As 2026 inches closer, HR teams are gearing up for another year of shifting regulations, operational challenges, and rising expectations from employees. Many leaders are taking a closer look at their leave programs as part of that planning. We spoke with Jessi Johanson, Chief Revenue Officer at Tilt, to get her perspective on how HR can get ahead, why AI is becoming part of the discussion, and what matters most when building a clear and confident leave strategy for the year ahead.
Leave Compliance Trends HR Teams Should Watch in 2026
As leaders in HR know, leave management continues to grow more complicated each year. Johanson shared that, “Leave is only getting more complex, and that complexity won’t slow down in the year ahead.”
New state paid family leave programs, including Minnesota’s recent launch, are shaping how organizations structure internal processes and policies. Johanson encourages HR teams to lay the groundwork now. “This is the time for HR teams to proactively define how leave will be handled so they’re prepared rather than reactive.”
Clear policies and reliable workflows help reduce administrative stress and support both HR and employees as organizations enter the new year.
AI Adoption in HR and How It Supports Leave Management
AI continues to be a major focus, and HR teams are seeing its potential to make their work more efficient and freeing. Johanson notes that, “Tilt’s embedded AI solutions directly support these initiatives and help unlock operational efficiencies and innovation across the business.”
With the right tools, AI can streamline internal leave management processes, simplify communication, and even strengthen the case for staffing and budget planning. This frees HR to focus on meaningful work instead of repetitive tasks.
How Tilt Uses AI To Elevate the Employee Experience
A large portion of the workforce isn’t sitting behind a desk, which creates unique challenges when employees need to request or update a leave. Johanson explained, “Many employees aren’t desk-bound. They work in retail, manufacturing, healthcare, or hospitality. For them, our leave management platform may not always be a practical way to request or change a leave.”
Tilley Voice gives employees an easy way to manage their leave. Whether they need to make a new request or make adjustments to an existing leave, Tilley Voice ensures on-the-go employees have access anytime, anywhere. As Johanson describes it, “Tilley Voice lets employees interact with Tilt via the phone, on their schedule. The AI is sophisticated, so employees don’t feel like they’re talking to a robot, yet human support is available when needed.”
AI Is a Supporter—Not a Decision maker
While AI can simplify many tasks, HR teams often want reassurance that sensitive decisions are still made by people. Johanson is very clear about Tilt’s approach. “Our Tilley suite supports HR efficiency, provides insights, and enhances the employee experience, but it never decides whether leave is approved or denied.”
This gives HR the confidence that compliance and consistency will stay in their control while AI reduces the administrative lift.
The Future of AI at Tilt and What HR Can Expect
Tilt is continuing to expand its AI capabilities in ways that support HR without losing the human elements that employees rely on. Johanson shared, “AI adoption is accelerating across industries, and Tilt is moving quickly to leverage it across the entire platform.” She also noted that, “AI will make Tilt smarter, more proactive, and more user-friendly, while maintaining the empathetic, human-first approach we’re known for.”
HR teams can expect faster responses, better insights, and tools that help them plan and manage work more smoothly.
What HR Leaders Should Prioritize Before 2026 Arrives
As HR teams map out next year’s goals, one of Johanson’s final reminders is the importance of understanding how current policies compare to best practices. “Benchmark your policies and understand how your leave programs stack up. Data and insights are critical as teams plan ahead, especially as leave continues to grow more complex.” A clear understanding of the current landscape helps HR stay proactive and prepare for whatever the next year brings.
Strengthen Your Leave Strategy Today
Leave management continues to evolve as HR teams balance compliance needs, employee expectations, and organizational priorities heading into 2026. Johanson’s insights highlight the value of early preparation, thoughtful AI adoption, and reliable policies that support both employees and HR. With the right tools and planning in place, People leaders can move into next year feeling more equipped and confident in the leave experience they’re delivering.
Tilt is leading the charge in all things leave of absence management through easy-to-use tech and human touch. Since 2017, our proprietary platform and Empathy Warriors have been helping customers make leave not suck by eliminating administrative burdens, keeping companies compliant, and providing a truly positive and supportive leave of absence experience for their people.
