Specialist, Attendance Management

Job Summary

Reporting to the  Supervisor, Attendance Management & Lost Time, the Specialist, Attendance Management is responsible for processes related to; managing lost time (Disability Leaves, such as Weekly Indemnity, LTD, WSIB); absenteeism, both culpable and non-culpable in Transit, and supporting the Attendance Support Program for the Transit Team. This role will actively monitor the attendance of employees, coordinate timely meetings with staff to review absenteeism. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Support the Supervisor, Attendance and Lost Time in developing processes to manage absenteeism, both culpable and non-culpable for over 1200 unionized ATU staff ensuring consistency in process in a unionized environment.
• Ensure processes are administered consistently and are compliant with the Collective Agreement, Policies and Legislative Requirements.
• Work closely with the Data Management team in Transit Operations to manage the absenteeism/attendance statistics to ensure meetings are completed in a timely and effective manner.
• Attend attendance support meetings and ensure correspondences are drafted and distributed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the Union Executives, Human Resources, Labour Relations and Employee Health Services to foster a positive relationship, manage and understand the absences, accommodation needs and return to work plans.
• Work closely with Claims Management Specialist on absence coding and the status of adjudicated Sun Life and Works Safety and Insurance Board claims.
• Support and counsel employees, new leaders and union representatives on program design and administration.
• Analyzes absenteeism information, identifies trends and patterns, and communicates results using multiple influencing strategies to Operational Leadership, Human Resources and Labour Relations
• Collaborates with leadership and prepares appropriate attendance letters.
• Provide recommendations and strategies to Employee Health Services and Supervisor, Attendance & Lost Time for challenging cases.
• Initiates quality improvement plans and strategies based on data and metrics collected.
• Identify any contributing factors impacting employee attendance and work with the Human Resources staff, the City’s Disability Management Specialists, Employee Health Services, and other stakeholders to develop supportive programs and initiatives.
• Assist in developing and providing ongoing training programs to educate employees and management about the Attendance Support Management Program, while ensuring compliance with legislation and applicable acts.
• Manage confidentiality of sensitive information about disabilities, accommodation needs, restrictions etc.while communicating to parties and ensuring protection of personal information.

Skills and Qualifications

• Degree in business administration, human resources, or related field. 
• Minimum of five (5) years experience in a fast paced operational environment
• Equivalent combination of education and related work experience will be considered
• Experience in a unionized environment
• Experience with  Attendance and Absenteeism Management, Disability Management, Labour Relations and/or Workplace Investigations
• Comprehensive knowledge of Legislative requirements, including Human Rights and Employment legislation, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Bill 132, and Employment Standards Act.
• Must have advanced communication skills, both verbal and writing
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to provide coaching/mentoring
• Strong critical thinking, analytical skills, research and investigative skills required
• Excellent time management, attention to detail and organizational skills required