Benefits Specialist, Absence & Accommodations

Morningstar•Chicago, IL

12d•$74,325 - $109,008•Hybrid

About The Position

Morningstar is seeking a Benefits Specialist, Absence & Accommodations to support leave of absence, disability, and workplace accommodation programs across the United States and Canada. This role serves as a key point of contact for employees navigating leaves and accommodation requests, helping ensure a positive employee experience while supporting compliance, operational excellence, and vendor performance. The position will work closely with Morningstar's leave administrator, accommodation partners, HR Business Partners, Payroll, Legal, and People teams. The ideal candidate combines strong case management skills with empathy, attention to detail, sound judgment, and a passion for improving employee experiences.

Requirements

3-7 years of experience in leave of absence, disability, accommodations, benefits administration, HR operations, or a related field.
Knowledge of FMLA, ADA, disability administration, and U.S. leave regulations.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple cases and competing priorities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to confidentiality.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

Bachelors Degree
Experience administering leave and accommodation programs in both the United States and Canada.
Experience working with third-party leave administrators and disability carriers.
Experience supporting ADA accommodations and interactive process documentation.
Experience with HRIS platforms such as Workday.
CEBS, SHRM, PHR, or related professional certification.

Responsibilities

Support administration of U.S. and Canada leave programs, including parental, medical, personal, military, disability, and statutory leave programs.
Monitor leave cases and facilitate communication between employees, managers, HR, Payroll, and third-party administrators.
Assist employees in understanding eligibility, benefit continuation, pay implications, and return-to-work processes.
Review leave administration outcomes for accuracy and escalate complex issues when appropriate.
Support implementation and ongoing administration of Morningstar's leave administration vendors and related processes.
Coordinate accommodation requests and support the interactive process in partnership with employees, managers, HR Business Partners, Legal, and external providers.
Track accommodation cases, required documentation, timelines, and follow-up activities.
Help ensure accommodation requests are handled consistently, confidentially, and in compliance with applicable laws and company policies.
Partner with stakeholders to facilitate accommodation implementation and ongoing case monitoring.
Assist with administration of programs subject to FMLA, ADA, PWFA, state leave laws, provincial requirements, disability regulations, and related employment laws.
Maintain accurate records and documentation supporting leave and accommodation decisions.
Support regulatory reporting, audits, policy updates, and compliance reviews.
Monitor legislative developments and assist in implementing required process or policy changes.
Serve as a liaison between Morningstar and third-party leave and accommodation vendors.
Track service issues, escalations, processing errors, employee complaints, and operational trends.
Support vendor meetings, reporting reviews, and issue resolution efforts.
Identify opportunities to improve employee experience, reduce manual work, and strengthen operational controls.
Respond to employee, manager, HR, and Payroll inquiries regarding leave and accommodation programs.
Develop employee-facing communications, guides, FAQs, and process documentation.
Provide thoughtful, customer-focused support during sensitive employee situations.
Partner effectively across People & Culture, Legal, Payroll, Benefits, and external vendors.

Benefits

100% 401k match up to 6% of salary
Stock Ownership Potential
Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission
Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision)
Potential premium discounts
Company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages
Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance
Trust-Based Time Off
6-week Paid Sabbatical Program
6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave
Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave
Adoption Assistance
Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses
Tuition Reimbursement
Charitable Matching Gifts program
Dollars for Doers volunteer program
Paid volunteering days
15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups