What are the responsibilities and job description for the Leave of Absence Specialist position at Crate and Barrel?
We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Leave Administrator to facilitate the administration of our leave of absence programs across the U.S. and Canada. The ideal candidate will handle complex leave cases, maintain compliance with applicable laws (FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, and provincial equivalents), and serve as a key liaison between associates, HR Business Partners (HRBPs), third-party administrators, and other stakeholders. The Leave Administrator will play a critical role in optimizing the employee leave experience and ensuring operational excellence. Must have experience using Workday for leave administration and documentation.
- This is an on-site position (Monday through Thursday) based out of our Northbrook, IL office with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Salary : $60,000 - $78,000