General Description: Manage USI’s leave of absence program, from initial notice of the need for leave through the return to work, together with contracted vendor partner. Approximately 75% of time is spent providing consultative support and the remaining 25% on ensuring accurate, timely payment of benefits.
Responsibilities:
· Liaise with employee, local HR/management, and vendor partner when the need for a leave of absence arises.
· Act as consultative partner in managing leaves:
o Serve as first point of contact for employees seeking a leave of absence. Assist employees in resolving open items with USI’s disability provider to certify and extend leaves.
o Respond to inquiries from employees and management on all state/municipal sponsored disability/paid leave claims.
o Provide guidance to employees to help them understand their pay while on leave.
o Coordinate with local HR/management to develop modified work schedules or plan return to work.
o Provide all leave of absence letters and written correspondence to employees and HR liaisons.
o Manage reasonable accommodations requests and facilitate determinations.
o Resolve complex leave issues using in-depth knowledge of leaves and policy.
o Manage intermittent leave time and disabled-and-working arrangements.
o Recommend changes to leave and benefit policies to ensure the company is compliant with federal, state, and local laws and keeping pace with best practices.
o Maintain knowledge of state paid family leave changes.
· Ensure accurate, timely payment of benefits:
o Manage state disability and paid family leave offsets.
o Work with Payroll to ensure accurate leave payments and timecards.
o Monitor and track absence status and return to work planning. Update system information as necessary.
o Maintain records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices.
· Preserve confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files.
· Maintain up-to-date knowledge of trends and best practices.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
· 4-6 years of experience in employee benefits and leave management.
· Bachelor’s degree required.
· Comprehensive understanding of employee benefits as they relate to leave of absence. Includes short/long term disability, and state disability pay.
· Working knowledge of employment, federal and state employment laws, and regulations.
· Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
· Self-motivated. Ability to multi-task in a fast paced, team environment.
· Strong attention to detail.
· Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
· Strong client service skills and respect for confidential participant information.
· Ability to set priorities and manage workflow to ensure efficient, timely, and accurate processing of transactions.
Physical Demands:
Work is performed in a climate-controlled office environment with minimal noise and limited to no exposure to chemicals or toxins. Employees operate office equipment including telephone headset, computer, computer monitors, keyboard, mouse, copier, scanner, and mail machine. Physical tasks of job include driving, walking, sitting, standing, bending, and typing.
Analysis of Physical Demands:
· Constantly (over 66% of time) work performed requires employees to use repetitive hand motions such as typing, using a keyboard, and sitting at a desk.
· Frequently (34%-66% of time) work performed requires employees to handle and grasp things, walk on normal surfaces, stand, and bend.
· Frequently (34%-66% of time) work performed requires employees to drive to client appointments, have repetitive foot movements, walk on uneven or slippery surfaces to and from work and occasionally reach outward to grab things and bend.
· Rarely (< than 1 hour per week) work performed requires lifting/carrying items that range from 10-50lbs, pushing/pulling items that range from 10-50lbs, twisting/turning including reaching over shoulder or above head, kneeling or squatting.
