Benefits and Leave Business Partner

The Benefits & LOA Business Partner reports to the Associate Director, Total Rewards & People Operations, N.A. and assists employees in understanding the organizations benefits offerings and acts as a liaison between the organization and third-party benefits providers. Conducts orientation or enrollment meetings, advises on eligibility, costs, and coverage, and provides information for use in memos, presentations, or other benefits communications. Provides guidance during claims or enrollment processes. Maintains records related to benefits plan participation or contributions. Administers leave of absence program for all U.S. and Canadian employees. Administers and processes various reports for Federal and state government agencies.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

General

* Works with minimal supervision to address moderately complex issues and problems and collaborates on more complex issues with Associate Director, may also engage with outside vendors and the Global Total Rewards Practice Center.

* Acts in a consultative role with the utmost confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy.

* Works extensively with all levels of management and staff using appropriate combination of sound judgment and empathy.

* Brings a solid understanding of employment law within the U.S. and Canada and stays current to make recommendations and propose updates to existing policies and practices to assure benefits and leaves of absence processes are compliant, prudent, fair and equitable.

* Maintains exceptional confidentiality surrounding employee issues regarding personal health information (PHI).

* Acts professionally internally and externally to proactively promote Sage as an Employer of Choice in both the geographic and publishing communities.

* Performs other projects and duties as assigned.

Benefits Administration

* Assists in the administration of the employee benefits programs within N.A, including medical, dental, prescription drug, EAP, life insurance, short- and long-term disability. flexible spending accounts, 401(k), and other Sage benefits and perks, including 5-year Anniversary Trips, Charitable Donations, etc.

* In collaboration with the Global Total Rewards Practice Center, Associate Director, Internal Comms, and external vendors, assists with the administration of open enrollment processes, communication campaigns, and employee education initiatives related to benefits, to include system updates for online enrollment; may participate in vendor selection during the RFP process and may be an administrative contact for N.A. benefits vendors, brokers, and consultants.

* Accurately processes timely payment of regionally administered ancillary self-bill and other insurance policies.

Leaves of Absence & Disability Management

* Works closely with employees and management to efficiently and fairly process leaves of absence adhering to all company, state, and federal leave laws.

* Ability to successfully support employees and management through the interactive reasonable accommodation process following ADAAA standards, when needed.

* Ensures all workers' compensation claims are handled and reported in a prompt and legally compliant manner.

* In collaboration with the Global Total Rewards Practice Center and Associate Director, participates in periodic workers' compensation statistics meetings to review experience modification ratings and advise on status and strategize on open claims.

* Takes an active role in partnering with the Facilities Manager and Warehouse management staff to ensure safe and proper policies are adhered to when employees are working and operating heavy machinery in a warehouse setting.

* Partners with leaders to monitor for compliance with OSHA & CalOSHA, including routine inspections, audits, training and evaluating the physical aspects of work to reduce the risk of injury within warehouses and offices, to proactively make safety improvement suggestions and assists with training and protocols as needed.

Compliance & Reporting

* Provides data/analytics and ad hoc department reports detailing people measures and metrics, including but not limited to employee benefits, leaves of absence, workplace injury, etc.

* Maintains compliance with country, federal, state, or province mandated programs such as local health ordinances, EEOC, OSHA, COBRA, ADA, ACA, etc. and other legislation that impacts the employer-employee relationship when it comes to employee benefits, leaves of absence and related mandates within the U.S. and Canada.

* In collaboration with Global Practice Center and the Associate Director, actively identifies opportunities for process improvement within regional systems and workflows to enable administrative efficiencies.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

* Provide back-up support for Associate Director, Total Rewards & People Ops, N.A., as needed.

* Partners with Global Total Rewards Practice Center as needed.

* Partners with the Talent Acquisition Business Partner for N.A., to provide onboarding support for new hires.

* Partners with People & Culture on special projects, functions, and initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION:

Include, but not limited to, the following:

* 5 years of progressively responsible positions in Human Resources or adjacent roles, with experience administering employee benefits, leave of absence entitlements, disability management and workers' compensation within N.A.; self-insured employee benefit plan administration is preferred; BA/S degree in business is a plus.

* PHR/SPHR accreditation or equivalent preferred.

* Current working knowledge of employment law, both U.S. federal & state, and Canadian country and provinces are required.

* Committed to delivering high-quality and timely service, exceptional problem solver, thoughtful with high degree of empathy, proactive in approach and exceptional follow through.

* Highly skilled with Office 365 and SharePoint, recent experience with Paylocity preferred.

* Able to effectively extrapolate data, identify themes, work proactively, and act as a trusted advisor.

* Experience with leading and facilitating information sessions for individuals, small group and virtual audiences, is desired.

If you have a disability and you need any support during the application process, please contact hr.resume@sagepub.comAll qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Pay Transparency & Benefits Package:

Sage Publishing is committed to being an inclusive employer where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect. Sage is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

Compensation at Sage is influenced by several factors, including but not limited to skill set, nature and level of experience, qualifications, and other relevant considerations. Please note that the compensation details listed in U.S. role postings reflect the base salary only and do not include bonuses or benefits. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range and additional aspects of the compensation/benefits package for this position during the hiring process. If your desired salary falls outside of this range, we hope you'll still apply as there may be other positions that better align.

In addition to compensation, Sage offers a highly competitive and comprehensive PPO medical, dental, and vision care benefits package with SAGE covering most of the premium costs. Unique program benefits that support a healthy life, a company-sponsored anniversary trip every 5 years, a 401(k)-matching program of 100% up to 5% of pay, and other significant meaningful benefits. In alignment with our value for education, Sage offers financial support for bachelor's and graduate-level degree programs as well as learning for personal interest.

Sage offers freedom and autonomy in your day-to-day with hybrid or remote work, depending on the role. Join the nearly 2,000 Sage employees worldwide who deliver products and services that serve to fulfill our noble goal of education and dissemination of knowledge globally. We'd love to meet you!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Sage Publishing is committed to being an inclusive employer where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and partnership status, pregnancy and parental responsibilities, race, religion and belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We believe that diversity is a cornerstone of a vibrant culture. We want Sage to be an organization where the most talented staff and high-potential staff are recruited, have the opportunity to grow, and want to work. We strive to achieve a better representation of diverse talent at all levels, including leadership, across our workforce.