for the fourth
consecutive year (2023). In addition, the company became a
signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in
2021 and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North
America Index (2023) for 10 years. To find out how to get help with
expenses health insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at
aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol. Investors may learn more about
Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social
responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under
"Sustainability."
Group life, disability, and absence services are provided by
Continental American Insurance Company (CAIC); in New York, products and services are provided
by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York; in California, coverage is offered by Continental
American Life Insurance Company. Products may not be available in
all states and may vary depending on state law.
Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Aflac New York | 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 |
Albany, New York 12211
Continental American Insurance Company | Columbia, SC
ABOUT PRUDENTIAL
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial
services leader and premier active global investment manager with
approximately $1.5 trillion in assets
under management as of March 31,
2024, has operations in the United
States, Asia, Europe, and Latin
America. Prudential's diverse and talented employees help
make lives better and create financial opportunity for more people
by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement
security. Prudential's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength,
stability, expertise, and innovation for nearly 150 years. For more
information, please visit news.prudential.com.
Prudential Group Insurance manufactures and distributes a full
range of group life, long-term and short-term disability, and
corporate and trust-owned life insurance in the U.S. to
institutional clients primarily for use within employee and
membership benefit plans. The business also sells critical illness,
accidental death and dismemberment, and other ancillary coverages.
In addition, the business provides plan administrative services in
connection with its insurance coverages, and administrative
services for employee paid and unpaid leave including FMLA, ADA,
and PFL.
Group Insurance coverage is issued by The Prudential Insurance
Company of America, a Prudential Financial company, Newark, New Jersey.
1 Workers Left Behind Employee Study 2024. Aflac
Incorporated. Published August
2024.
2 Workers Left Behind Employer Study 2024. Prudential
Financial. Published August 2024.
3 LIMRA 2023 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total
Market Report.
Media contact (Aflac): Jon
Sullivan, 706.573.7610 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Media contact (Prudential Financial): Marisa Amador, 973.802.8969 or
marisa.amador@prudential.com
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SOURCE Aflac