Job Title

Senior Employee Relations Specialist

Job Description Summary

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for the delivery of employee relations governance and consulting services to designated internal clients on ER matters. Key skills required to be successful in this role are exceptional communication skills—especially in a virtual environment, strong connection and relationship skills, action orientation and responsive mindset, and the ability to write and document issues with clarity and precision. This role reports to the ER Manager for the service line.

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist will take the lead on ER cases and will partner with dedicated HR Business Partners (HRBPs) on standard to complex ER cases.

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist will utilize a Case Management system to store and track case notes and generate ER metrics reports for various client groups.

Job Description

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsible for the delivery of Employee Relations consulting services to dedicated client groups on standard to complex ER matters.
Work with employees and their managers to understand perspectives and to guide toward resolution of conflict or issues. Suggest proactive solutions to address employee and business needs.

Investigate standard to complex internal employee complaints.  Recommend solutions to management and dedicated HRBPs, including consistent corrective action or termination, based on company policies, weighing legal risk factors to the organization.  Document investigation, recommendations and resolution for the complaint.

Consult and coach managers on performance management best practices, including progressive performance management, performance improvement plans, exit strategies, and involuntary separations. 

Investigate, review, consult, and provide recommendations to managers on employee misconduct issues. Make recommendations regarding appropriate level of corrective action or termination to HRPBs and management based on company policies and laws.

Consult with management, HRBPs, ER COE, Legal, Benefits, Leave Administration and Risk management on escalated leave of absence and job accommodation requests. Provide recommendations, resolution and influence management on recommendations based on company policies and laws.

Ensure appropriate documentation to support decision.
Support and consult with HRBPs and managers with position elimination activities; coordinate approved business cases with aligned HRBP, ER COE, and the HR Operations team to ensure a seamless and thoughtful process for affected employees and non-affected managers and employees.

Provide change management support to management and HRPBs.
Partner with dedicated HRBP on issues that are highly complex or present significant risk to the business or company.

Investigate, review, consult and provide written responses to state and federal agency charges in partnership with HRBPs and Legal.

Utilize Case Management tools to document and effectively manage ER matters and investigations; will become the Subject Matter Expert and Super User of the

Case Management tool, generating reports and tracking trends. Provide input and insight on holistic intervention and engagement efforts and remedies.

Liaise and partner with Legal and ER COE on high level, high risk, or highly complex issues and their resolution. Partner with legal/ER as needed to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
May assist in the creation and refinement of company-wide HR policies; collaborate and consult on non-HR policies.

The Employee Relations Senior Specialist may assist or take lead in the development of training, tools, templates, processes and reference materials, or other projects in support of the ER COE function.

Other Duties as Assigned or Requested:

May participate in project work that supports the ER COE, the HR team, or other functions.
Occasional travel to other C&W locations to participate in investigations and meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in HR or related area, or equivalent experience
• Spanish language skills strongly preferred
• 5+ years of progressive ER or HR Generalist experience
• PHR or SPHR designation preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, Competencies

• Seasoned and proven skills in managing difficult ER situations, conflict management, employment law, influence skills, as well as deep and broad knowledge of Human Resources in general
• Superior diagnostic and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Solid business intelligence
• Ability to influence leaders and colleagues; skilled counselor, consultant and facilitator
• Strong organization skills and project management skills
• Knowledge of HRMS systems such as Workday and PeopleSoft