Contrary to popular belief, FMLA doesn’t actually stand for “Frequently Managing Laborious Absences.” That said, HR and People Ops leaders know all too well how tedious it is to facilitate and track all the aspects of the Family and Medical Leave Act. With rules and regulations aplenty, FMLA management is a recurring part of the gig that can leave even the most seasoned HR pros contemplating early retirement on a beach somewhere far, far away.
While “early retirement” is a completely fictitious concept, reality offers a solution to your woes, and it’s called outsourcing your FMLA administration. Picture this: instead of drowning in a sea of medical certificates, email inquiries, and eligibility forms, you’re sipping your coffee, feet up, as someone else wrestles with this beast of a bureaucratic process.
Outsourcing your FMLA process is your golden ticket to becoming the HR superhero you were always meant to be. It’s the secret ingredient that liberates you from the endless FMLA phone calls and lets you focus on more exciting HR endeavors, like planning the annual office karaoke showdown.
Top Reasons for Outsourcing FMLA
Compliance Expertise
Navigating FMLA regulations is like embarking on a journey through a legal labyrinth filled with twists, turns, and the occasional pitfall. Maintaining FMLA compliance is a non-negotiable task, however, as the consequences of missteps can be as financially draining as they are headache-inducing.
It’s all about picking the right FMLA experts who eat, sleep, and breathe FMLA regulations, and stay up-to-date with the latest changes and interpretations so you don’t have to. By outsourcing your FMLA management you’re not just avoiding the legal pitfalls, you’re leapfrogging over them. Any FMLA management solution worth their salt should have in-depth knowledge of every federal and state law, ensure your policies and procedures align perfectly with them, and reduce your risk of audits, fines, and disgruntled employees that could put your organization in some legal hot water.
Cost Savings
Managing FMLA is complex, risky, and can burn a hole in your resources. First, consider the staffing costs. Maintaining an in-house team to handle FMLA can be expensive. You’ll need knowledgeable HR professionals who understand the intricacies of FMLA regulations, and have a passion for staying on top of changes in real-time. By outsourcing, you gain access to a team of FMLA experts without the hefty payroll.
Secondly, there are the technology and infrastructure costs. Staying compliant with FMLA often requires investing in software, systems, and tools for record-keeping, reporting, and communication. Outsourcing providers typically come equipped with state-of-the-art technology, sparing you the capital expenditure and ongoing maintenance costs.
Reduced Burden & Increased Efficiency
You know what they say (who is “they,” anyway?), time is money, and with the proper outsourced FMLA management solution, you should be wasting zero time worrying about FMLA. From processing paperwork to coordinating employee leave, to tracking and reporting intermittent leaves, the sheer volume of tasks can overwhelm even the most dedicated HR teams.
Giving your FMLA laundry list to the experts introduces an exponential increase in your team’s operational efficiency. This means you can finally focus on the strategic initiatives you’ve been having to perpetually put on the back burner.
Improved Employee Experience
The right administrator solution knows that the frustration and confusion around FMLA isn’t unique to HR and People Ops teams. Your employees feel it too. Effective FMLA support provides consistent and timely communication to employees, ensuring they understand their rights and responsibilities, and are available to answer questions should they arise.
In essence, outsourcing FMLA administration is like giving your employees GPS for their FMLA journey. It guides them through the process with ease, minimizes confusion, and leaves them feeling supported by an organization that truly cares about their well-being. As a result, employee morale and loyalty can soar, contributing to a happier and more engaged workforce.
Picking the right FMLA management solution
Whether it’s compliance expertise, cost savings, increased efficiency, or improved employee experiences you seek, a well-chosen outsourcing partner can make all the difference. So, embark on this journey with caution, conducting thorough research, and evaluating potential providers against your unique needs.
Consider their track record, reputation, and commitment to staying on top of FMLA regulations. After all, the right FMLA management solution isn’t just a partner; it’s a guardian against pitfalls, a facilitator of growth, and the key to ensuring a smoother, more compliant, and more productive HR landscape.
About Tilt
Tilt is leading the charge in all things leave of absence management through easy-to-use tech and human touch. Since 2017, our proprietary platform and Empathy Warriors have been helping customers make leave not suck by eliminating administrative burdens, keeping companies compliant, and providing a truly positive and supportive leave of absence experience for their people.
