Leave of Absence ("LOA") and Accommodation Specialist

Job Posting:

Since 1953, Ferguson has been a source of quality supplies for a variety of industries. Together We Build Better infrastructure, better homes and better businesses. We exist to make our customers’ complex projects simple, successful, and sustainable. We proactively solve problems, adapt and grow to continuously serve our customers, communities and each other. Ferguson is proud to provide best-in-class products, service and capabilities across the following industries: Commercial/Mechanical, Facilities Supply, Fire and Fabrication, HVAC, Industrial, Residential Trade, Residential Building and Remodel, Waterworks and Residential Digital Commerce. Ferguson has approximately 36,000 associates across 1,700 locations. Ferguson is a community of proud associates who operate with the shared purpose of building something meaningful. You will build a career that you are proud of, at a company you can believe in.

We have an exciting opportunity open in HR! The role of Leave of Absence (“LOA”) and Accommodation Specialist is to lead all aspects of and handle the Employment Practices Group (“EPG”) processes related to associate leaves of absence, return to work and accommodations within the organization.

Location:

This role is approved for remote work anywhere in the United States.

Responsibilities:

This role is responsible for several key functions, including:

• Partners with our benefits team and third-party LOA administrator to ensure that the organization complies with relevant laws and regulations, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other federal, state, and local employment laws regarding leave and accommodation.

• Minimizes legal and financial risks associated with leave management by ensuring that the organization follows established policies and procedures and stays compliant with relevant laws.

• Leads the interactive process required by the ADA and other regulations to determine reasonable accommodations for associates with disabilities, facilitating discussions between associates and managers, and ensuring that accommodations are implemented effectively and handled appropriately.

• Conducts education and training sessions for associates and managers to raise awareness of leave policies and accommodation procedures to help ensure that all parties understand their roles and responsibilities in the process.

• Applies leave data and accommodation requests to identify trends and analyze patterns. This information can help inform decision-making, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that the organization's leave and accommodation policies are effective.

Overall, the Leave of Absence and Accommodation Administrator plays a crucial role in supporting both associates and the organization by engaging in complicated leave processes, maintaining compliance with applicable laws, engaging in the return to work process, as well as requests for accommodations, and fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace environment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, or related field or equivalent experience. HR certification (e.g., PHR, SHRM-CP) is a plus.

• Proven experience (3-5+ years) in associate leave, accommodations, or related field, preferably in a large organization or corporate environment.

• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and HR standard processes regarding leave of absence and accommodations

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with associates at all levels.

• Solid conflict resolution and mediation skills, with the ability to remain impartial and objective.

• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity.

• Proficiency in HRIS and Microsoft Office Suite.

At Ferguson, we care for each other. We value our well-being just as much as our hard work. We are committed to a holistic approach towards benefits plans and programs that support the mental, physical and financial well-being of our associates. Our competitive offering not only includes benefits like health, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance and a 401(k) with a company match, but our associates also enjoy additional meaningful and inclusive enhancements that are adaptable to their diverse situations and needs, including mental health coverage, gender affirming and family building benefits, paid parental leave, associate discounts, community involvement opportu