Jessica Azoba

Perform routine tasks required to administer and execute human resource programs including but not limited to compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations;performance management and talent management; productivity, recognition, retention initiatives, morale; occupational health and safety; training and development.

• Maintain all documentation related to the various leave programs to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and plans and provide the interpretation, execution, and administration of policy, procedures, legal requirements, and general guidance.
• Managed conflict resolution processes to maintain a positive work environment and resolve employee disputes effectively.
• Administered benefits programs, optimizing cost-effectiveness while providing valuable offerings to employees.
• Serves as an internal consultant by analyzing and recommending solutions for human resources issues.
• Worked with managers to achieve compliance with organizational policies, providing clarifying information and recommending necessary changes.

Served as the subject matter expert, coordinating, managing, and monitoring all leave of absence and disability programs, including FMLA, STD, LTD, worker compensation, parental, military, jury duty, personal, and education leaves in compliance with all related Federal and State employment laws.

• Coordinated worker compensation process with the vendor when an employee injury involved lost time to ensure FML coordination and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Collaborated with management in work restriction review, and coordinated the Return-to-Work process, which includes setting up drug and DOT physical testing for employees who have been out on leave for more than 90 days.
• Participated in interactive ADA discussions to find possible reasonable accommodations that do not cause undue hardship, and ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and plans, including HIPAA, ADA, and FMLA.
• Administered and communicated employee benefits programs; including health insurance, retirement plans, supplemental plans and life insurance, and assist with enrollment options and inquiries.
• Conducted benefits presentations for new hires, and facilitated open enrollment processes to promote understanding of coverage and options.
• Resolved complex employee issues regarding benefit coverage disputes, deductions, adjustments, or pay by working collaboratively with payroll and vendors.
• Contributed to the overall success of the HR team by providing expertise and support in other areas as needed, such as recruitment or employee relations.

Provided administrative support for all leaves of absence, including medical, FMLA, STD, LTD, military, unpaid personal leaves, jury duty, bereavement, and workers' compensation ensuring Federal and state compliance.

• Administered benefit programs including, maintaining associate data, auditing, and consolidating elections, verifying associate eligibility, and processing file feed to external vendors.
• Partnered with leave vendor (Sedgwick) on the day-to-day leave process by managing workflow, including tracking all leave of absence, identifying discrepancies, obtaining necessary approvals, and/or following up on outstanding issues.
• Managed employee escalations, invoicing, pay, and disability payment coordination with payroll and external vendors through the ticketing system, webchat, and phone calls.
• Assisted employees with complex benefits-related issues, resolving concerns quickly and professionally.

• Served as an initial point of contact for all HR-related inquiries.
• Handled inbound calls, cases, and online web chats to identify associates’ needs, processed necessary transactions, and escalated issues as required Initiated outbound calls/contact for issue resolution and follow-up
• Adhered to all service level agreements (SLAs) established by HR Shared Services and appropriately documented case details and relevant information in the case management system
• Served as primary support for associates and managers with Employee Self Service (ESS) and Manager Self Service (MSS) transactions
• Collaborated with other cross-functional team members to resolve employee issues promptly
• Participated in data review, auditing, and user acceptance testing of new processes, procedures, and system changes.

• Served as a liaison between the People Department, customers, and internal teammates by providing superior customer service by greeting, directing, and addressing high-level policy, benefit, and procedural questions
• Maintain a safe and secure human resources reception area by complying with company procedures, policies, and regulations
• Manage and process all human resources department bills, payments, office supply inventory, and small purchases per the procurement guidelines
• Complete, verify, and submit administrative paperwork, including forms for employment verification, invoicing, and other required forms
• Support the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) by entering new employee data, updating employee position, pay, status changes, separation information, and completing audit reports
• Perform administrative functions for the HR department, including answering phones, preparing, and typing correspondence, photocopying, maintaining, filing records, and preparing and distributing departmental reports.

Liaised between management and employees to deliver conflict resolution, alleviate problems, and interpret compensation and benefits policies.

• Partnered with senior leadership to establish and develop corporate and HR policies and procedures.
• Provided daily sourcing, candidate screening, and communicating job duties, compensation, benefits, and working conditions to all potential candidates.
• Worked closely with hiring managers on candidate pipeline, interview feedback, and strategies to be taken to find the right candidates.
• Coordinated onboarding for all new employees, i.e., completion of new hire paperwork, employee benefit enrolment, creating badges, and tracking post-offer pre-placement exams (including background and drug screenings).
• Created audits and filed personnel paperwork, i.e., FMLA tracking, claims, child support, disability, 401(K), I-9s, E-Verify, etc.
• Coordinated transfers, new positions, return from leave, re-hire, terminations, relocations, vacations, and updated employee data in the HRIS.

Performed full-cycle HR management, developed comprehensive performance programs, and implemented process improvements to boost staff retention.

• Played an active role in recruiting, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention activities and strategies.
• Build and develop effective relationships with leaders across the organization to develop strategic HR solutions that address business challenges
• Actively enforce HR programs, policies, procedures, and Lunch and learn interactions.
• Provided proactive employee relations support to leaders across the organization, conducted workplace investigations, when necessary, advised and coached during disciplinary procedures.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in systems and programs including onboarding, performance and development planning, talent, and succession planning, etc.
• Provided compensation support including recommendations for and final approval of pay changes and increases.