HR Leave Specialist

Summary:

The Leave Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day administration and coordination of all leave of absence programs including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act as amended (ADA), short-term & long-term disability, paid state leaves, military leave, and other company-sponsored programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Administers all leave programs, including family and medical leave of absence, short-term disability, paid state leaves, military leaves, parental leave, worker's compensation, and other company-sponsored programs

• Creates and maintains accurate and compliant tracking, recordkeeping, reporting of leave data

• Collaborates with the Payroll Department and third-party vendor to ensure employees are paid accurately while on a leave of absence (when applicable)

• Communicates with employees regarding their needs for leave and/or modified work schedules

• Maintains reasonable communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; relays communication between employees and site managers during leave

• Ensures employee benefits are terminated in accordance with Company policies and COBRA is issued as required

• Advises and educates employees on leave policies, procedures, and programs

• Interprets and administers leave programs and policies in accordance with applicable federal and state employment laws

• Maintains oversight of third-party leave administrator to ensure claims are being processed timely and accurately

• Ensures discrepancies/escalations are resolved timely

• Ensures weekly interface is delivered to and processed by third-party leave vendor

• Reviews and resolves file discrepancies timely

• Meets regularly with HR Experience Partners to review claims status and updates on employee absences, utilizing data from the third-party administrator's system

• Monitors the interactive process related to ADA by the third-party vendor

• Responds to the vendor's requests for data

• Communicates status updates with managers and site leaders

• Collaborates with Management, General Counsel, Site Leaders, and other stakeholders to improve processes and procedures and ensure compliance with return-to-work modifications and accommodations

• Responds to internal inquiries via [HR Ticketing System], emails, and voicemails

• Stays updated on regulatory changes to FMLA, state disability programs, and other related programs to ensure the organization's compliance

• Recommends any necessary adjustments to policies or procedures

• Ensures administration related to the integration of acquired companies occurs timely and accurately

• Conducts training for site managers and HR Experience Partners to provide education on leave of absence procedures, internal procedures, best practices

• Ensures plan documents and other communication materials are updated and accurate information is made available to employees through multiple resources such as internal systems and vendor portal

• Coordinates the development and implementation of the department SOPs

• Applies independent decision making while assisting in interpretation or clarification of certain Federal and State leave policies and regulations

• Provide support to the Benefits team on projects and other ad-hoc requests as needed, and support general inquiries on all benefit plans during peak periods and open enrollment

• Preserves confidentiality of employee health and benefits information

• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Required Qualifications:

Licensure, Education, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources and a minimum of two (2) years of experience administering multi-state leave of absence and ADA programs

• In lieu of a bachelor's degree, a minimum of five (5) years of experience administering multi-state leave of absence and ADA programs

• Working knowledge of FMLA and State sponsored paid leave programs

Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills

• Independent contributor with a collaborative approach to business

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.