Leave of Absence Specialist

The Leave of Absence Specialist plays a critical role in supporting our most valuable asset—its people. This position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of our leave of absence programs, including FMLA, parental leave, disability benefits, and workers’ compensation. This role ensures a seamless and supportive experience for team members during pivotal life moments by combining regulatory knowledge, operational accuracy, and empathetic communication.

Key Responsibilities:

Leave of Absence Management

• Administer and manage all LOA programs (FMLA, personal leave, parental leave, etc.).
• Serve as the primary point of contact for team members and managers regarding leave policies and procedures.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of leave requests and associated documentation.
• Maintain accurate records in compliance with federal, state, and internal policies.
• Collaborate with Payroll to ensure correct leave coding for timesheets and payroll processing.
• Escalate complex or sensitive leave cases to the Senior Manager of HR for guidance and resolution.

Disability Benefits Administration

• Coordinate short-term and long-term disability (STD, LTD, IDI) claims with third-party administrators.
• Communicate with team members, healthcare providers, and insurers to facilitate claims and planning.
• Monitor claim status and support return-to-work processes.
• Assist with annual renewal and reconciliation of individual disability income (IDI) policies.
• Review plan documents and internal policies to identify discrepancies and suggest improvements.

Workers’ Compensation

• Manage workers’ compensation claims from incident reporting through resolution.
• Provide timely and clear communication to team members regarding leave status and next steps.
• Coordinate with Payroll for appropriate pay adjustments and leave coding.
• Liaise with carriers, medical providers, and internal stakeholders.
• Track incidents and maintain OSHA/state-specific regulatory compliance.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (preferred).
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in LOA, disability, and workers’ compensation administration (multi-state experience preferred).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of federal and state leave laws
• Proficiency in administering disability and workers’ compensation plans.
• Familiarity with HRIS and leave management systems (preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet management.
• Excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• High level of discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently while navigating sensitive or complex issues.