Leave of Absence Specialist

We are looking for a dedicated Leave of Absence Specialist to join our team in Memphis, Tennessee. We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Leave of Absence (LOA) Specialist to join our team. The LOA Specialist will play a critical role in administering, managing, and ensuring compliance with the company’s leave of absence programs. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of federal, state, and company leave policies, as well as experience supporting employees through their leave journeys. This position requires exceptional organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to provide accurate interpretation of benefits laws while delivering excellent employee support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leave Eligibility and Approval:
• Overall responsibility for approving or denying state-assigned leave of absence requests and return-to-work forms for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) eligibility.
• Compliance Management:
• Ensure compliance with benefit laws, policies, and procedures, including but not limited to FMLA, Paid Sick Leave Laws, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and ADA (Source: citation). Stay updated on changes to applicable regulations and interpret these laws accurately.
• Policy Interpretation:
• Understand and provide accurate interpretation of company leave policies, state regulations, and federal laws related to employee benefits and accommodations (Source: citation).
• Escalation and Issue Resolution:
• Serve as the first point of escalation for customer service issues related to the leave management process. Resolve employee inquiries and concerns in a timely, professional manner.
• Legal Response and Documentation:
• Respond to legal requests for leave file documentation associated with a compliance complaint or potential lawsuit, ensuring detailed and accurate record-keeping (Source: citation).
• Employee Support:
• Provide guidance and compassionate assistance to employees requesting and managing their leaves, ensuring a positive employee experience while balancing compliance.
• Collaboration:
• Partner with HR teams, managers, and external leave vendors (if applicable) to seamlessly administer leave processes and coordinate the return-to-work transition.
• Training and Education:
• Train managers and employees on leave policies and procedures, keeping stakeholders informed about changes and updates.
• Reporting:
• Prepare and maintain detailed reports on leave metrics, tracking cases, and identifying areas for improvement. Ensure confidentiality of employee records at all times.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Proficiency in ADP Workforce Now, Ceridian, and other financial services platforms.

• Strong experience with auditing benefit functions and managing claim administration processes.

• Familiarity with COBRA administration and compliance requirements.

• Excellent communication skills for facilitating discussions and resolving escalated concerns.

• Ability to interpret and apply benefits laws and policies accurately.

• Knowledge of CRM systems to manage customer interactions effectively.

• Experience conducting virtual meetings using platforms like Cisco Webex.

• Detail-oriented with a focus on ensuring compliance and accuracy in benefits administration.

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years in leave of absence administration, human resources, or related benefit management roles.
• Knowledge: Thorough understanding of FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA, and Paid Sick Leave Laws, including state-specific regulations (Source: citation).
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in HRIS platforms and leave management systems is required, along with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to manage escalations confidently, analyze issues, and execute resolutions with sound judgment while maintaining compliance.
• Attention to Detail: High level of organization and accuracy when managing leave records, documentation, and legal responses.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Confidentiality: Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive employee information professionally and ethically.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional HR certifications such as PHR, SHRM-CP, or CLMS (Certified Leave Management Specialist).
• Familiarity with third-party leave administration platforms or vendors.

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

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