Rewards Specialist - Leave and Accommodation

Total Rewards Specialist - Leave and Accommodation

Job Summary:

The Total Rewards Specialist – Leave & Accommodation is responsible for administering and maintaining the company’s leave of absence and accommodation programs. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws while delivering an employee experience that reflects care, empathy, and professionalism. In addition to supporting leave and accommodation, this position contributes to broader Total Rewards initiatives—supporting Benefits, Well‑Being, Recognition, and Compensation—through data insights, process improvements, and proactive support strategies.

The specialist plays a vital role in connecting leave management with overall business and employee health outcomes.

Key expectations include daily modeling of: alignment with the company’s mission and core values; collaboration with key internal and external resources; and participation in ongoing self‑development.

• Model, promote, reinforce, and reward the consistent use of HOLT’s Values Based Leadership (VBL) tools, ensuring alignment with our Vision, Values, and Mission.
• Administer all leave programs including FMLA, ADA, state leave, military, personal, and other related absences.
• Evaluate and coordinate reasonable accommodation requests under the ADA, collaborating with employees, leaders, HRBPs, Safety, and Legal.
• Communicate effectively and compassionately with employees and leaders regarding eligibility, benefit continuation, and return‑to‑work requirements.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and internal policies.
• Facilitate timely communication to all applicable functions/departments and leave management vendors.
• Ensure accurate case documentation and tracking within HRIS and leave management systems.
• Support proactive accommodation strategies—particularly for chronic conditions, workers’ compensation, and health‑related absences—to minimize disruption and promote employee well‑being.
• Analyze and report data and trends related to absence tracking, leave and accommodation usage.
• Identify challenges in tracking patterns due to time limitations and recommend simplified or automated solutions to improve data visibility.
• Provide actionable insights to support broader business decisions, including workforce planning and health and safety initiatives.
• Partner with other Total Rewards team members to align leave data with benefits, wellness, and engagement reporting.
• Collaborate with Benefits to ensure continuity of coverage, manage escalations, and support applicable benefit education.
• Partner with Well‑Being and Safety teams to connect employees to resources that support their recovery and long‑term health.
• Coordinate with Compensation to provide leave‑related data that impacts pay changes, merit cycles, and bonuses.
• Participate in Total Rewards projects such as policy refreshes, system transitions, and dashboard enhancements.
• Work safely at all times and adhere to all applicable safety policies; comply with all company policies, procedures, and standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and regulations, specifically focusing on benefits administration, including FMLA, ADA, ERISA, HIPAA, Workers’ Comp, etc.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite with a focus on Excel, time reporting systems, HRIS/payroll systems.
• Interpersonal skills that facilitate prompt and constructive solutions.
• Analytical mindset using data to identify patterns, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Technical knowledge and influencing capabilities with strong self‑management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with all levels of management and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage day‑to‑day operations and project work in a fast‑paced, complex environment.
• Problem‑solving skills to review related information and develop and evaluate options, implementing solutions.
• Consulting and influencing abilities; ability to resolve conflicts and gain cooperation among competing interest groups.
• Attention to detail and ability to prioritize in a changing environment.
• Abili…