Leave and Disability Analyst - HR Benefits * Days - 40hrs/wk

Requisition #: req9035

Shift: Days

FTE status: 1

On-call: No

Weekends: No

General Summary

Under limited direction, the Leave of Absence Analyst is accountable for reviewing and coordinating all types of claims for employees relating to leaves of absence; effectively communicating with employees, management, and treatment providers; and collaborating with Fiscal Services and management ensuring payroll is consistent with applicable University of Michigan Health policies to ensure all leave of absence claims are timely processed correctly. The Leave of Absence Analyst also is responsible for coordinating all aspects of any requested workplace accommodations, including but not limited to working through the interactive process with employees requesting workplace accommodations and working with organizational leaders to implement effective workplace accommodations, as well as documenting all aspects of that interactive process and providing education to leaders with respect to University of Michigan Health leave management and reasonable accommodation processes.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in human resources or a related field.
• Three (3) years of experience administering leave of absence administration (STD/LTD/FMLA/Disability Management/Workers’ Compensation) with general welfare benefit experience strongly preferred.
• Able to anticipate challenges and take initiative to identify and address potential issues before they arise, ensuring smooth operations and/or timely project delivery.
• Proactively manage tasks, prioritize work, and ensure the completion of responsibilities without the need for constant supervision or direction.
• Seek continuous improvement and innovation through problem solving, planning, prioritizing, and adapting through self-motivation, accountability and managing risks.
• Knowledge of general health benefits administration, including, but not limited to, Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision and Voluntary Disability benefits.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills at all levels within and outside the organization.
• Strong reasoning with ability to research complex questions / situations and formulate appropriate resolutions and recommended process changes.
• Strong attention to detail with demonstrated ability to track/manage leave designations and time sensitive requests.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and exercise sound judgment.
  
  

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively across the organization to identify, develop and implement key initiatives, programs and tools relating to leave and workplace accommodation management, while supporting the organization and assessing potential organizational needs relating to leave of absence and workplace accommodation management.
• Manages and coordinates integrated claims management involving Short Term Disability (STD), Long Term Disability (LTD), Parental Leave, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Salary Continuation, Medical and Personal Leaves in accordance with the organization’s Plan Documents, policies, procedures, and applicable laws that govern them. Coordinates integrated claims management with STD and LTD vendors to provide timely and accurate customer service. Investigates and follows up on abnormal and/or inconsistent activities with a claim.
• Serves as a liaison between employees, management, and treatment providers, ergonomic consultants, vendors, and other HR staff to protect the rights of claimants/employees and reduce potential organizational exposure. Communicates with employees, management, Team Member Health and treatment providers regarding qualifying reasons and anticipated length of leave/disability period, and/or employee medical restrictions.
• Coordinates interactive discussion with employees, applicable HR and EHS staff escalating to management regarding medical restrictions and potential reasonable accommodation(s), including analysis of any potential undue hardships, direct threats, and other potential outcomes.
• Monitors duration of leaves, and restricted work, and partners with manager to coordinate return to work, alternative work arrangements, leaves of absence and/or separation of employment in the rare instance where effective reasonable accommodation cannot be achieved.
• Collaborates, educates, advises, and maintains positive relationships between client groups, management, employees, Team Member Health and Human Resources by serving as a liaison to procure specialty services (leave administration) such as distributing mandated notification(s) to employees and timely reviewing requests for leaves, medical restrictions and workplace accommodations while ensuring equitable treatment of employees. Identifies new or existing management employees who need information/consultation regarding leaves and medical restrictions and provides information accordingly.
• Facilitates effective communication between management and employees regarding leaves of absence and workplace accommodations to promote employee morale and maintain an inclusive work environment, remaining mindful of the need to control costs and increasing quality and productivity consistent with applicable leave laws and University of Michigan Health policies and procedures.
• Responds to employee and management questions and concerns regarding leave, medical restrictions, disability pay and/ salary continuation in a timely manner. Communicates with payroll, management, and employees to ensure disability pay is correctly allocated.
• Responsible for case management of Worker’s Compensation, extended disability claims and a transitional work program to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations or University of Michigan policies. Providing appropriate documentation in the IDM Claims management computer database and the hardcopy files consistent with department standards.
• Assist with the restricted work program across the organization, in collaboration with Team Member Health. Oversees staff placed in temporary placements in or outside of their regularly assigned department to ensure restrictions and schedules are adhered to by the staff member and management.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of the laws and pertinent legal parameters pertaining to the administration of leaves, working closely with HR Business Partners, Legal Services, Compliance, and external partners.
• Collaborates with and supports the HR Operations Specialist and Benefits Supervisor as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned. These may include but are not limited to: Maintaining a current knowledge base of department processes, protocols and procedures, pursuing self-directed learning and continuing education opportunities, and participating on committees, task forces, and work groups as determined by management.