Sr. Absence Management Specialist

DHL Express; Brampton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

DHL Express in Brampton, Ontario (or Lachine, Quebec) seeks a Senior Absence Management Specialist to oversee employee absences and injury management, coordinating with HR and leaders to minimize absenteeism and support return-to-work programs.

The role emphasizes bilingual English/French capability, 7+ years in absence/disability management, and knowledge of Canadian employment standards and workers’ compensation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, OHS, or related field required.
• Minimum 7 years in absence and disability management.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian employment standards and leave laws.
• Experience with workers' comp and health & safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee absence programs including sick and family leave.
• Monitor absences to identify patterns and trends.
• Coordinate with employees, supervisors, and HRBPs on absences.
• Provide guidance on absence policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with leave laws across Canada.
• Manage injury claims, reporting, and communications with insurers.
• Develop return-to-work plans with modified duties.
• Maintain confidential absence records and prepare reports.
• Deliver bilingual service (English/French) nationwide.

Skills

Absence management

Disability management

Leave legislation

Return-to-work

Data reporting

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / OHS / Business Admin

Job description

DHL Express is seeking a Senior Absence Management Specialist based in Brampton, Ontario (or Lachine, Quebec). This senior role is responsible for overseeing and managing employee absences and workplace injuries to ensure compliance with company policies, legal regulations, and best practices. The successful candidate will coordinate with various departments to support employees through their recovery and return-to-work processes, while working to minimize absenteeism and occupational/non-occupational disability leaves.

Key Responsibilities:

• Administer and manage employee absence programs, including sick leave, family leave, and other types of leave
• Monitor and track employee absences to identify patterns and trends
• Coordinate with employees, supervisors, and HRBPs to manage planned and unplanned absences
• Provide guidance and support to employees regarding absence policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance with all leave of absence and employment laws across Canada
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of employee absences
• Handle all aspects of workplace injury claims, including reporting, documentation, and communication with insurance providers and healthcare professionals
• Collaborate with injured employees and leaders to develop and implement return-to-work plans, including modified duties or accommodations
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and industry best practices related to workplace injury management
• Act as the primary point of contact for employees, supervisors, and external stakeholders regarding absence and injury management
• Work closely with HRBPs, health and safety, and other departments to integrate absence and injury management strategies into overall workplace policies
• Provide training and resources to managers and employees on absence management
• Prepare and present reports on absence and workplace injury claims statistics, trends, and outcomes to senior management
• Analyze data to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to enhance absence and injury management programs
• Oversee the accommodation management process
• Monitor compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
• Provide bilingual service (English and French) to employees and stakeholders across Canada
• Prepare metrics and reports for HR leadership
• Suggest company and statutory policy and practice revisions as needed
• Expand early intervention resources to support employees

Requirements:

• Fully bilingual in English and French (mandatory)
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Occupational Health & Safety, Business Administration, or a related field
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in absence management and disability management
• Expertise managing occupational and non-occupational disability claims
• Strong knowledge of Canadian employment standards, leave legislation, human rights, and accommodation requirements
• Solid understanding of workers' compensation and occupational health & safety legislationli>
• Proven experience leading accommodation, modified work, and return-to-work programs
• Demonstrated success in attendance management, early intervention, and disability prevention strategies
• Extensive experience working in a unionized/labour relations environment
• Strong labour relations and union partnership skills
• Exceptional relationship management skills with employees, operational leaders, HRBPs, healthcare providers, insurers, and external stakeholders
• Strong analytical capabilities, including reporting, KPI management, trend analysis, and executive-level reporting
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, organizational, and case management skills

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Occupational Health & Safety, Business Administration, or a related field. Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in absence management and disability management. Full bilingualism in English and French is mandatory. Extensive experience in a unionized/labour relations environment required.