Sr. Absence Management Specialist

Danzas Corporation; Brampton, Montreal; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

DHL Express in Canada is seeking a Senior Absence Management Specialist to oversee employee absences and workplace injuries, ensuring compliance with policies and laws while supporting recovery and return-to-work. Based in Brampton, ON or Lachine, Quebec, you will coordinate with HRBPs, supervisors, and insurers to minimize disruptions, maintain records, and drive program improvements across Canada.

The role requires bilingual fluency, a relevant degree, and at least seven years of experience in

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience in a unionized environment and interpretation of collective agreement provisions related to absences and accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Administer and manage employee absence programs (sick leave, family leave, 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 on absence policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with 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 insurers and healthcare professionals.
• Develop and implement return-to-work plans, including modified duties or accommodations.
• Serve as primary contact for absence management and injury management with providers and government bodies.
• Provide training to managers and employees on absence management.
• Prepare reports on absence and injury statistics and present to senior management.
• Collaborate with HRBPs, health and safety to integrate absence management strategies into policies.
• Expand early intervention resources and improve absence management programs.

Skills

Bilingual English/French

Absence management

Disability management

Stakeholder collaboration

Data analysis / KPI reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Occupational Health & Safety, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

What makes DHL great? Our People! We know each employee’s individual contributions make us the #1 Express Delivery and Logistics Company in the world.

DHL Express is committed to maintaining an environment that empowers every team member to make the greatest possible impact on our business. Our corporate culture is about personal commitment – to our business, to each other and to our global communities. DHL is dedicated to being a great place to work. In addition to competitive compensation packages, our employees enjoy a range of programs, services and benefits that bring the best to their personal lives.

Start YOUR career with DHL today…

The Senior Absence Management Specialist is responsible for overseeing and managing employee absences and workplace injuries to ensure compliance with company policies, legal regulations, and best practices. This role involves coordinating with various departments to support employees through their recovery and return-to-work processes, while also working to minimize absenteeism and occupational/non-occupational disability leaves. This position will be accountable and responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of DHL’s absence management program. This role can be based in Brampton, ON or Lachine, Quebec.

How will you contribute to the success of DHL?

• - Absence Management:
• - 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, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.

• o Provide guidance and support to employees regarding absence policies and procedures.

• o Ensures compliance with all leave of absence and employment laws across the country by accurately completing all time away requests in a timely manner.

• - Maintain accurate and confidential records of employee absences.

• - Workplace Injury Management:
• - Working closely with our service provider, handle all aspects of workplace injury claims cases, 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 as necessary.

• o Ensure compliance with regulations and company policies and be the main point of contact with absence management service provider and Disability insurance provider as well any government bodies.

• - Maintain up-to‑date knowledge of relevant legislation and industry best practices related to workplace injuries management.

• - Coordination and Communication:
• - 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.

• o Provide training and resources to managers and employees on absence management to ensures they are aware of their responsibilities and of any documentation and notice required to qualify for and to take leave

• - Reporting, Analysis and Compliance:
• - 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.

• o Ensure all disability compensation program are managed to ensure individuals are properly adjusted for leave and paid time off circumstances

• - Oversee the accommodation management process

• - Development of new and revised processes, procedures, and form templates related to leave of absences, as needed

• o Monitor compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and report any issues or discrepancies.

• o Provide outstanding customer service in English and French, ensuring clear and effective communication and understanding of customer inquiries, concerns, and requests across Canada.

• o Prepares metrics and reports for HR leadership

• o Suggests both company and statutory policy and practice revisions as needed.

• o Expand early intervention resources to support employees

• o Collaborate and train supervisors to manage employee attendance in accordance with DHL’s absence management policies and procedures.

• o Supervise and provide direction and training to all stakeholders responsible for supporting employees with occupational and non-occupational absence and disabilities.

Do you have what it takes?

• - 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 legislation.
• - 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, including interpretation and application of collective agreement provisions related to absences, disability, and accommodation.
• - Strong labour relations and union partnership skills, with the ability to effectively manage complex cases involving union representatives.
• - Exceptional relationship management skills with employees, operational leaders, HRBPs, healthcare providers, insurers, and external stakeholders.
• - Ability to influence, coach, and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels while balancing employee, operational, and legal considerations.
• - Experience developing, implementing, and continuously improving absence management policies, programs, and processes.
• - Strong analytical capabilities, including reporting, KPI management, trend analysis, and executive-level reporting.
• - Excellent communication, conflict resolution, organizational, and case management skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism and discretion.

Thank you for your application. Those selected for an interview will be contacted.

All applicants are required to pass interviews and a criminal background check in order to qualify for the position.

We are an equal opportunity employer and believe we will succeed through the recruitment and development of staff who represent the broad diversity of the Canadian workforce.

This job description is written in accordance with the language requirements outlined in Quebec's Bill 96. Bilingualism in English and French is a fundamental requirement for this position to ensure quality service and experience for our clients. All candidates must be able to provide proof of their language proficiency during the hiring process. (adjust wording to the role specifically).