Sedgwick Flags Rising Mental Health Claims, AI Disruption in Workforce Absence Report
Event summary
- Sedgwick published its 2026 Workforce Absence and Disability Trends Report on January 29, 2026, highlighting key 2025 trends and 2026 predictions.
- Report identifies rising mental health claims, AI adoption, and evolving generational workforce needs as top 2025 trends.
- Predictions include expansion of state-level paid family and medical leave (PFML) and changes to the Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act.
- Sedgwick operates with 33,000 colleagues and 10,000 clients across 80 countries.
The big picture
Sedgwick's report underscores the growing complexity of workforce absence management amid regulatory uncertainty and technological disruption. As mental health claims surge and AI reshapes processes, employers face mounting pressure to balance compliance with employee well-being. The report positions Sedgwick as a key advisor in navigating these challenges, particularly as state-level regulations diverge in the absence of federal mandates.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Shifts
- How state-level PFML expansions will impact employer compliance costs and workforce policies.
- AI Integration
- Whether Sedgwick's AI-enabled solutions can mitigate risks while improving absence management efficiency.
- Mental Health Trends
- The pace at which mental health claims will continue rising and its long-term impact on productivity.
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