Lincoln Absence Advisor

In addition to everyday responsibilities, managers have duties that may not happen as often but are just as important – including being the first point of contact and support for employees taking a  leave of absence. This episode of Lincoln Absence Advisor brings together Lincoln absence and legal professionals to discuss what managers need to know as they help guide employees before, during, and after an absence. We’ll explore how managers can recognize the need for leave, offer support while respecting privacy, and help returning employees ease back in their role after their leave is done.

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In this episode of Lincoln Absence Advisor, we talk about one of the key factors — caregiving — behind what’s been called the “Great Resignation” in the American workforce. Our guests are well-versed in this trend, as they are all part of the Lincoln marketing intelligence team that conducts industry research and analyzes the latest relevant developments. Together, we discuss the effect caregiving demands are having on recruitment and retention and how employers can take proactive steps to address both financial and emotional challenges faced by employees with caregiving responsibilities. 

© 2022 Lincoln National Corporation. All rights reserved.  LCN-4502135-031022

It’s essential to keep up with the latest news, and that’s why we’re providing another option besides reading about them – now you can listen to the latest compliance news instead. During this episode of Lincoln Absence Advisor, we discuss April’s top stories – not just what is happening but also why, and how it may affect employers’ leave and absence decisions. This month’s stories focus on Washington state’s amendments to the family and medical leave program, EEOC guidance on discrimination against persons providing pandemic caregiving responsibilities, and Maryland’s announcement about paid family and medical leave. 

Resources mentioned:

April Compliance Report | Compliance Report Archive on the Lincoln Absence Advisor hub | Washington’s page on rule making | The COVID-19 Pandemic and Caregiver Discrimination Under Federal Employment Discrimination Laws

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This episode focuses on a key aspect of the FMLA —  job protection. Listen as three Lincoln absence and leave professionals discuss what job protection means under the FMLA, along with common viewpoints and misunderstandings from both an employer and employee point of view. We’re all hearing more about the importance of employee benefits and flexible work arrangements; our discussion focuses on what that means to the significance of the FMLA as a cornerstone of employee leave and job protection.

Resources mentioned in this episode: Conflict and Compromise by Ronald Elving, DOL’S FMLA Employer Guide, Wage and Hour Division by the numbers for FMLA

© 2022 Lincoln National Corporation. All rights reserved.  LCN-4614445-032222 

This episode of Lincoln Absence Advisor provides a new way to digest our monthly leave and absence compliance report. Our reports explore each month’s leave and development news and have proven to be a popular feature – here we talk about the top stories, discuss why new developments are happening, and consider the implications from an employer’s point of view. This month, we’ll review topics such as the U.S. Department of Labor’s initiative to protect warehouse and logistic workers, California’s new FAQs and mandatory poster for the 2022 COVID-19 supplemental paid sick program, and important deadlines you need to know.
 
Download the March report or visit our webpage to see previous months. 

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How do companies decide whether to go with their state PFML plan or choose a private option instead? In this episode of Lincoln Absence Advisor, we talk with two Lincoln national account executives who offer their years of experience guiding clients through this process. They discuss the many factors companies need to consider and how Lincoln can help them arrive at the decision that’s right for their situation. There’s a lot to weigh: employee experience, company demographics, cost, how many states employees work in, coordination with other programs, timelines, and available resources for implementation. It’s a unique decision for each company, but third party vendors like Lincoln can be a valuable part of the process and provide needed facts and feedback. 
 
 Sources mentioned in this episode: Lincoln Absence Advisor Compliance Reports

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In this episode of Lincoln Absence Advisor, we talk about one of the key factors — caregiving — behind what’s been called the “Great Resignation” in the American workforce. Our guests are well-versed in this trend, as they are all part of the Lincoln market intelligence team that conducts industry research and analyzes the latest relevant developments. Together, we discuss the effect caregiving demands are having on recruitment and retention and how employers can take proactive steps to address both financial and emotional challenges faced by employees with caregiving responsibilities. 
 
Some of the information provided by guests came from these studies and articles:

• Many of our findings came from Greenwald Research’s Survey on The Role of Work-Life Balance & Benefits in The Great Resignation. Here are some additional insights from Greenwald:
  • “New Research Reveals Job-Seekers In Search Of Higher Pay, Work-Life Balance, and Emerging Benefits Amid the Great Resignation” 
  • Greenwald Research’s “2021 Retiree Insights”
•  “Return to Wellness After COVID-19” from Lincoln Financial Group
•  “Employers Respond to Great Resignation by Raising Pay, Improving Benefits” by SHRM

Other resources mentioned: 

• Webinar recording: “Shaping the Right Paid Leave Offering”
• Podcast: “Watch Your Language: Getting Paid Leave Policy Language Right”

 © 2022 Lincoln National Corporation. All rights reserved.  LCN-4502135-031022

We’ve been talking about and preparing for Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave, or CT PFML, for some time. Now that the program’s about to launch, we’ve taken time to dive into the final policy, identify how it differs from the preliminary information we received, and pinpoint questions that still need to be answered. On the latest Lincoln Absence Advisor podcast, Kristin Hostetter, Lincoln senior product manager, and Alexa Greenberg, Lincoln legal counsel, discuss these important aspects of CT PFML. They’ll share relevant dates you need to be aware of and address common questions about CT PFML and STD coordination, employee contributions, and more.

Resources mentioned: Preparing for 2022 Webinar

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When your company is building a paid leave policy, using the right policy language is crucial. In this Lincoln Absence Advisor podcast, we explore this topic with product manager Annie Jantz and absence consultant MacKenzie Carver. We take a detailed look at policy language – what to look for, where to find helpful input, and why it matters. This thoughtful conversation covers topics such as exclusions and inclusions, eligibility, creating clear definitions, coordination with state and federal policies, and resources that are available to help you build a policy that fulfills its intended purpose. Annie and MacKenzie will also discuss what they see as the #1 language miss that occurs when building or reviewing a paid leave policy.

Also, be sure to check out our latest webinar, Shaping the right paid leave offering, which offers more details about the importance and impact of paid leave and how to best put your company’s policy together.

© 2021 Lincoln National Corporation. All rights reserved.  LCN-3852647-100521

When you look at reasons people take leave from the workplace, do you consider eldercare and all the complexities this includes? In this episode of Lincoln Absence Advisor, Lincoln’s Joanne Archer, VP of product solutions, Michelle Curtis, product consultant for Lincoln’s life product, and Julie Frick, claims manager for group benefits, share their different experiences with eldercare.

They focus on the many needs employees may be juggling when caring for an elder family member and how those needs can shift so quickly throughout the aging process. Their stories showcase not only day-to-day needs, but also the many emotions your employees may be experiencing. Listen in to hear what employers can do to help employees that may be experiencing similar responsibilities.

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