Benefits Specialist, Leaves & Disability Programs

Hebrew SeniorLife•Roslindale, MA

1d•$63,467 - $95,201

About The Position

Reporting to the Manager, Employee Benefits & Wellbeing will have a strong knowledge of leave administration policies and a proven track record of managing employee absences. They will be responsible for ensuring an accurate and timely leave process for all of HSL. Working closely with the Human Resources, Occupational Health, and Legal teams, the Benefits Specialist will lead the FMLA, PFML, PLA, ADA, Workers’ Compensation, and disability programs management and ensure consistency and compliance with applicable leave of absence laws across all HSL sites. Under the direction of the Director, Total Rewards, the Benefits Specialist is also responsible for the day-to-day administration and maintenance of a variety of benefits programs. The Benefits Analyst and will conduct analysis, recommend changes, and implement and communicate new benefits programs. I.Position Responsibilities: Responsible for the administration Leave of Absence policies, STD/FMLA and LTD policies and practices within federal and state regulations and reviews all requested leaves of absence. Ensures that leave and disability forms and summaries are kept up-to-date. Creates and maintains leave of absence and disability records and files to ensure accurate and timely information and documentation Complete and track all related paperwork for employees on LOA. Ensures compliance with FMLA, PFML, PLA, ADA and state laws, and ensure consistency of practices across all HSL sites Coordinate absence management with Occupational Health, insurance carriers, attorneys, employees, and managers Coordinate employees’ return to work and collaborate with disability carrier Represent HSL at workers’ compensation litigation hearings as needed Work through any and all short term/long term disability claim issues with carrier and employee until completion Report metrics and facilitate discussion on specific recurring trends and make recommendations to management Contributes to the development of benefits communications and training initiatives, and updates to benefits self-service HRIS modules and internal websites Provides leave and disability subject matter expertise, resolves complex issues, and escalates issues to the appropriate resource. Under the direction of the Director, Total Rewards, assists with the coordination of Annual Benefits Fair and Open Enrollment communication and initiatives. Evaluate effectiveness of communication strategy to recommend and implement enhancements to increase employee understanding and awareness of benefits Act as resource for other HSL locations in explaining and promoting benefit programs. Provide support for other locations during open enrollment period to ensure consistent benefit processing across all sites Assist with preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefit programs Participate in annual benefit renewal negotiation process including analysis of various cost sharing strategies Complete payments to benefit providers by researching and reconciling employee and carrier reports, requesting benefit payments, and reconciling benefits accounts. Partners with HRIS team to ensure all benefits eligibility rules, rates and administrative rules are properly configured in Workday and all integrations are working as expected. Perform regular audits of benefits data to ensure accuracy and compliance. Partners with the Payroll Team to ensure accurate payments for employees on leaves Works with the benefits team to ensure benefits in arrears payments are captured timely. Is an active member of the Safety Committee and makes recommendations for a safer workplace. Works with members and TPA to introduce cost savings initiatives that return employees to work as soon as able.

Requirements

BA/BS, preferably in Human Resources
5-7 years related experience, preferably in leave administration
Knowledge of FMLA, PFML, PLA, ADA, worker’s compensation and related laws
Knowledge of HR practices and principles
Ability to reengineer and document your day-to-day processes to increase speed, efficiency, and effectiveness, proficient in manipulating data to support decision making.
Knowledge and skill in functions/processes of a HRIS system, ATS, onboarding, employee administrative information, time and attendance, payroll and employee termination
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products required
To be successful in this role, the candidate must possess excellent communication, organizational and problem-solving skills.
They should also have an advanced understanding of employment laws and regulations that impact the leave process.
We are looking for a motivated individual who can work effectively in a fast-paced environment and is committed to providing excellent customer service.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the administration Leave of Absence policies, STD/FMLA and LTD policies and practices within federal and state regulations and reviews all requested leaves of absence.
Ensures that leave and disability forms and summaries are kept up-to-date.
Creates and maintains leave of absence and disability records and files to ensure accurate and timely information and documentation
Complete and track all related paperwork for employees on LOA.
Ensures compliance with FMLA, PFML, PLA, ADA and state laws, and ensure consistency of practices across all HSL sites
Coordinate absence management with Occupational Health, insurance carriers, attorneys, employees, and managers
Coordinate employees’ return to work and collaborate with disability carrier
Represent HSL at workers’ compensation litigation hearings as needed
Work through any and all short term/long term disability claim issues with carrier and employee until completion
Report metrics and facilitate discussion on specific recurring trends and make recommendations to management
Contributes to the development of benefits communications and training initiatives, and updates to benefits self-service HRIS modules and internal websites
Provides leave and disability subject matter expertise, resolves complex issues, and escalates issues to the appropriate resource.
Under the direction of the Director, Total Rewards, assists with the coordination of Annual Benefits Fair and Open Enrollment communication and initiatives.
Evaluate effectiveness of communication strategy to recommend and implement enhancements to increase employee understanding and awareness of benefits
Act as resource for other HSL locations in explaining and promoting benefit programs.
Provide support for other locations during open enrollment period to ensure consistent benefit processing across all sites
Assist with preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefit programs
Participate in annual benefit renewal negotiation process including analysis of various cost sharing strategies
Complete payments to benefit providers by researching and reconciling employee and carrier reports, requesting benefit payments, and reconciling benefits accounts.
Partners with HRIS team to ensure all benefits eligibility rules, rates and administrative rules are properly configured in Workday and all integrations are working as expected.
Perform regular audits of benefits data to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Partners with the Payroll Team to ensure accurate payments for employees on leaves
Works with the benefits team to ensure benefits in arrears payments are captured timely.
Is an active member of the Safety Committee and makes recommendations for a safer workplace.
Works with members and TPA to introduce cost savings initiatives that return employees to work as soon as able.