Employee Relations Officer - Absence Management

Specialist - People Operations - Global Service Centre Job Title : Officer - Employee Relations (Absence Management) Job Location : [Chennai] Department : Human Resources / Employee Relations Reports To : Employee Relations Manager / HR Manager Job Summary: The Officer - Employee Relations (Absence Management) plays a key role in managing and overseeing employee absence processes, ensuring compliance with company policies, legal regulations, and best practices. This role involves administering absence-related cases, providing support to both employees and managers, and ensuring a fair and consistent approach to absence management. Key Responsibilities: Absence Management : Administer and manage the company’s absence management process, including but not limited to sick leave, medical leave, and personal leave. Monitor and track employee absence data to identify trends and potential issues. Provide guidance and support to managers and employees regarding absence-related policies and procedures. Ensure that absence management practices align with legal and regulatory requirements. Employee Support : Act as the main point of contact for employees regarding absence-related queries. Ensure employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding absence and support them through the process. Liaise with Occupational Health Services or other relevant medical professionals to assess employee health conditions and provide recommendations for accommodations or return-to-work plans. Case Management : Manage individual cases of long-term and short-term absence, ensuring the appropriate interventions and support are provided. Work closely with the Employee Relations team and other departments to ensure case resolution and employee well-being. Maintain accurate and confidential records of absence cases, including return-to-work interviews, medical certifications, and correspondence. Compliance and Reporting : Monitor compliance with the organization’s absence management policies and legal requirements, including statutory leave entitlements. Prepare and present absence reports, trends, and analytics to HR leadership for decision-making purposes. Ensure proper documentation and accurate reporting of all absence-related activities. Return-to-Work Programs : Develop and implement return-to-work strategies for employees who have been absent for extended periods, including accommodations and modified duties if necessary. Conduct return-to-work interviews to identify any ongoing issues and address them proactively. Training and Awareness : Provide training to managers on absence management policies, return-to-work processes, and how to handle absence-related issues. Promote awareness of absence management policies throughout the organization to ensure consistent application. Policy Development : Assist in the continuous review and improvement of absence management policies, ensuring alignment with best practices, legal updates, and organizational needs. Key Skills and Qualifications: Education : A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience). Experience : Previous experience in employee relations or absence management (2+ years). Strong understanding of employment laws and regulations related to absence, leave entitlements, and employee well-being. Skills : Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Experience with HR management systems or absence tracking software is a plus. Personal Attributes: Empathetic and supportive with the ability to handle sensitive employee issues. Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on resolving conflicts and issues fairly. Proactive and results-driven, with a focus on continuous improvement. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Additional Requirements: A high level of confidentiality and discretion is required due to the nature of the work. Flexibility to handle a variety of tasks and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Experience Level Mid Level