Jen Henderson is a former Fortune 500 leader who lost two promotions after announcing her pregnancies, so she set out to fix the broken leave systems that failed her—founding Tilt and becoming an expert in policy, compliance, and employee care. In this session, she shows business leaders why modern, inclusive leave programs are both a moral and financial imperative.Leave Usage Has Skyrocketed—and It’s Not Slowing Down

• Annual leave has doubled post-COVID, now affecting 15% of employees each year. It’s no longer a rare event.
• With 13 states now mandating paid leave (and more updating annually), staying compliant requires ongoing attention.
• Mental health, loss, caregiving, and non-traditional family structures are driving demand—these are now core parts of employee expectations.

Stop Treating Leave as a Cost—Start Treating It as Strategy

• Employees are more likely to stay and perform when they feel supported during life’s hardest moments. Paid leave delivers real ROI.
• Move past the one-size-fits-all “3-month maternity leave.” Real lives require flexible policies that account for grief, illness, caregiving, and more.
• A strong leave program reduces turnover, protects your employer brand, and builds loyalty—all at a lower cost than constant rehiring.

Standardize to Avoid the “Manager Jackpot”

• Whether leave goes smoothly shouldn’t depend on how good your manager is. Consistent processes ensure fair, supportive experiences.
• Give managers plug-and-play tools: timelines, approved language, and answers to common questions so they feel confident and prepared.
• Automate the paperwork, but keep real human support for complex, emotional moments like loss or pregnancy complications.

Build a Leave Program That’s Ready for What’s Next

• Audit your current policies—fill gaps around mental health, caregiving, and loss.
• Ask employees who’ve recently taken leave what worked and what didn’t—then fix the friction.
• Don’t wait to scale: even one employee in a paid-leave state requires policy compliance. Use tools that keep pace with shifting laws.

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