Managing employee leaves of absence has become one of the most complex challenges facing HR leaders today. In fact, ComPsych data shows that overall, leaves of absence have increased 30% since the COVID-19 pandemic. Combine that fact with the ever-evolving federal and state regulations landscape, ADA compliance requirements, and the need to maintain business continuity, and organizations need more than just basic leave tracking. What’s needed is strategic partnership that can transform absence management from an administrative burden into an opportunity to better assist employees through major life changes and challenges.
As Sara Galle, Vice President for Customer Success, Absence and Accommodations, explains, “Our customers and their employees trust us to provide support during major life events – we know this responsibility is much broader than managing the right regulatory leave requirement – we are here to provide the right resources to navigate before, during, and after the absence to minimize the burden on the employee with a supportive experience.”
The Hidden Cost of Absence Mismanagement
Employee absences are unavoidable, but poorly managed leave programs create cascading problems throughout an organization for everyone involved. Employees struggle through stressful life events without clear guidance, leading to decreased satisfaction and engagement. Managers spend countless hours navigating confusing leave policies instead of focusing on their core work and job functions. And in the most extreme situations, compliance violations can result in costly penalties and litigation for businesses. Meanwhile, HR teams become overwhelmed with paperwork, medical certifications, and the challenge of tracking multiple leave types across different jurisdictions.
The solution isn’t to avoid addressing absences; it’s to manage them strategically with expert support.
The Gold Standard in Leave Management
Today, ComPsych is officially introducing AbsenceResources, formerly FMLASource. This new name reflects the breadth and depth of ComPsych’s industry-leading absence management services, which goes far beyond FMLA tracking. For existing customers, this is a passive change with all operational elements redirecting users automatically from FMLASource to AbsenceResources whether people use the web portal, mobile application, reach out via email, phone or fax.
With support for more than 200 types of leaves, the AbsenceResources program includes:
Leave Management Services
The foundation of AbsenceResources is turnkey administration for the full spectrum of leave types. This includes federal FMLA, USERRA (military leave), jury and witness duty, company-specific leaves, and state family leave programs. As state leave laws continue to proliferate and evolve, having a partner who tracks and manages compliance across all jurisdictions becomes invaluable.
Employees can submit leave requests through multiple channels—whether they prefer speaking with a live customer experience specialist, using the web portal, or accessing the mobile app. The flexibility ensures that regardless of how someone learns about a potential leave need, they can easily initiate the process.
Throughout the leave journey, employees receive expert guidance that demystifies complex policies. Rather than drowning in legal jargon, employees get clear, conversational explanations of their company-specific policies and entitlements. The system streamlines eligibility determination, coordinates with healthcare providers to obtain necessary documentation, and provides proactive outreach at critical points to prevent missed deadlines and confirm return-to-work dates.
ADA and Accommodation Services
One of the most challenging aspects of absence management is the intersection of leave and disability accommodation. AbsenceResources provides specialized ADA and accommodation services, including leave as an accommodation administration and coaching for ADA compliance as well as federal and state pregnancy accommodations like the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA).
The service maintains a compliance-first approach with clear, documented processes for following EEOC and ADA requirements. The team proactively identifies absences that may require ADA analysis and assists both employees and healthcare providers in completing medical certification paperwork correctly. Extremely valuable for many employers, AbsenceResources also provides expert interactive process coaching through ADA specialists with law degrees and extensive compliance experience, helping organizations navigate these sensitive situations with confidence.
Additionally, the service takes a holistic approach by introducing employees to appropriate well-being services when available, recognizing that people on leave often need support beyond just administrative processing. In fact, when combined with ComPsych’s behavioral health offerings, employees return to work an average of 6 days faster.
How Comprehensive Absence Management Drives ROI
Organizations that partner with AbsenceResources realize benefits across several key areas – from compliance and administration to reduced impact, a streamlined employee experience and more.
Greater Compliance with the Law
The legal expertise provided by AbsenceResources ensures compliance across all applicable regulations – even as new local, state and federal laws are introduced. During implementation, legal experts are involved in everything from training and policy review to staying current with regulatory updates at all legislative levels. The combination of HR specialists, attorneys, and clinicians creates both the clinical expertise and legal knowledge necessary to effectively manage claims while maintaining compliance.
Ease of Administration
AbsenceResources eliminates unnecessary work for managers and empowers HR leaders to oversee programs without getting mired in the weeds. The service facilitates a seamless experience for employees, managers, and HR throughout the entire process, particularly when disability or workers’ compensation claims run concurrently.
Reduced Impact of Unplanned Absences
We take time to understand each organization’s culture and preferences for managing intermittent leave patterns. Through trend analysis, AbsenceResources identifies potential issues and helps organizations address them appropriately and proactively. This analysis, combined with the time savings from outsourcing administration, provides measurable cost savings and a significant reduction in unplanned intermittent use and unapproved leaves.
Seamless Employee Experience
Services are available around the clock through the web portal, mobile app, and IVR system. Multiple access points and proactive communication create “safety nets” that ensure employees understand their responsibilities and deadlines, reducing stress during challenging life circumstances.
Robust Reporting and Analytics
Comprehensive reporting helps organizations manage absences cost-effectively and quantify their investment’s value. Clear, actionable reports include a wide range of analytics with varying levels of detail and frequency, tailored to customer needs. AbsenceResources also provides summaries, analysis, and consultation to ensure ongoing compliance and minimize risk exposure.
Portability as a Stand-Alone Partner
Organizations frequently change disability carriers due to volatile insurance rates, and each change traditionally requires reimplementing leave management systems. AbsenceResources can easily integrate with most major disability carriers, helping customers avoid the considerable time, effort, and cost of continuous reimplementation. This ensures zero disruption in service regardless of which insurance carrier an organization uses.
A Modern Experience for Today’s Workforce
By reintroducing FMLASource as AbsenceResources, ComPsych is bringing a more intuitive, modern, and approachable digital experience to members. The transition from the FMLASource name was designed to be completely passive for customers and employees. All forms and documentation will be processed regardless of whether they carry old or new branding, ensuring a smooth experience.
This thoughtful approach to change management reflects ComPsych’s understanding that successful absence management isn’t just about policies and procedures—it’s about making things easier for everyone involved.
The Bottom Line
In today’s complex regulatory environment, absence management has evolved from a basic HR function to a strategic capability that impacts compliance, employee experience, operational efficiency, and the bottom line. Organizations face a choice: continue managing absences reactively with internal resources stretched thin, or partner with proven experts who can transform absence management into a strategic advantage.
With 25-plus years of experience and coverage for millions of employees, ComPsych’s AbsenceResources represents a solution that delivers both immediate operational benefits and long-term strategic value. From the first moment an employee needs leave through their successful return to work, AbsenceResources provides the expertise, technology, and support that turns a potentially stressful situation into a managed, compliant, and positive experience.
For more information on AbsenceResources, please visit https://www.compsych.com/absence-resources/.
