HR Leave Specialist (Remote)

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 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.

· Works with benefits team to ensure employee benefits are terminated in accordance with Company policies.

· 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. Ensure 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 Business 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 Business 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.

· Preserves confidentiality of employee health and benefits information.

· Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Required Qualifications

Licensure, Education, & Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field or a minimum of five (5) years experience in leave administration.

· A minimum of five (5) years 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

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

· Excellent oral and written communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills Independent contributor with a collaborative approach to business

· A working knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning

· Ability to problem solve by gathering and analyzing information

· Ability to handle a crisis situation and react appropriately

· A working knowledge of local, state and federal standards

· A working knowledge of personnel information systems

· Excellent financial and analytical expertise

· Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel and similar platforms

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb stairs, stand, walk, stoop, twist, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/ or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet & indoors. This position will be scheduled based on operational need & will be required to provide own transportation. Incumbent may be exposed to virus, disease, and/or infection from clients in the work environment. Incumbent may be exposed to traumatic situations (i.e. psychiatric).