Human Resources Assistant, Leave Management - The Metropolitan Opera : Job Details

The Human Resources Assistant - Leave Management provides specialized support to employees and the Human Resources department, emphasizing the administration of employee leave requests and ensuring compliance with applicable leave regulations, policies and workers' compensation. This role serves asa key resource for employees, offering guidance on leave-related matters while also providing essential administrative support for broader HR functions.Primary Responsibilites

• Employee Support:
• Provide assistance and guidance to employees with questions regarding leave policies and processes, including FMLA, short-term disability, Paid Family Leave, Workers' Compensation, and other leave types.
• Critical interface between employees, labor relations and management.
• Leave Administration:
• Process and manage all leave-of-absence requests, ensuring proper documentation and compliance with legal and organizational requirements.
• Manage workers' compensation leaves and partner closely with managers, HR and labor to ensure smooth transitions for leaves and return to work.
• Communicate leave policies, workers comp and procedures to employees and managers, ensuring clarity and understanding of rights and responsibilities.
• Interpret and apply FMLA, ADA, and other relevant regulations as they relate to leave requests, accommodations, and compliance requirements.
• Partner closely with HR colleagues on leave management issues with regard to employee relations and other company-wide initiatives
• Maintain accurate leave records and track leave status, ensuring timely communication with all stakeholders regarding leave eligibility, approvals, denials, and return-to-work processes.
• Prepare and distribute leave-related notices and correspondence in accordance with legal requirements and organizational protocols.
• Administrative Support:
• Provide administrative support to the Assistant General Manager of Human Resources and other HR team members as needed, with an emphasis on leave-related projects and tasks.
• Assist with HR mailings, mass distributions, and informational campaigns related to leave policies, employee rights, and other relevant topics.
• Participate and support reporting related to workers compensation and leave management.
• Compliance and Documentation:
• Ensure timely distribution and accurate tracking of leave-related notices, including those required under FMLA, ADA, and other applicable laws.
• Perform regular quality checks of leave-related data to ensure compliance and data accuracy.
• Work with labor, legal and HR on required notices and communication with management.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Human Resources or related field (Associate degree with relevant experience and/or certifications will be considered).
• 2-3 years of experience in HR, with a strong focus on leave administration.
• Experience working with a unionized workforce preferred.
• Strong understanding of leave administration, including FMLA, ADA, Workers' Compensation, and other relevant laws.
• Data analysis and excel skills strongly preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; bilingual abilities are a plus.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and good judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, etc.) and HRIS systems (e.g., Lawson preferred).
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting and computer work.
• Occasionally required to lift up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to work in-office 3-4 days a week.

The Metropolitan Opera believes that diversity is critical to our success and growth as a leading performing arts institution and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities we serve.The Metropolitan Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.