Leave of Absence Specialist

At Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, our team members get to make a difference and have fun every day. Our world-class team brings to life the incredible, award-winning hotels located at Universal Orlando Resort. Named one of Central Florida's Top Workplaces and one of America's Best-in-State Employers by Forbes, we are committed to our "power of we" culture. Are you looking for a place where you can bring your authentic self to work every day and be able to connect, engage and delight? We offer excellent benefits and perks including one free meal per shift and free theme park access. We have a dynamic culture that makes every day interesting, challenging, fulfilling and fun. We embrace diversity at our core and offer the opportunity for all team members to reach their potential. We invest in training and development opportunities for all team members. We promote social responsibility by being a good neighbor in the community. We care for you, just as we care for others. About Lakewood Regional Support Our regional support center provides resources to our hotels for multiple areas including Human Resources, Engineering, Purchasing, Accounting, Security, Group Reservations, Guest Contact Center, Information Technology, Laundry and Communications. Purpose: Work within the Human Resources team to make Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando (LHUO) the employer of choice in Central Florida by providing a consistently fair, productive and proactive work environment where team members are treated with respect and courtesy and are acknowledged and rewarded for the outstanding hospitality product and service they provide. The Leave of Absence Specialist plays a crucial role in managing and coordinating team member leave programs. This role involves working closely with team members and department managers to ensure all leave requests are handled efficiently and in compliance with relevant laws and company policies. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Serves as the subject matter expert for the leave of absence programs, to include interpreting and administering policies in accordance with applicable federal and state laws (FMLA, ADA, USERRA, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, PWFA, etc.) and company policy Oversees all ADA and PWFA accommodations to ensure consistent application of the guidelines and requirements across the campus, working closely with property HR team to implement reasonable accommodations Provides extensive case management and coordinates administrative aspects of the cases and claims Coordinates and organizes all medical information and ensures that HIPAA and team member privacy guidelines are closely monitored and effectively executed Manages all aspects of leave claims to include assessing eligibility and duration, tracking hours used/taken and ensure pay and deductions are accurate and correct Guides team members through the leave request process, explaining eligibility, documentation requirements and available options Work closely with team member to ensure all relevant medical documentation is submitted timely. Maintains contact with team member and coordinates all aspects of return to work Partners closely with property HR Directors on all leave claims, and maintains regular communication to review claim status Collaborate with management and legal team to address complex leave cases, including interactive processes for accommodation Promotes and applies teamwork skills at all times Notifies appropriate individual promptly and fully of problems and/or unusual matters of significance Is polite, friendly, and helpful to guests, management and fellow team members Executes emergency procedures in accordance with hotel standards Complies with required safety regulations and procedures Attends appropriate hotel meetings and training sessions Maintains cleanliness and excellent condition of equipment and work area Complies with hotel standards, policies and rules Recycles whenever possible Remains current with hotel information and changes Complies with hotel uniform and grooming standards Other duties as assigned Required Qualifications: A minimum of 3 years of human resources experience with at least 1 year of experience including the administration of leave and ADA Familiar with or able to learn HRIS and Time & Attendance systems Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail Demonstrated ability to treat confidential matters with appropriate discretion Able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays if needed Excellent communication, organizational, and human relations skills Able to work well in a fast-paced environment Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with all levels of hotel team members Good working knowledge of operational and administrative hotel departments Preferred Qualifications: Experience with issues relating to HIPAA, Disability, FMLA, ADA, USERRA and PWFA Working knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to appropriate leave and ADA issues Preferred, not mandatory - bi-lingual (English/Spanish/Creole) Experience: At least 3 years related experience Experience: PHR/SPHR, not mandatory