Mental Health Drives Increase in Employee Leave Requests in 2024

1 minute read

According to the 2025 State of Leave and Accommodations report from AbsenceSoft, employee leave requests rose for the third year in 2024, with illness recovery leading at 57% and mental health issues at 47%. Other top reasons included caregiving, bereavement, and pregnancy. Mental health conditions were the top reason employees sought job accommodations.

Key Findings

The AbsenceSoft report revealed key trends and challenges HR professionals encounter with leave and accommodations. Notable findings include:

• In 2024, remote work topped the list of requested accommodations, followed by intermittent leave, additional breaks, specialized equipment, and workspace changes.
• Both employers and employees seek a clear, streamlined process for leave and accommodation requests.
• A positive leave or accommodation experiences enhance motivation, productivity, and loyalty, while negative ones can make employees feel undervalued and unsupported.
• In 2025, nearly one-third of employers will add new paid leave benefits, with paid medical and parental leave being the most common.

Employer Takeaway

The report indicates a rise in leave and accommodations. Employers should be prepared to meet employee needs and adhere to regulations. Download the bulletin for more details.