We asked HR business decision-makers to rate their organization's absence and disability practices. We also wanted to know their confidence in managing absence and disability. We compiled their scores to produce our Absence and Disability Readiness Index. 

The results show most employers are performing at a B- level, with many employers scoring a C, D or F. Check out the following insights from our survey and use the resources provided to better your own grade.

1 IN 4 employers

see themselves as leaders when it comes to absence and disability management.

What Are Employers Getting Right?

say their formal programs are very successful.

say that employee absence programs help control other costs and reduce exposure to risk.

are compliant with current disability laws and are committed to remaining compliant.

Because of this, more than half of employers perceive the risk of absence-related complaints or lawsuits as low. However, there’s more to look at when considering an organization’s absence and disability management strategy.

Why Aren’t Employers Making Straight A’s?

Programs aren’t being measured or tracked

with formal employee 
absence programs 
benchmark those programs

with formal employee 
disability programs 
benchmark those programs

Laws are changing faster than employers can keep up

Organizations aren’t confident in providing employees with complex accommodations

ARE CONFIDENT IN ACCOMMODATING 
MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. 

ARE CONFIDENT IN ACCOMMODATING  
CHRONIC DISEASE CONDITIONS. 

BUT, MORE THAN HALF OF COMPANIES DON'T HAVE FORMAL PROTOCOLS IN PLACE FOR RTW AND SAW PROGRAMS. 

struggle to know what counts as an "undue hardship" for them as an employer.

say that with so many absence and disability laws and guidelinesit is hard to know which ones apply.

How to Make the Grade

Introducing a disability management approach that provides comprehensive return-to-work and stay-at-work support can help increase an employer’s grade. 

These programs don’t just provide the basics and ensure compliance. They go further to help provide tailored support for employees to help them stay healthy and productive in the workplace.   

Download the full report to learn more about how to improve your organization’s approach to disability and absence management.

The Standard is a marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and subsidiaries. Insurance products are offered by Standard Insurance Company of 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, Oregon, in all states except New York, where insurance products are offered by The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York of 360 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 210, White Plains, New York. Product features and availability vary by state and company and are solely the responsibility of each subsidiary. Each company is solely responsible for its own financial condition. Standard Insurance Company is licensed to solicit insurance business in all states except New York. The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York is licensed to solicit insurance business in only the state of New York. 

All insights are from an online survey of 501 participants conducted by Versta for The Standard in April 2018. 

20588

(3/19) SI/SNY