Benefits Support Associate

Human Resources Associate

The Human Resources Support Associate is responsible for performing People-related duties on a professional level and works closely with People Support with a focus on Benefits, Leave of Absence and Worker's Compensation Support.  This position carries out responsibilities in the following functional areas: policy implementation, employment law compliance, and the tracking of people metrics to support business decisions.

Work Location and Schedule Expectations

The People Support Associate is a remote position. Employees are expected to maintain a home office; Laptop and associated hardware will be provided. The Ideal candidate lives within driving distance of our Support Center in Bellevue, WA. Periodically, the HR team will conduct in-person strategy and working sessions. Remote employees must reside in one of the states where Elite Restaurant Group operates. Your schedule is a standard 40 hour work week. The schedule has the flexibility to start work later but will be expected to support until 5pm.

Key Responsibilities

• Triage inbound people team communications through multiple avenues
• Manage company unemployment risk through claim reviews, response and contesting when necessary. Provide trends data and recommendations to the team on how to lower unemployment liability
• Administer the workers compensation and leave of absence programs; serving as main point of contact for claims management, partnering with our Carrier/third-party administrators (TPA) to actively engage in and effectively manage open claims
• Conduct, oversee, and participate in comprehensive data analysis and reporting for key performance indicators, encompassing claims, volume, processing time, prompt communication, average cost per claim, year over year, expenditures, and timely claims resolution. Collaborate with broker partners to identify and assess emerging trends, providing insights to People Business Partners and management for solution development.
• Partner with our Broker Claim Consultants and Carrier/TPA to coordinate and attend claim review meetings on a quarterly basis
• Correspond with management and business partner(s) regarding claim and leave statuses, return to work status, work restrictions to drive program compliance
• Manage internal systems to report and triage workplace injuries, follow up on medical management of the claims, evaluating action plans that bring open claims to closure.
• Assist Carrier/TPA and assigned legal counsel with claims in litigation including evidence gathering and resolution.
• Partner with our Broker to perform initial training of the workers’ compensation and leave of absence processes and to facilitate ongoing communications with employees to ensure understanding of the workers compensation and leave processes, including their roles and responsibilities, expected compensation, required documentation, and return to work requirements
• Build and maintain a culture of continuous process improvement, partnering with field leadership, learning and development and food safety
• Complete other projects as assigned, collaborate with other areas of the People Team and business on the implementation and rollout of plans, programs and policies and act as back up for other People Team functions
• Process documentation and reporting, including partnering with the People Ops team on reporting for field leaders
• Support other projects as assigned by the People leadership
• Assist with requisition management and template maintenance

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of relevant HR generalist experience in dynamic, fast-paced organizations
• Working Knowledge of federal and state employment laws (ie: EEO, FLSA, ADA, FMLA, HIPAA, OSHA, etc.)
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with tact and diplomacy
• Well organized, plans effectively and prioritizes time according to what matters most
• Dependable and can be counted upon to meet deadlines and commitments
• Proven experience in consulting and communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate
• Strong interviewing/fact finding and decision-making skills
• Strong conflict management skills with demonstrated understanding of interpersonal relationship building
• Proven success at developing strong trusting relationships in order to gain support and achieve results
• A positive upbeat personality who focuses on opportunities rather than obstacles 

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated competence in other human resource disciplines with including compensation, change management, talent management, organizational diagnosis and planning, and diversity is a plus
• Relevant industry experience a plus
• Experience with new programs, systems or policy implementation

Physical Requirements

Office work involves remaining in a stationary position most of the time in front of a computer, using a keyboard, mouse and telephone. Regularly operate a computer and other office equipment. Occasionally move about the work site to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc. Exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or regularly move objects. Communicate and exchange information with co-workers and other individuals in person and electronically