Managing the FMLA manually has always been challenging, but rising leave volumes are pushing many HR teams to the breaking point. In our 2025 State of Leave and Accommodations Report, HR leaders identified FMLA compliance, especially eligibility calculations and documentation, as a top area of concern.
When compliance depends on manual tracking, email chains, and busy managers, the risk of errors grows with every new case. Rising caseloads are compounding the problem. In our report, 57% of employers reported an increase in FMLA requests this year. As volumes continue to climb, even small gaps in process can quickly escalate into compliance risks.
To protect your organization and reduce administrative strain, here are three proven strategies:
- Offer convenient, streamlined self-service .
A self-service portal lets employees submit leave requests, upload documentation, and check their case status from any device. This cuts back-and-forth with HR, speeds up response times, and gives employees clarity without increasing your workload. - Standardize policies and processes .
When processes vary by person or team, even strong HR departments can miss steps. A standardized, trackable workflow ensures that eligibility decisions, notices, and deadlines are handled consistently. Built-in templates and policy libraries can help you personalize the experience while staying compliant. - Automate everything you can .
Automate eligibility checks, form generation, reminders, and return-to-work tracking. Workflows should prompt next steps and enforce timelines so your team doesn’t have to rely on memory or manual to-do lists. Even small automations add up fast when case volumes are high.
If your team is looking for ways to modernize FMLA management, whether through process improvements, technology, or both, check out the additional resources below for practical guidance, real-world tips, and examples.
Response Provided by: Seth Turner, Founder and Senior Advisor, AbsenceSoft
Sponsored by: This FAQ Friday was sponsored by AbsenceSoft
