Guardian offers new paid leave benefit rider

Guardian Life announced the launch of its paid leave benefit rider to its short-term disability policies.

The expansion of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) programs in various states across the U.S. is fueling a demand for paid leave as a standard employee benefit. However, just 27% of Americans currently have such access. In states without mandated PFML programs, Guardian’s new paid leave benefit rider will help expand coverage for a variety of paid leaves. In turn, employers can offer benefits that help attract and retain talent, meet their employees’ financial and well-being needs, and provide equal access across their workforce.

Additionally, Guardian’s paid leave benefit rider helps provide employers with flexibility, including the option of whether to only offer parental bonding leave or extend coverage to include family care. If family care is selected, the rider covers an expanded array of leave types, including leaves associated with a military exigency or to respond to the impacts of domestic violence and abuse—the latter of which is not always included in paid leave offerings.

Currently available in 30 states and counting, Guardian’s paid leave benefit rider is the industry’s most widely available offering. With the addition of the rider, Guardian also offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive short-term disability plans that includes a suite of caregiver-focused support and resources.

“No two caregivers have the same experience, and Guardian is committed to supporting our members wherever they are on their journey,” said Jessica Vanscavish, Head of Disability, Absence, Life, and Supplemental Health at Guardian. “For those who might be embarking on this chapter, it can be a significant transition. Having access to paid family leave coverage is one of the best ways we can support caregivers and their well-being, across mind, body, and wallet.”

The addition of the paid leave benefit rider comes on the heels of other recent caregiver-focused enhancements by Guardian. In June, Guardian announced a new partnership with Wellthy, becoming the first insurer to include caregiving support services—including access to a care concierge, digital planning tools, and an online peer-to-peer knowledge sharing space—in employer-provided disability offerings. Guardian also recently partnered with Osara Health to become the first insurer to include cancer support services in Group long-term disability insurance and offer it at scale. Through Guardian’s integrated disability claims management process, members diagnosed with cancer have access to a dedicated health coach, personalized weekly digital education modules and motivational articles, and the broader Osara Health app.

For more information about Guardian’s paid leave benefit rider, please visit: https://www.guardianlife.com/group/disability-insurance/paid-leave-benefit-rider