We are a great company with great pay and great benefits. Ergon, Inc. is a relationship-driven company that values each employee's willingness to learn and contribute to the team. We are family owned with locations throughout the U.S., but we pride ourselves on maintaining a small company feel.
Ergon currently has an opening for a Benefits and Leave Specialist to join the Human Resources Department at its corporate office in Flowood, MS. The Benefits and Leave Specialist is a key member of the Benefits Team acting as an integral collaborative partner across the organization. This role will manage and administer the Leave of Absence process, Federal and State compliance, short-term disability claims and payments, advise employees and managers, partner with vendor to process long-term disability claims, act as a liaison between employees, vendors, TPA's, brokers and business segment HR and management.
Benefits and Leave Specialist Job Duties:
- Support the Benefits Team strategic goals, including wellness and recognition launch
- Partner with HR/Payroll Team to roll out and launch of ticketing system and act as an escalation point for benefit questions received by the HR Coordinators/service center
- Act as the LOA Administrator for Ergon, Inc, SME for employee and manager questions related to Federal and State leave of absence, ADA, and company policy compliance
- Partner with embedded HR manager (where applicable) and Payroll to ensure compliance with FMLA, Federal and State Leave requirements and company policy
- Act as a liaison between business unit HR/Managers, employee and Payroll to ensure documentation is processed/received timely, requested restrictions and/or accommodation requests are approved/denied and the applicable notification(s) made
- Develop SOP's and training
- Act as the primary point of contact for employees to initiate a Short-Term and/or Long-Term Disability Claim
- Generate the applicable documentation for Federal/State leave programs, advise employee
- Generate applicable reporting or work closely with Payroll to obtain reporting to manage the calculation of the 'average weekly pay' for hourly employees' STD claim payment
- Work with Payroll to create a SOP document for the new program and process of tracking and paying STD claims
- Work with HRIS on reporting available to determine metrics on usage and type(s) of sick time and STD usage to recommend changes for 2026 plan year
- Manage the 'grandfathered' tenure credit for applicable business units
- Partner with Crafco HR to manage the 'accumulated sick time' that should be exhausted first for applicable STD claims
- Work with broker on LTD claim submission, approval/denial, and any employee assistance needed
- Ensure NYL is advised of proper taxation (LTD benefit taxed or not taxed) once system allows for employees to choose between: imputed income tax on premium vs. LTD benefit payment taxed.
- Support Benefit Team and business units during annual open enrollment
Benefits and Leave Specialist Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution preferred or equivalent years of experience required
- Five or more years supporting Benefits, Leave Management and/or Human Resources is preferred
- Understanding of Employer Benefit plans and how they are used by employees and how they interact with FMLA and non-FMLA leaves of absence (PPO, HDHP, HSA, FSA, Life, STD, LTD, 401(k), EAP), prior experience working with Benefit administration systems (bSwift, ADP module, etc.)
- Time management skills, ability to work both independently and as part of a team effectively
- Intermediate knowledge with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Hybrid Position: up to 25% travel may be required
Interested applicants should respond with a cover letter and resume. External applicants must submit salary requirements in order to be considered.
Ergon offers a competitive benefits package for our employees: 401(k) Match, Health, Life, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA, Holidays, Vacation, Sick Leave, Tuition Assistance and Profit Sharing
Ergon is an EEO/AAP Employer.
Employment offer is contingent upon pre-employment drug test, background check, and MVR.
Job Reference: Benefits and Leave Specialist
Employment offer contingent upon pre-employment drug test, background check, and MVR.
Job Posted by ApplicantPro