Leave Management Specialist

: Joining the Benchmark Senior Living team means putting your passion to work. Associates thrive in a supportive, diverse, and skilled team that is committed to caring and dedicated service. With specialized training and educational programs, we empower you to explore your interests and growth opportunities. We invite you to connect with your calling, find purpose in your career, and gain lifelong relationships through the power of human connection by transforming the lives of seniors! We're seeking a Leave Management Specialist to join our team at Benchmark Senior Living. In this role you will play a critical role that will oversee and facilitate leave requests and accommodations requiring specialized attention, particularly those arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local leave laws, and short-term or long-term disability plans. Responsibilities:

• Handles the FMLA, ADA, and protected state leave administration process in conjunction with Benchmark's third-party administrator, from the employee's initial notice of the need for leave to the return to work. This includes ensuring all required paperwork is completed, leave eligibility is correctly determined and designated, and accounting for intermittent and reduced schedule leave use.
• Facilitates accommodation requests under the ADA.
• Advises managers and employees on the interaction of the various leave entitlements and the ADA.
• Interprets, administers and ensures compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, and human resources policies and procedures.
• Proposes, formulates and implements operational procedures, including changes that streamline human resources systems and take advantage of technology.
• Communicates with DBA/ED, HRBP, state/local leave agencies, third party administrator, and other stakeholders to ensure cooperative relationships.
• Gathers necessary information to analyze and resolves complex leave situations and takes or recommends appropriate action, working closely with the HRBP;
• Communicate with employees regarding their needs for leave and/or modified work schedules. Ensures that employees are aware of their rights, responsibilities, and of any documentation and notice required to qualify for and to take leave.
• Maintains reasonable communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; relays communication between employees and their managers during leave as needed.
• Advises managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, workers compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits.
• Oversee the return-to-work process for employees returning from extended FMLA, workers compensation, or other leave(s).
• Administers other company time-off programs as assigned in accordance with internal policy and applicable laws.
• Drafts and/or recommend revisions to company leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Maintains working knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws for Benchmark's footprint including the FMLA, ADA, and state and local laws.

Qualifications:

• An undergraduate degree or higher in business administration, human resources management, public administration or related field.
• 3 plus years' progressive experience in leave management.
• Experience managing disability accommodation requests in compliance with the ADA and applicable state or local disability laws.
• Experience with Massachusetts PFML, Connecticut FMLA and Paid Leave, New York state paid family leave, Rhode Island TCI/TDI, and other state or local leave programs a plus.

As a Home Office associate at Benchmark, you will have immediate access to a variety of benefits including, but not limited to, the following:

• 10 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday
• Vacation and Health & Wellness Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Physical & Mental Health Wellness Programs
• Medical, Vision & Dental Benefits provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield
• 401K Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Company-provided Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability