Leave of Absence Specialist

• This is an on-site position (Monday through Thursday) based out of our Northbrook, IL office with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.

A day in the life of a Leave Administrator... 

• Partner with the third-party administrator (e.g., Aflac) to ensure accurate and timely handling of claims, documentation, and employee communications

• Monitor employee leave cases, including but not limited to FMLA, ADA, short- and long-term disability, state-specific programs, and Canadian leave regulations

• Interpret and apply leave laws and internal policies to determine eligibility, leave types, durations, and return-to-work expectations

• Collaborate with Payroll to ensure proper pay coordination for employees on leave, including integration with PTO, STD, and LTD

• Maintain and update leave records in Workday and monitor case statuses for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance

• Advise leaders and HRBPs on return-to-work processes, including transitional duty, ADA accommodation, and job reassignment when appropriate

• Support the interactive process under ADA, working in collaboration with HRBPs, Legal, and managers

• Draft and recommend improvements to leave-related policies and procedures to enhance compliance, operational efficiency, and the employee experience

• Prepare regular and ad-hoc leave reports, analyzing trends and contributing insights to support strategic planning and workforce management

• Provide training and guidance to HR team members and managers regarding leave policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements

• Ensure complete confidentiality of all associate medical and leave information and documentation

What you'll bring to the table...

• Strong working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, USERRA, and state/provincial leave laws

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to explain complex information clearly

• Empathetic approach with a commitment to delivering a positive associate experience

• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion

• Ability to analyze leave trends and recommend operational improvements

We'd love to hear from you if you have... 

• 1+ years of relevant experience in leave and accommodations management, preferably in a multi-jurisdictional (U.S. and Canada) environment.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.

• Experience with Workday or equivalent HCM systems.

• Prior experience with ADA accommodations and managing the interactive process strongly preferred.

• Experience with third-party leave administrators preferred.

• Spanish/English bilingual skills strongly preferred.