Leave of Absence Specialist

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

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

Qualifications

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