Mario Romero-Gaugh

Contract Assignment with Amazon

• Experienced in answering questions related to ADA, understanding the employee’s situation, responding to changing circumstances and needs, and paving the way for a connected and trusted case management experience
• Pursued return-to-work management and collaboration with leave case managers and disability vendors to ensure effectiveness administration of the program
• Provided consultation and coach regarding all accommodation matters to designated regional HR partners, managers, and employees
• Provided information, referral, and support to high level stakeholders and human resources regarding employees with medical conditions or disabilities (both occupational and non-occupational) while maintaining the employee medical information in strict confidentiality in all verbal and written communications
• Operated as an advocate for the accommodations process by providing ongoing consultative support to site stakeholders and accommodation specialists with a focus on problem solving and creative solutions
• Managed sensitive cases such as behavioral health conditions
• Assisted human resources and department supervisors in identifying essential and marginal functions of employee positions
• Conducted job site analyses as needed
• Assisted employees in understanding their restrictions and limitations and their legal rights and responsibilities
• Maintained knowledge on current legislations for federal, states leave laws and ADAAA guidelines. As well for national, state, aid resources and local issues affecting access for employees with disabilities
• Provided business unit’s training needs and/or group training sessions as appropriate
• Provided professional opinion and actions taken on behalf of disabled employees in formal grievances, arbitration, depositions, and other forums as requested
• Worked on sensitive cases including those involving service animals, deaf/hearing cases, wheelchair cases, sight cases, medication cases, job coach requests, travel requests, safety concerns cases
• Performed and provided training and walkthroughs as needed, 1-2 times a month for 1-2 hours at a time and conducting meetings with stakeholders

• Managed all leaves of absence in accordance to company policies, federal, state and local regulations. Partned with payroll department, employees and managers, legal to ensure efficient and compliant processing of leaves and accomodations
• Educated and Facilitated the leave initiation process, and monitor all leave activity throughout the course of the various types of leaves; verified and communicated sick leave, vacation, and paid time off coverage, accruals and premium balances to employees and managed the arrears invoices and payments
• Independently and responsibly approved and/or denied leave cases based on relevant medical information, company policies, or other required documentation state and federal regulations
• Developed for property managers an excel tracker sheet, followed all required documentation, including compliance notices, to employees, managers, and applicable HR team members and updated the HRIS system accordingly
• Supported coordination of all return-to-work and accommodations for all properties company wide. Partnered with property managers and regional vice president in the interactive process as required by ADA/FEHA, resulting in the offer of reasonable accommodations to employees. and provided feedback and support separation of employment to accomodations that would have caused undue hardship indicated by the ADAAA guidelines
• Responsible for management of the interactive process as required by ADA/FEHA, resulting in the offer of reasonable accommodations to employees
• Escalated inability to communicate and/or accommodate on complex cases and return to work efforts and provided feedback and supported separation of employment to accomodations that would have caused undue hardship indicated by the ADAAA guidelines with guidance and partnership with our senior HR management team legal
• Preserved confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files
• Drafted developed and implemented revisions to company all leave and accomodations communication to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations in partnership with the vice president of labor law
• Ensured best practices for reasonable accommodations are in place and coordinate compliance with regards to the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) and California employment and privacy laws surrounding employees with disabilities
• Developed training material for managers and employees company-wide building accountability and good understanding of the process and each partner responsibilities
• Maintained integrity and confidentiality of human resource files and records.
• Performed periodic audits of HR files and records to verify proper collection and filing of FMLA documents.
• Coordinated benefits and process enrollments, changes and terminations for benefit plans with specific expertise in FMLA.
• Understood FMLA laws and regulations and kept abreast of human resource principles, practices and procedures.

• Managed all company's leaves including Paid Parental Leave, Disability leaves, Military leaves, Personal Leaves, Sick and Family leave (including federal and state family leave laws), and other leaves as assigned, supporting Accommodations requests, Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) requests whether associated with a leave or as a stand-alone request
• Assisted in the implementation go live date of Oracle Leave module
• Resolved issues escalated from Prudential on associate applications for STD and LTD as well to coordinate with payroll when associates transition to State Disability benefits to avoid any overpayment.

Remote Contract Assignment with Penske

• Managed pandemic quarantines, making decisions on quarantine length, pay, and return to work using a company matrix.
• Supported a small team reviewing all COVID 19 completed vaccinations uploaded by team members to determine document was in compliance with CDC guidelines and Return to Work company policy
• Determined the proper course of action based on the associate's scenario, determine qualifying pay, and advise the associate accordingly
• Determined if when an associate's situation requires escalation from FMLA Source on team members requests for FMLA and ADA leaves; reviewed ADAAA leave coaching packet with HR and Operations, and made decisions regarding grant/denial of ADAAA leave request

Contract Assignment With Brinker International

• Managed federal, state and company leaves
• Managed request for STD & LTD carriers and acted as liaison for team members transitioning to LTD and provided to TPA team members benefit break spreadsheet for total calculation for LTD pay.
• Provided recommendations for process improvement for efficient and accurate workflow
• Assessed reasonable accommodation requests under the American with Disabilities Act and state laws
• Provided initiative-taking communication to team members and managers resolving any benefits issues with TPA
• Developed associate leave communications and (FAQ-Spanish) to improve team member engagement
• Supported annual open enrollment process and assisted in the final draft of the OR Spanish enrollment guide

