Leave Management Emerges as a Cornerstone of Employee Experience, NFP Research Finds

As caregiving demands grow, employers are broadening support across the employee lifecycle, even as compliance and administration lag behind

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NFP, an Aon company and a leading property and casualty (P&C) broker and benefits consultant, today released its 2027 NFP U.S. Leave Management Report. The findings reveal that employers are recalibrating how leave benefits fit into the overall employee experience as workforce demographics shift, caregiving responsibilities intensify and employee expectations continue to evolve.

Providing the right support at the right time for employees navigating complex and competing life circumstances is a challenge for many employers. In response, organizations are expanding leave strategies to enhance support throughout the employee lifecycle. More than three-quarters (76%) of employers now offer some form of caregiving leave, up from 71% last year.

At the same time, the findings suggest that expanding benefits offerings alone is not enough to meet employee needs. Only 26% of employers say they are very confident in their ability to administer leave with accuracy and in line with compliance standards, highlighting the growing challenges employers face in delivering programs that employees understand, value and can easily access amid an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

"As employees juggle demanding realities inside and outside of work, leave has become much more than a collection of policies," said Maria Trapenasso, national practice leader, Talent Solutions, NFP. "Forward-thinking employers recognize that leave is not just an administrative obligation. It's a critical part of the employee experience and an important tool for attracting, supporting and retaining key talent."

A Growing Disconnect Between Leave Offerings and Employee Perception
Despite the growing investment some organizations have placed in leave benefits, the research shows a notable gap between how employers view their programs and how they believe employees perceive them. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of employers say their leave benefits are generous, yet fewer than half (48%) say their employees would describe them that way.

"A leave program does not create value simply because it exists," said Trapenasso. "Employees need to understand, trust and feel comfortable using it. Even highly competitive benefits can fail to deliver meaningful value if employees don't know what's available or how to access the support they need."

Menopause and Reproductive Loss Emerge as Workplace and Regulatory Priority
The report identified menopause as one of the most overlooked workforce issues by employers today. More than half (54%) of employers reported they were unaware of emerging menopause-related legislation, even as states increasingly enact requirements related to workplace accommodations, insurance coverage, anti-discrimination protections and employee education.

While relatively few organizations currently offer menopause accommodations, employer openness to providing support over the next five years increased (34%), compared to last year (25%), indicating that more organizations are evaluating menopause as part of broader leave offerings and wellbeing strategies. Employers are also embracing a broader definition of family support: 35% of those offering bereavement leave now extend it to cover a miscarriage or failed IVF process, a notable jump from 28% when NFP first measured these offerings in 2023.

"Many employers are still catching up on what menopause means for their workforce," said Trapenasso. "It can affect wellbeing, productivity and whether experienced employees stay engaged or step back, but it rarely gets the attention it deserves. Employers that begin evaluating their policies now will be better positioned to support employees and adapt as expectations and regulations continue to evolve."

Administrative Complexity Continues to Challenge Employers
As leave programs become more sophisticated, employers continue to grapple with the complexity of administering them accurately and consistently. Among the employers managing leave internally without dedicated software, 46% spend between three and five hours administering each leave request, up from 37% last year. The findings underscore the growing operational burden associated with managing increasingly intricate leave programs.

The findings also point to growing interest in technology and centralized support resources designed to simplify the leave experience. Currently, 32% of employers offer centralized employee support hubs that connect leave management with broader wellbeing and employee resources, while another 50% are considering or are open to implementing them in the future.

"The future of leave management isn't just about offering more benefits or administering them correctly," said Trapenasso. "As employee needs become more complex, organizations are looking for ways to weave leave, wellbeing and workforce support into a more seamless experience. The goal is to help employees navigate some of life's most important moments while maintaining a healthy, engaged and resilient workforce." 

About the 2027 NFP U.S. Leave Management Report
NFP conducted research to identify key trends and emerging shifts across leave management practices and commissioned a nationwide quantitative benchmarking survey of more than 1,000 employers across a variety of U.S. industries. The research explored employer approaches to maternity and parental leave, family caregiver leave, bereavement leave, paid time off, leave administration, employee support resources and compliance-related considerations. NFP compiled the findings to help employers evaluate leave strategies, identify emerging trends and improve the employee leave experience.

About NFP
NFP, an Aon company, is an organization of consultative advisors and problem solvers helping companies and individuals address their most significant risk, workforce, wealth management and retirement challenges. With colleagues across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, UK and Ireland, we serve a diversity of clients, industries and communities. Our global capabilities, specialized expertise and customized solutions span property and casualty insurance, benefits, wealth management and retirement plan advisory. Together, we put people first, prioritize partnerships and continuously advance a culture we're proud of.

SOURCE NFP Corp.