Bilingual Absence & Disability Specialist

About The Job

Join our team as an Absence and Disability Specialist, where you will oversee the administration of employee leave and disability programs across Canada. Reporting to the Director of Total Rewards – Canada, you’ll partner closely with employees, managers, and HR Business Partners to ensure a smooth, supportive, and inclusive experience for all stakeholders. The ideal candidate is fluent in French and brings experience in benefits administration, disability management, health and safety, and workers' compensation.

This is a one-year contract position, offering an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a dynamic HR team.

Responsibilities

• Administer and track employee leaves of absence for all leave programs:
• Maintain employee leave of absence files
• Respond to requests for all types of leaves or workplace accommodations (medical, maternity/paternity, personal, compassionate, workers compensation and other applicable federal leaves)
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees requesting or currently on leave. Provide clear guidance on policies, eligibility, required documentation and timelines.
• Facilitate the short-term and long-term disability application processes while maintaining strict confidentiality of employee data, information, & wellbeing. This involves working closely with employees, managers, and third-party vendors.
• Liaise with third-party disability case managers and insurance carriers to ensure timely and accurate claim processing and safe return to work and/or workplace accommodation.
• Facilitate the Return to Work (RTW) process by working closely with the employee, external claims managers, and internal stakeholders.
• Educate managers and employees on leave policies, procedures and legislative requirements.
• Manage workers compensation and CNESST cases, ensuring forms are completed and filed in a timely manner. Track lost time and assist in safe return to work planning and workplace accommodations.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and the health and safety teams to investigate workplace accidents and recommend corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence.
• Monitor, track and report on all leaves. Create dashboards to help guide decision making.
• Maintain accurate records in HRIS and applicable tracking systems
• Ensure regulatory and legislative compliance for all leave programs
• Maintain master sheet record of leave of absences
• Other duties as assigned:
• Assist with translation of written materials between English and French
• Partner closely with HRBPs to:
• Coordinate WCB objections (e.g. further investigating the incident, gather materials/information and submit initial objections for WCB cases)
• Gather further information and materials to prepare for WCB hearings (if it reaches this point)
• Serve as a member of Health and Safey Committee
• Maintain Occupational Health Data as required by statute and internal Company policies & guidelines
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Occupational Health & Safety or related field OR equivalent experience
• 2-3 years of experience in leave administration and worker’s compensation management
• Strong understanding of employment legislation and benefits administration practices
• Familiarity with disability vendors, workers compensation boards and insurance carriers
• Strong communication and organizational skills with a high level of discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Bilingual in English and French
  
  

Work Environment: Flexible Workplace (role can be Hybrid or Remote)