• Managed all leave programs, including military leave (USERRA) and ADAAA accommodation requests in alignment and under the general guidance of HR and legal leadership
• Continually reviewed the Leave Program and processes and implement changes as required
• Managed the entire lifecycle of the leave process from inception of the leave through the Return-to-Work
• Managed and resolved complex employee relations matters in a consistent, empathetic, and legally sound manner
• Developed associate leave communications and (FAQ-Spanish) to improve team member engagement
• Partnered with operations, payroll, benefits, business partners and legal for escalated issues
• Learned new skills and applied to daily tasks to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Improved operations through consistent hard work and dedication.
• Developed team communications and information for meetings.
• Worked with senior case managers to coordinate team development activities and trainings.
• Built relationships with clients using active listening and issue resolution to provide excellent service.
• Maintained high standards of customer service by building relationships with clients.
• Displayed consistent, positive attitude towards customers, peers and other personnel, even during high-stress situations.
• Coordinated implementation of people-related services, policies and programs through departmental staff.
• Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
• Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
• Collected and analyzed information to monitor compliance outcomes and identify and address trends of non-compliant behavior.

• Managed all leave programs, including military leave (USERRA) and ADAA accommodation requests in alignment and under the general guidance of HR and legal leadership
• Continually reviewed the Leave Program and processes and implement changes as required
• Managed the entire lifecycle of the leave process from inception of the leave through the Return-to-Work
• Performed and resolved complex employee relations matters in a consistent, empathetic, and legally sound manner
• Developed associate leave communications and (FAQ-Spanish) to improve team member engagement
• Partnered with operations, payroll, benefits, business partners, and legal for escalated issues
• Provided excellent organizational skills managing multiple priorities and tasks for 350 plus caseload
• Consistently used applicable business process documentation such as job aids, checklists, fact training manuals, and department bulletins
• Recommended course of action with effective resolutions that applied knowledge and understanding of HR guidelines and employment laws to our HRBP'S.
• Partnered with regions legal counsel regarding employment termination for team members out on leave due to failure of following compliance with company policy and federal guidelines by providing all leave historical documents and communication with team members. Assisted when required in unemployment hearings for cases that we're not entitled to the benefit
• Assisted in the implementation of Kronos and Workday by testing the products in sandbox. Moving all historical cases to create profile and established new current cases both in Kronos and Workday
• Supported the benefits team during OE and any additional tasks needed.
• Improved office efficiency by effectively managing internal communications and correspondence.
• Improved organizational filing systems for confidential employee records, resulting in improved accessibility and efficiency.
• Advocated for staff members, helping to identify and resolve conflicts.
• Collected and analyzed information to monitor compliance outcomes and identify and address trends of non-compliant behavior.
• Coordinated implementation of people-related services, policies and programs through departmental staff.
• Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
• Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
• Improved operations through consistent hard work and dedication.
• Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.

• Conducted the preparation of pension plan terminated vested benefits calculations
• Conducted data extracts analysis of data reports for the actuary
• Managed all inquiries for retired team members regarding the distribution of payments and retirement plan requirements
• Assisted with special projects as needed
• Exemplified Service First philosophy for the retirement area.
• Resolved issues and inquiries from plan participants regarding health and welfare benefits and deductions through telephone, email and in-person interactions.
• Checked employees' benefits enrollment for accuracy and inputted all data into PeopleSoft
• Observed strict procedures to maintain data and plan participant confidentiality.
• Improved organizational filing systems for confidential employee records, resulting in improved accessibility and efficiency.
• Improved office efficiency by effectively managing internal communications and correspondence.

• Managed leave administration encompassing all leave transactions with FMLA, LOA, ADA, HIPAA, & COBRA laws and administration with basic knowledge of 401 (k) plans and understanding relationship between HR and Payroll
• Provided employee education of company benefits programs and policies, ensuring timely and accurate enrollment or changes
• Worked closely with Payroll and external disability bene t vendors to ensure accurate tracking and pay of employees on LOA
• Project Details
• Fishing for Compliments
• Fishing for Compliments thru Great Customer Service
• A teambuilding exercise project emphasizing the importance of customer service experience.
• Liaised with other service agencies and coordinated level and type of support for clients.
• Understood FMLA laws and regulations and kept abreast of human resource principles, practices and procedures.
• Coordinated benefits and process enrollments, changes and terminations for benefit plans with specific expertise in FMLA.
• Performed periodic audits of HR files and records to verify proper collection and filing of FMLA documents.
• Maintained integrity and confidentiality of human resource files and records.
• Facilitated corporate FMLA, employee group health, flexible spending accounts, dental and vision, accident and disability, life insurance and wellness benefits.
• Worked with medical teams, patients and families to implement effective treatment plans.
• Documented case notes daily and coordinated follow-up for seamless case management.
• Organized clinical documentation, treatment plans and referrals.