Leave of Absence Specialist

The Specialist will own assigned cases, including documentation, HRIS data entry, tracking, and employee/manager communication, while partnering with HR, Payroll, and external vendors. Our client is seeking an experienced Leave of Absence Specialist to manage employee leave cases, with a primary focus on Federal and Connecticut FMLA, STD, and LTD.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE SPECIALIST – CONTRACT

Location: New Haven, CT – Hybrid, 2 days onsite per week
Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Pay: $38–43/hour, depending on experience

Our client is seeking an experienced Leave of Absence Specialist to manage employee leave cases, with a primary focus on Federal and Connecticut FMLA, STD, and LTD. The Specialist will own assigned cases, including documentation, HRIS data entry, tracking, and employee/manager communication, while partnering with HR, Payroll, and external vendors. The ideal candidate will have strong leave administration experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple cases in a fast-paced environment.
 

Responsibilities

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  Manage assigned employee leave cases from intake through the duration of the leave, including Federal FMLA, Connecticut FMLA, STD, and LTD.
  
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  Determine and track FMLA eligibility, required documentation, deadlines, leave status, and applicable timelines.
  
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  Coordinate all required paperwork, documentation, and data entry associated with leave cases.
  
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  Communicate directly with employees regarding leave options, requirements, documentation, status, and other leave-related questions.
  
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  Partner with managers and HR Business Partners to provide guidance and information regarding employee leaves.
  
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  Liaise with external leave and disability vendors, including The Hartford, regarding STD/LTD and related leave administration.
  
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  Maintain accurate and compliant leave records in Workday, Salesforce, and other HR systems.
  
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  Ensure employee leave information and case status are updated accurately and in a timely manner.
  
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  Partner with the Payroll team regarding pay adjustments and other payroll-related impacts associated with employee leaves.
  
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  Monitor multiple active cases and ensure all required actions and follow-ups are completed within established timelines.
  
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  Provide occasional support or crossover on ADA/accommodation and return-to-work matters as needed.
  
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  Assist with other HR administrative projects and responsibilities as needed.
  

Qualifications

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  3+ years of direct, hands-on experience administering Leaves of Absence.
  
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  Strong experience administering Federal FMLA and Connecticut FMLA.
  
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  Experience managing STD and LTD cases.
  
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  Demonstrated ability to manage leave cases end-to-end, including documentation, tracking, employee communication, and HRIS updates.
  
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  Experience working with HRIS systems; Workday experience is a plus.
  
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  Payroll experience or familiarity with payroll adjustments related to employee leaves is strongly preferred.
  
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  Strong customer service and employee communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters professionally.
  
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  Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, and competing priorities.
  
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  Polished, professional communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment.
  
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  Experience with ADA/accommodations is a plus, but this is not the primary focus of the role.
  
  
  
  INDA