Aflac study reveals the impact of paid leave on employers and employees

Rhea-AI Summary

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) has released its second annual Time Away Study, revealing significant challenges faced by employees covering for colleagues on leave. The study shows that 73% of employees experience workplace stress while covering for peers, and 41% face burnout during extended coverage periods over eight weeks.

Key findings highlight that mental well-being dropped 11 percentage points during coverage periods, with 27% of employees developing new health conditions attributed to increased workload. Despite 95% of leaders having access to recognition tools, 29% of employees received no recognition for additional work.

Aflac emphasizes the need for employers to implement proactive leave management strategies, including clear communication, regular check-ins, and support systems to prevent burnout and maintain productivity.

Positive

• Comprehensive study highlighting workplace challenges provides valuable insights for improving employee management
• 95% of leaders have access to recognition tools for acknowledging additional work
• Company demonstrates leadership in addressing workplace well-being issues

Negative

• 73% of employees experience workplace stress during peer coverage
• 41% of employees face burnout during extended coverage periods
• 27% of employees developed new health conditions due to increased workload
• 29% of employees received no recognition despite available recognition tools

Nearly 3 in 4 employees experience workplace stress or anxiety while covering for a peer¹

COLUMBUS, Ga., Aug. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Key findings from the second annual Time Away Study¹ released by Aflac, the leading provider of health supplemental insurance in the U.S.,² reveal the significant physical, mental and professional challenges faced by employees who assume additional work when a co-worker is on leave. The study highlights the critical role that planning, communication and recognition play in maintaining employee well-being and productivity during these critical periods. The findings underscore the importance of proactive leave coverage strategies and offer actionable recommendations for both businesses and their workers.

41% of employees experienced burnout when a co-worker's leave period extended beyond eight weeks.

According to the 2025 Aflac Time Away Study:

• 41% of employees experienced burnout when a co-worker's leave period extended beyond eight weeks.¹
• Mental well-being dropped 11 percentage points while covering for a peer.¹
• 27% of employees who were diagnosed with a new health condition during or after their coverage period attributed it to the increased workload.¹
• 18% of workers say a preexisting condition worsened while covering for a peer.¹
• 73% of employees experienced at least moderate workplace stress or anxiety while covering for a peer.¹
• 29% of employees said they did not receive any recognition for their additional work even though 95% of leaders say they have access to recognition tools.¹
• 67% of those newly diagnosed with a health condition while covering for a peer took time off to care for themselves.¹

Aflac's study emphasizes the need for employers to adopt proactive leave and time away management practices to mitigate the risks of burnout and negative impacts on employee morale. As part of its ongoing efforts to support businesses and their employees, Aflac urges employers to take a more holistic approach to leave management — safeguarding access to time away and ensuring robust plans are in place to address the well-being of employees for the continued success of business operations. Proactive planning and clear communication, alongside recognition and support, can minimize the physical and mental impact on employees and foster a healthier, more productive work environment.

"We know that in today's environment, employers are increasingly cognizant of providing a better workplace for their employees, but this study reveals that the challenges of covering for a co-worker on leave can have a significant impact on productivity," said Jenny Merrithew, vice president, Marketplace Solutions at Aflac. "To ensure there is balance in time away programs and productivity, employers should take steps and create a strategy to support the long-term well-being of employees, especially during periods where they are covering for a co-worker on leave. The strategy should include clear communication, regular check-ins, and tools and support to help prevent employee burnout and boost their engagement."

Similar to business continuity planning for disasters, building robust leave contingency plans that foster a culture of consistency, communication, recognition and support for employees taking on additional work could reduce the overall impacts identified in the study. This work can shape and inform how employers can remain competitive with time away benefits and minimize the impact to productivity and well-being in the workplace.

"What we discovered through this research is that leaders may not be aware of the toll that longer leave coverage takes on their employees, especially on tenured employees who may appear better equipped to manage the increased workload," said JR Shamley, senior vice president of National Accounts Business Development and Growth Solutions at Aflac. "Leaders should ensure workers are supported, recognized and rewarded equally and commensurate with the amount of additional work that's expected of them."

Download the report to learn more.

ABOUT THE 2025 AFLAC TIME AWAY STUDY
This second annual Aflac Time Away Study, conducted in January 2025, examines the impacts of time away/leave (two-plus weeks) programs on the workers who remain to ensure business continuity during those leave periods. This year, to provide a more complete picture of U.S. businesses' leave programs, this study includes both employees covering for a co-worker on leave and benefits decision-makers providing the employer perspective. The data was collected by Kantar Profile Divisions on behalf of Aflac from a national consumer survey of 1,000 respondents who had covered for a co-worker on leave in the past year and 500 employers working for companies that offer leave programs.

ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED 
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for nearly seven decades 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.² 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 19 consecutive years (2025) and Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 24 years (2025). 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 (2024) for 11 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/español. 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.

¹ Time Away Study 2025. Aflac Incorporated. Published May 2025.
² LIMRA 2024 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report.

Media contact: Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com

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SOURCE Aflac

FAQ

What are the key findings of Aflac's 2025 Time Away Study regarding employee burnout?

The study found that 41% of employees experienced burnout when covering for co-workers on leave beyond eight weeks, and 73% reported workplace stress or anxiety.

How does covering for colleagues on leave affect employee health according to Aflac's study?

According to the study, 27% of employees developed new health conditions due to increased workload, and 18% reported worsening of preexisting conditions while covering for peers.

What percentage of employees receive recognition for covering colleague workload according to Aflac?

Despite 95% of leaders having access to recognition tools, 29% of employees reported receiving no recognition for their additional work.

What solutions does Aflac recommend for managing employee leave coverage?

Aflac recommends implementing proactive leave management strategies, including clear communication, regular check-ins, robust contingency plans, and proper recognition systems to prevent burnout.

How much did employee mental well-being decline during peer coverage periods in Aflac's study?

The study revealed that employee mental well-being dropped by 11 percentage points while covering for peers on leave.