Beginning this summer, the University of Colorado has rolled out a new employee self-service (ESS) tool that allows employees using Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI), FMLA, and Parental Leave to apply for and manage their leave more easily.
In addition to streamlining the process for employees taking leave, the new tool also allows supervisors and department human resources contacts greater insight into open cases for their direct reports.
The university’s new ESS portal allows employees to request leave on a variety of schedules, including consecutive blocks of leave to intermittent leave to a reduced work schedule. Additionally, the new tool allows both employees and their supervisors to see the status of submitted requests, view or submit supporting documents, or update the details of their leave.
Additionally, supervisors, managers, and designated HR contacts from each department will also have access to the ESS portal which will allow them to submit and review leave requests on behalf of employees, see approval status, and run reports. However, the university stressed that supervisors, managers, and designated HR contacts will not have access to an employee’s confidential medical information.
As part of the new tool’s rollout, the university also released two new guides, one for employees requesting leave and one for supervisors, managers, and HR partners. The employee guide walks through the login process, as well as instructions for navigating several steps of the leave request and reporting process with screenshots to help locate each tool.
The university said that before rolling out the new tool university-wide, it underwent user experience testing and review. Specifically, the university said they “don’t anticipate difficulties” with using the new tool, but did ask users to share their experience with the leave team.
