Guardian Leave Management

Guardian simplifies and manages a wide range of leave types, ensuring employees receive the right coverage and benefits. The platform supports:

Parental Leave (for both birthing and non-birthing parents):

• Birthing Parent Leave – includes pregnancy-related medical conditions, recovery, and bonding time
  
  

• Non-Birthing Parent Leave – includes adoption and foster care for those welcoming a child
  
  

Medical Leave – for your own serious health condition, including:

• Short-Term Disability (STD)

• Serious illnesses or injuries

• Surgery and recovery periods
  
  

Caregiver Leave – for caring for a family member with a serious health condition, including:

• Spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, or other eligible dependents
  
  

FMLA and State-Specific Leave:
Guardian helps determine your eligibility and manage claims under:

• The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  
  

State-mandated paid and unpaid leave programs (e.g., NY PFL, MA PFML, CA CFRA)

1. Connect with HR
Email HR@orchestraco.com to begin the process. HR will send you an intro email and link to get started.

2. Log in to Guardian
Once you have access, use the guided process to explore your leave options based on your state and company policies.

3. Submit Your Claim
Guardian will handle filing claims with Guardian, state agencies, and our payroll team on your behalf.

4. Track Your Pay
View a clear breakdown of your payments, including contributions from state benefits, Guardian insurance, and Orchestra.

💡 Example: If you're taking parental leave, Guardian will show exactly how your salary is covered from different sources and when to expect your payments.

• Report absences promptly: 30 days in advance if foreseeable, or as soon as possible if not.
  
  

• Stay in touch: Guardian may ask for periodic updates on your status and intent to return.
  
  

• Request extensions early: Notify Guardian before your leave end date if you need more time.
  
  

• Intermittent leave: Report time off via phone, email, or the self-service portal.
  
  

Return-to-work certification: If your leave is for your own health condition, you’ll need a doctor’s note confirming fitness to return.

The Guardian Self-Service Portal gives you quick, private access to manage your leave details:

• View your leave history and remaining entitlement
  
  

• Request new or extended leave
  
  

• Report intermittent absences
  
  

• Upload documents
  
  

• Track payments and notifications
  
  

👉 Access Guardian Anytime

• Pay: Depending on your leave type, you may receive pay through state benefits, company-paid time off, or Guardian STD benefits.
  
  

• Health Insurance: Your coverage continues during approved leave. HR will coordinate your premium payments.
  
  

• Use of PTO: You may use accrued PTO during your leave—this doesn’t extend total leave time.
  
  

• Tax Documents: 

  1. Guardian will mail W-2 forms directly to you for any leave payments they issued to you. 

  2. Please keep your Guardian emails for reference.  You’ll need them to access your 2025 W-2.

• Job Protection: Approved FMLA and state leaves guarantee reinstatement to your same or equivalent position.
  
  

• Married Couple Rule: If both spouses work for Orchestra Group, combined FMLA leave for parental or family care reasons may be limited to 12 weeks total.
  
  

• Timely Reporting: Report new leave requests within two weeks when possible.
  
  

• Fitness for Duty: Required before returning from a medical leave.

Email HR@orchestraco.com 

or call Guardian at 888-889-2953.