Skip to Main Content
Marsh McLennan Agency Home Page

June 12, 2025

Why Manager Training Is Essential for Successful Leave of Absence Management

Learn how proper manager training improves leave of absence compliance, supports employees, and reduces risks. Discover practical strategies to enhance your training programs.

Summary

  • Manager training is vital for effective leave of absence management.
  • Understanding leave laws helps managers support employees better.
  • Consistent training reduces compliance risks and legal exposure.
  • Use real-life scenarios and e-learning to boost training impact.
  • Marsh McLennan Agency offers support for your training needs.

Effectively managing employee leaves of absence and accommodations is a critical challenge for employers today. With evolving laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), staying informed and proactive is essential. One key area that often determines success in this complex landscape is manager training—ensuring managers have the knowledge and skills to support employees while maintaining compliance.

The importance of manager training in leave and accommodation management

Managers are often the first point of contact when employees request time off or accommodations, making their role crucial in ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws. However, the complexity of laws such as the FMLA and ADA can be overwhelming. These regulations require employers to provide leaves and reasonable accommodations while preventing retaliation and discrimination. Without proper training, managers may struggle to accurately interpret and apply these rules, which can increase compliance risks.

Common challenges in manager training

According to Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA)’s 2025 Leave of Absence and Time Away from Work Survey, manager training remains the leading pain point in leave administration. 

Key obstacles organizations face include:

  • Understanding complex requirements: Leave laws are detailed and nuanced. Managers often feel they need to master every aspect, which can cause hesitation or avoidance. In reality, managers don’t need to be experts—just familiar with the essentials to support employees effectively. 
  • Inconsistent training: Many organizations lack standardized training programs, leading to uneven knowledge and skills across management teams. 
  • Limited time and resources: Managers juggle many responsibilities, and leave management may not be a frequent task, making it hard to stay up to date. 
  • Communication difficulties: Discussing sensitive leave or accommodation needs requires skill. Many managers find these conversations challenging.

What should manager training cover?

Effective training focuses on practical, usable information rather than overwhelming details. Key topics include:

  • Basics of leave of absence and accommodations
  • Overview of covered reasons and situations
  • How to recognize a leave or accommodation request
  • High-level explanation of your company’s processes
  • Common mistakes to avoid

Importantly, training should emphasize that employees don’t need to use specific “magic words” to request leave or accommodations. Managers should listen carefully, ask open-ended questions, and guide employees to the right contacts who can help initiate the process.

Strategies for implementing effective manager training

As regulations evolve, it’s more important than ever to equip your managers with the right tools. Consider these steps:

  • Assess current knowledge: Understand your managers’ familiarity with leave laws and your company’s processes.
  • Identify training needs: Determine whether managers need full training, annual refreshers, or targeted updates.
  • Develop and deliver training: Use a mix of methods to address knowledge gaps effectively.

To enhance training impact, explore options beyond traditional classroom sessions:

  • E-learning and on-demand resources: Allow managers to learn at their own pace and revisit materials as needed.
  • Real-life scenarios: Use case studies and role-playing to build confidence and communication skills.
  • Mentorship programs: Pair less experienced managers with seasoned mentors for guidance and support.

How MMA can support your manager training efforts

Marsh McLennan Agency’s Absence, Disability, & Leave practice brings over 25 years of experience helping organizations improve leave management. We work with you to identify training gaps and develop practical programs that empower your managers to handle leave and accommodation requests with confidence and compliance.

By investing in manager training, you can help reduce compliance risks, improve employee satisfaction, and build a workplace culture that values support and understanding.

Ready to strengthen your manager training and leave administration? Contact us to learn how we can help you navigate these challenges with confidence.
 

Contributor

Placeholder Image

Jim Jantz, JD

Director of Compliance – Absence, Disability, & Life

Featured Insights

Placeholder Image

What happens when an employee exhausts their FMLA entitlement and remains unable to work?

10/21/2025

Understand FMLA and ADA rules when employees exhaust The Family and Medical Leave Act.
Placeholder Image

Maine PFML Guide: What Employers Need to Know About Paid Family and Medical Leave

08/13/2025

Your guide to Maine PFML: understand eligibility, application processes, and key dates for employees and employers.
Placeholder Image

Cost impacts of insourcing or outsourcing leave administration

07/15/2025

Explore leave administration costs and options to improve compliance and employee experience.

Services

Quick Links

Company

© $[dateValue]$ Marsh & McLennan Agency