Abilities and Accommodation Partner

**POSITION TITLE**:Abilities and Accommodation Partner

**REPORTING RELATIONSHIP**:
Reports to and works under the direction and supervision of the Human Resources (HR) Manager.

**PURPOSE AND SCOPE**:
The Abilities and Accommodation Partner (AAP) is responsible for managing all aspects of disability case management, workplace accommodations, and return-to-work planning for employees at Six Nations of the Grand River (SNGR). This role ensures legislative compliance, employee support, and effective collaboration with managers and external stakeholders to facilitate safe and sustainable return-to-work outcomes. The AAP works under the direction of the HR Manager to administer accommodation and leave programs in accordance with SNGR policies and relevant legislation. This position requires strict adherence to confidentiality and professional judgment due to the sensitive nature of medical and accommodation information.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**1. Technical Functions**:

- Manage and support the full lifecycle of employee disability claims (Short-Term and Long-Term) and all employee legislatively supported leave of absences, including education and personal leave of absences.
- Evaluate and coordinate workplace accommodation requests in accordance with legislative obligations and internal policies.
- Implement and monitor return-to-work programs, including transitional or modified duties aligned with medical capabilities and operational needs.
- Review and analyze medical, employment, and contractual documents to determine eligibility for benefits and accommodations.
- Maintain accurate tracking of medical documents, doctor’s notes, and disability-related updates in the HRIS system (UKG).
- Calculate and coordinate benefit and pension payment continuation throughout the lifecycle of disability claims.
- Ensure compliance with applicable legislation including the Canada Labour Code, Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and the Canadian Human Rights Act.
- Conduct regular follow-ups with employees and medical providers to evaluate recovery status and return-to-work readiness.
- Identify and implement cost-effective case management strategies such as early intervention resources, functional ability evaluations, and independent medical examinations.
- Monitor trends and prepare periodic disability and injury management reports to support planning and decision-making.
- Assess complex or recurring claims and escalate unresolved issues to legal, third-party insurers, or senior leadership as appropriate.
- Monitor third-party adjudicator’s performance (if applicable) to ensure service-level expectations and case quality.
- Participate in accommodation-related investigations and ensure appropriate documentation is maintained in accordance with privacy laws.
- Collaborate with external benefit providers or insurers to resolve complex eligibility or coverage issues when applicable

**2. Administration Functions**:

- Maintain well-organized, confidential files and ensure documentation accuracy across all disability, leaves and accommodation processes.
- Accurately prepare and process disability claim forms, medical updates, payroll adjustments, and documentation for employee leaves.
- Liaise with Payroll to validate timesheet entries, leave status, accrual and timekeeping profiles and leave records for employees on disability, leave or accommodation.
- Enter and update relevant information on UKG related to accommodations, medical leaves, and return-to-work plans.
- Assist in the development, review, and ongoing improvement of disability management policies, procedures, and documentation standards.
- Prepare disability management and leave packages, correspondence, and case updates for internal and external stakeholders as needed.
- Track and archive all documents in compliance with data retention policies and legislative requirements.
- Ensure timely entry of all required data for metrics and audit trail purposes; support audits or reporting requests as needed. Complete monthly statistical reporting.
- Support internal audits related to accommodation or leave practices and provide data/reports to senior leadership as required.
- **Communication Functions**:

- Act as the primary liaison between employees, HR business partners, managers, healthcare providers, third-party insurers, and other stakeholders to support disability, leave and accommodation cases.
- Engage employees with empathy and professionalism to understand personal and medical circumstances affecting their work.
- Conduct intake and follow-up conversations to gather required documentation and support return-to-work strategies.
- Provide timely and courteous responses to inquiries from employees, physicians, and internal departments regarding claims, leaves and accommodations.
- Deliver education and training sessions to managers and staff on accommodation protocols, disability management procedures