SPECIALIST - EMP RELATIONS

Hard Rock International (USA), Inc.•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

This position is responsible for both the administrative technical work in the implementation and administration of day to day operations of group benefits programs for team members including health, dental, vision, long-term disability, long-term care, and life insurance and individual programs and for the daily administration of Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati leaves of absence programs in compliance with federal, state and local leave laws and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Specialist - Employee Relations also provides excellent guest service by serving as a resource to Hard Rock Cincinnati team members concerning employee benefits information, insurance plans, options, guidelines and procedures. This position performs various administrative duties related to benefits including planning and conducting orientations for new team members regarding insurance benefits and yearly open enrollments, on-going enrollments and changes; monitoring and coordinating payroll deductions and adjustments. Additionally, this position will manage short-term and long-term disability including claims, and supplemental income. The Specialist - Employee Relations is expected to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to team members, efficient and effective departmental operations, and an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Must possess excellent organizational skills, strong project management skills, and good interpersonal skills.
Good judgment and tact with sensitive and confidential information/issues/situations
Aptitude and willingness to work with complex procedures
Full proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint required.
Polite professional demeanor and appearance.
Timely follow-through and attention to detail on all projects.
Ability to work with diverse customers/applicants.
Ability to maintain a flexible working attitude, while performing job duties in stressful situations or handling complex communication.
Meets the attendance guidelines of the job and adheres to the regulatory, departmental and company policies.
Must be able to work a flexible schedule and demonstrates commitment to teamwork.
Must be able to professionally handle sensitive information and maintain complete confidentiality.
Must be a creative, high energy, hands on professional who can successfully multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Must have the ability to uphold and demonstrate the highest level of integrity in all situations and recognize standards required by a regulated business.
Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field or equivalent combination of education and additional years of experience preferred.
2 – 4 years’ experience in and knowledge of all FMLA laws and regulations.
2 - 3 years’ experience with Benefits Administration to include medical and dental plans, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, life, AD&D, short and long term disability.
Knowledge of various laws such as ERISA, ACA, etc.
Excellent communication and guest service skills

Responsibilities

Provides verbal and written information to team members regarding the various employee insurance and benefits plans and applicable procedures
Provides information to team members concerning health insurance policies and procedures; responds to inquiries regarding payment of claims and clarifies plan benefits
Assists individual team members with insurance problems such as claims inquiries, appeals investigations, and coverage details
Responsible for written notification and collection of past due insurance premiums from team members.
Responsible for keeping up-to-date with ongoing changes of ACA and or any other federal laws or mandates to ensure compliance, as well as being responsible for notifying team members at risk for losing health coverage and notifying team members who may become eligible for healthcare coverage.
Processes various forms and documents between team members and insurance providers such as applications for coverage, addition of new dependents, new enrollments under dependent coverage, change in coverage, and terminations
Performs additions and deletions of enrollment through direct interface with various carriers' portals.
Audits carriers' records for errors and inconsistencies and directs corrections
Conducts new team member orientation and annual open enrollment for insurance benefits.
Manages the Team Member Wellness Program.
Responsible for Wellness related communications and marketing. Facilitate internal and external communications and reporting.
Manages all leave of absence processes from the commencement of leave to return from leave or separation of employment.
Serves as primary point of contact for leave of absence and oversee the administration by third-party leave administrator UNUM.
Provide information and guidance to team members regarding leave policies and requesting and applying for leave.
Directs team members to contact UNUM for leave administration.
Monitor claims status and perform necessary follow-up with UNUM, team members and team leaders.
Track leave expiration/exhaustion ensuring appropriate notifications are sent to team members and team leaders.
Work with team members who are returning from extended periods of leave on a reintegration plan as appropriate.
Oversee leave accommodations and work restrictions under the American with Disabilities Act.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills in assigned areas through professional reading, research and other professional development opportunities, recommend process and procedure updates and improvements as necessary, and implement same.
Ensures tracking reports for Leave of Absence are updated and distributed to management team.
Trains team leaders on FMLA basics, lifecycle of an FMLA event and Americans with Disabilities Act; managing leaves and company policy integration
Assists with updating company policy manuals for local application; ensures all Handbook Acknowledgement forms are signed and collected from team members
Handles all leaves in accordance with all Collective Bargaining Agreement requirements
Handles difficult, sensitive situations that require discretionary thinking and decision-making.
Handles various team member issues with confidentiality, using problem-solving skills as required.
Organizes work, ensures timely data entry into various systems to include HRIS and other departmental tracking mechanisms.
Ensures adherence to policies and procedures as governed by federal and state law, regulatory compliance, department and the company.
Conducts internal investigations concerning team member issues, including EEO and ADA-related matters.
Adhere to regulatory, departmental and company policies in an ethical manner.
Interacts with and assists team members in an upbeat, positive and professional manner.
Acts as a role model to other team members.
Takes an active role in support of company promotional programs.