Leave of Absence Specialist

The Guitar Center Company•Westlake Village, CA

14h•$70,000 - $76,000

About The Position

The Leave of Absence Specialist is responsible for administering leave of absence programs, workplace accommodations, and workers’ compensation claims across all Guitar Center business channels. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while delivering a positive and supportive employee experience. The specialist will serve as the primary point of contact for employees and managers regarding leave and accommodation processes, providing guidance, tracking, and case management to support both business continuity and employee well-being. Leave & Accommodation Administration Administer the full cycle of leaves of absence, including FMLA, state-specific leaves, ADA accommodations, personal leaves, and other company-sponsored programs. Partner with employees, managers, and HR Business Partners to provide guidance on leave eligibility, process requirements, and return-to-work transitions. Coordinate reasonable accommodations under ADA, working closely with employees, leadership, and legal as needed. Maintain accurate records and ensure timely documentation and communication throughout the leave process. Compliance & Reporting Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local leave laws, including FMLA, ADA, state paid family leave programs, and workers’ compensation regulations. Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information and ensure adherence to HIPAA and data privacy requirements. Generate reports and dashboards on leave trends, utilization, and compliance metrics for HR and business leaders. Employee Experience & Service Delivery Provide exceptional customer service and empathetic support to employees navigating leaves and accommodations. Serve as a resource for managers to ensure business continuity while supporting employee needs. Continuously improve processes and resources to enhance efficiency and the employee experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
2–4 years of experience administering leaves of absence, accommodations, preferably in a multi-state environment.
Strong knowledge of federal and state leave laws, and ADA regulations
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and case management skills.
Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
Experience with HRIS and leave administration systems

Nice To Haves

HR or leave management certification (e.g., CLMS, SHRM-CP, SPHR).
Experience working in a multi-unit, nationwide organization with complex leave and accommodation needs.

Responsibilities

Administer the full cycle of leaves of absence, including FMLA, state-specific leaves, ADA accommodations, personal leaves, and other company-sponsored programs.
Partner with employees, managers, and HR Business Partners to provide guidance on leave eligibility, process requirements, and return-to-work transitions.
Coordinate reasonable accommodations under ADA, working closely with employees, leadership, and legal as needed.
Maintain accurate records and ensure timely documentation and communication throughout the leave process.
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local leave laws, including FMLA, ADA, state paid family leave programs, and workers’ compensation regulations.
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information and ensure adherence to HIPAA and data privacy requirements.
Generate reports and dashboards on leave trends, utilization, and compliance metrics for HR and business leaders.
Provide exceptional customer service and empathetic support to employees navigating leaves and accommodations.
Serve as a resource for managers to ensure business continuity while supporting employee needs.
Continuously improve processes and resources to enhance efficiency and the employee experience.