Editor’s Note

The pandemic-led challenges have compelled organizations around the globe to chart out fast and unparalleled policy responses. And several paid sick leave reforms have often been part of this action. This is important as paid sick leave helps employees stay at home to address their health needs without losing pay. An employer should familiarize itself with the paid sick leave law(s) for the state or municipality in which it conducts business, or has employees working in. However, this can be a daunting task, as each law has its own standards regarding which employees are covered, which employers must comply, how employers must comply and more.
 

To learn about the changed leave laws of various states, leave expectations of employees today, addressing workplace stress and more, read this edition of Employee Benefits & Wellness Excellence.

On the cover, we have Melissa Silver’s article, The Changing Landscape Of Paid Sick Leave In The Covid-19 Era that focuses on paid sick leave laws and policies and its impact on employees. The concern with the patchwork of sick leave laws popping up across the country is, of course, ensuring compliance, particularly for companies that operate in multiple locations. According to Melissa, employers need to do a lot of homework and fully understand all the nuances before implementing any policies or practices regarding sick leave.

Since March 29, 2021, employers are required to provide California employees a new form of Covid-19 supplemental paid sick leave. Read Jeffrey S. Horton Thomas’s article California’s New Covid-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Law to learn more about this law.

Did you know that in 2021, nearly 75% of employees reported changes in weight, and 80% reported changes in sleep due to increased work stress? April is Stress Awareness Month, and according to the American Psychological Association (APA), Americans have many reasons to be stressed about work, including factors related to the pandemic. Dr. Reed Erickson’s article, The Importance Of Addressing Workplace Stress helps you understand how unhealthy coping mechanisms and a lack of employer support can impact an employee’s health drastically. 

This year, flu-related medical visits have dropped by about 50 percent, with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) accounting for just over 1 percent of all medical visits – in a typical year, ILI visits account for about 2.6 percent of all medical visits. Read Dr. Dena Nader’s article What A Mild 2020-2021 Flu Season Means For Employers to understand why this decrease may have occurred and how you can assist your employees in staying healthy for the rest of 2021.
 
In brief, this edition will update you on various leave policies and employee health and wellness strategies that can help create a healthier environment for employees, now and in the future.

We hope you enjoy reading all the articles and get back to us with your valuable feedback.

Stay Safe!  
 

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