HR Generalist - Benefits & Absence Management

Human Resources Generalist Benefits & Absence Management

Reporting to the Sr. Human Resources Director, the Human Resources Generalist Benefits & Absence Management is a key contributor to the Human Resources Department. They are driven to provide excellent customer service and partner with the team to achieve outstanding results. They manage Fenway Health's benefits and absence management programs which includes the oversight and administration of: health, voluntary, paid-time-off and retirement benefit programs, employee leaves of absence (e.g.: FMLA, MA-PFML, STD/LTD, etc.), accommodations under Title I of the ADA and Workers' Compensation; respond to employees with benefit or leave related questions or issues; and assists with the development of associated HR policies. The HR Generalist also helps with special projects and initiatives.

Representative Duties:

• Manage employee benefit plans and programs:
• Accountable for managing the benefit plan operations; provides interpretation of policy, trouble-shoots and delivers exemplary customer service, and ensures compliant, accurate and timely administration of all health and welfare, voluntary and paid time off plans.
• Ensures benefit plan enrollments including pending transactions for new hires, qualifying mid-year event changes and termination of coverage transactions are handled timely and accurately.
• Oversees regular plan audits including enrollment of eligible dependents; ensures enrollment data and paycheck premium withholds are accurate across all plans and programs.
• Coordinates FSA/COBRA/HRA/pre-tax parking administration with third party vendor.
• Assists in annual contract renewals and annual open enrollment activities for all plans.
• Assists in the development of benefit communications for new hires and open enrollment.
• Presents benefit plan information at all new hire orientations.
• Provides exemplary customer service; timely and effectively handles the resolution of sensitive benefit related issues or questions (e.g.: denied claims, eligibility issues, etc.) and interfaces frequently with benefit carriers, vendors and brokers.
• Ensures invoices are received, audited, and paid timely.
• Responsible for accuracy of all benefit vendor feeds.
• Assists with renewals and open enrollment for out of state employees on PEO plans.
• Assists with reporting requirements for regulatory reporting.
• Oversees annual health and welfare non-discrimination testing and assists with plan audits.
• Responsible for managing all aspects of the tuition benefit program.
• Assist with distribution of annual notifications as required by ERISA, the Department of Labor, and other regulatory bodies.
• In partnership with HR Coordinator, coordinates ergonomic assessments for staff.
• Manage retirement plan and programs:
• Accountable for managing the 403(b) retirement plan; ensures all retirement plans are administered in compliance with federal and state regulations and Fenway Health policy.
• Ensures retirement plan enrollments and changes are processed timely with plan administrator.
• Oversees regular plan audits in collaboration with plan administrator and recordkeeper.
• Staffs the Retirement Investment Committee.
• Counsels and communicates retirement plan information to staff including new hires; coordinates and/or delivers employee education on financial health, saving for retirement, family budgeting, etc.
• Oversees annual non-discrimination testing and assists with plan audits.
• Manage employee leaves of absence and disability benefits:
• Accountable for ensuring staff leaves of absence are administered in compliance with federal, state and jurisdictional requirements; this requires regular oversight of the eligibility determination and leave and pay entitlements awarded by the state and vendors for FMLA, MA-PFML, other state leaves as applicable, STD and LTD.
• Serves as the point-of-contact for staff who are seeking a leave of absence; counsels on application, pay, supplementing with PTO, and protected leave benefits.
• Collaborates with HR colleagues on sensitive leave of absence and related employee relations-related issues; keeps managers informed of the status of their staff on leaves.
• Coordinates the determination of path/options when staff members reach the end of their leave entitlement and before termination of employment; this might include leave as an accommodation, job reassignment or other alternative accommodations.
• Works collaboratively with Fenway Health's workers compensation administrator; ensures staff member receives full consideration for job protection entitlement concurrent with Workers' Compensation. Ensures Workers Compensation documents are up to date, files Workers Compensation claims, including processing and submitting all required forms to Worker's Compensation administrator.
• Ensures third-party vendor is properly calculating and awarding disability benefits.
• Supports the development and updating of HR policies and procedures pertaining to employee leave of absence.
• Assists with the development and rollout of return to work, light duty, medical management and/or other related policies and programs.
• Reports regularly on key metrics related to employee leave of absence.
• Serves as the main contact with our leave administrators to ensure exemplary customer experience is maintained for staff.
• Maintains up to date knowledge on all state and federal laws and regulations concerning the administration of FMLA, PFMLA, and short and long-term disability.
• Manage Title I ADA Accommodations:
• Accountable for ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and federal and state laws pertaining to individuals with disabilities.
• Provides administrative oversight for all workplace accommodations; oversees the interactive process timely and confidentially. Partners with supervisors and departments in identifying reasonable outcomes. Ensures that alternative accommodations are considered if the initial accommodation request cannot be approved in whole or in part.
• Responsible for maintaining up-to-date list tracking all requested ADA accommodations, and status of approval.
• Engage in special projects and initiatives and provide administrative support to HR:
• Contributes to the development and delivery of New Hire Orientation.
• Builds trusting relationships with staff members and leaders at all levels of Fenway Health; serves as a credible resource on all areas of accountability.
• Assists in updating and revising policies and procedures; interprets policies for our customers.
• Develops and maintains reports and dashboards on a variety of topics pertaining to areas of accountability.
• Responds to department phone calls, emails, and tickets, and provides excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Meet agency participatory expectations:
• Adheres to all agency and departmental policies and procedures.
• Participates in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested.
• Adheres to the highest principles of patient and client confidentiality.
• Adheres to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation.
• Attends all required meetings, in-services and professional trainings.
• Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintains and provides agency with records of continuing education activities.
• Serves on agency committees and in professional organizations when requested.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field (or equivalent 4 years' work experience).
• 4-5 years' experience in Human Resources.
• 2 years' experience managing and administering employee benefits plans and programs, employee leaves of absence and disability programs including WC, STD, LTD and ADA.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience working with employee relations related matters.
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. This includes engaging constructively with colleagues, patients, clients, and vendors in a manner that reflects professionalism, empathy, and cultural awareness, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or other protected characteristics as defined by applicable law.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PHR or SHRM certification strongly preferred.
• Experience working with the Human Resources Information System (HRIS) Paylocity preferred.
• Exemplary customer service skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to master new computer applications.
• Strong organization and detail skills necessary.
• Experience working in an ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse environment preferred.