Steven Anderson

Absence Management Specialist @Air Liquide

Houston, TX, US

Manages the leave of absence and accommodation programs throughout the United States with a strong working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, CFRA, PDL, and state specific leave and disability requirements• Collaborates with management, Human Resource Business Partners, Employee Relations, and external Legal Counsel to analyze and resolve complex LOA and accommodation issues. • Ensure manager and employees adhere to company return to work policy. • Provides STD/LTD guidance to employees and coordinates with third party administrators to ensure STD/LTD benefits are processed according to the plan documents. • Monitors, tracks, and maintains all records for work-related injuries and absences and prepares periodic reports on safety, work related absences and modified duty.• Manage the company\'s Worker Compensation and Physical Abilities Testing (PAT) Programs throughout the US and liaison with various TPA\'s and employees.• Investigates and maintains workers’ compensation claims and evaluates coverage and/or liability. Secures necessary information (i.e, reports, policies, appraisals, releases, statements, or other documents) in the investigation of claims process.• Initiate conversations, where applicable, with external legal counsel on employee leave issues which might include evaluating loss, assess settlements value where applicable and settle cases with claimants, insured and attorneys autonomously.• Works toward the timely resolution of claims files, and attend arbitrations, meditations or trials as necessary and initiate claims investigations as needed.• Manages settlements/reserves within prescribed limits and submits recommendations to upper management on cases exceeding personal authority. Holds TPA accountable for services performed in accordance with master agreement.• Control costs and make recommendations to improve the program or reduce claims related to employee injury and accidents.