In episode 122 of Healthy Work, we sit down with Dr. Liza Barnes, Assistant Professor of Management at Drexel University, to discuss a critical but often overlooked workplace issue: medical leaves of absence.
When employees face a serious health challenge, whether it’s cancer treatment, a mental health crisis, an autoimmune disease flare-up, or a major injury, medical leave should provide the time and security needed to recover. Yet, many employees find themselves navigating a confusing system of policies, financial uncertainty, and workplace pressure while trying to heal. Dr. Barnes shares insights from interviews with employees who took medical leave and HR professionals responsible for managing those leaves. The findings reveal that having a leave policy is not enough—the way leave is implemented can dramatically affect employee well-being and recovery.
You can find Dr. Barnes here: https://www.lebow.drexel.edu/people/liza-barnes-phd
You can find her paper here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2027-54690-001
