Leave of Absence Process

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Spurred by the feedback from its customers, Mecklenburg County Human Resources has implemented a more user-friendly and efficient leave of absence process. Departmental stakeholders met with Human Resources staff and discussed their experiences before, during and after an employee’s absence. The previous process had been initiated by a paper form, lacked specific communication plans, was not clear on ownership changes and has multiple points of contact. Human Resources developed a new leave of absence process which begins with an online initiation by the employee. This new process includes electronic updates, defines and communicates ownership of the entire process and removes most of the departmental responsibility from the process. HR has assumed the role of entering time for employees on leave, and the HR Leave of Absence Coordinator (LOAC) is the primary contact for communication. Departmental staff is no longer involved in the specifics of the employee’s leaver, but is kept informed of any changes and the intended date of the employee’s return to work. The LOAC is responsible for maintaining the appropriate employment and time entry issues for the absent employee.