Specialist 2 - Labor/Employee Relations

Pay Rate: $30 - $32/Hour

The Senior Specialist, Employee and Labor Relations is responsible for managing Employee Relations and Labor Relations cases for designated workforce group(s) and may assist ER/LR Managers in specific Employee Relations and Labor Relations activities. Management of Employee Relations and Labor Relations includes but is not limited to assistance with complex employment policy interpretation, workforce grievances, advice of management on discipline, coaching and training managers and employees and driving adherence to standards. They are responsible for using standard tools, processes and guidelines to research/investigate concerns, to identify policy violations and evaluate findings to ensure appropriate actions are consistently administered. They will also support the collective bargaining administration and negotiations in the unionized sites and will manage non-complex grievance and discipline cases in unionized environments. They operate as a steward for the company, escalating matters of concern as necessary to ensure that the interest of the company is protected.

The Senior Specialist, Employee Relations manages assigned cases to ensure appropriate resolution of service requests within defined time periods, levels of accuracy and quality standards and customer satisfaction levels. They treat the workforce with dignity and respect, maintaining high levels of confidentiality, trust and integrity in the handling of sensitive matters. They adhere to established standards and guideline.

Other responsibilities include:

• Respond to Employee Relations and Labor Relations requests from customers and execute on the key tasks and activities in accordance with defined procedures and guidelines
• Develop and manage investigation plans
• Identify relevant policies, agreements and practices to determining whether violation of policies or practices occurred
• Assist with the development of performance improvement plans and corrective action steps; review to determine if suitable, reasonable, measurable and actionable
• Deliver ER/LR training
• Support acquisitions and divestitures initiatives
• Manage and support job eliminations
• Handle requests from client legal team for gathering information for responding to legal claims, attorney letters, agency charges, lawsuits etc. related to ER cases
• Communicate and interact effectively with customers and team members; develop credibility and trust relationships with customers, supervisors, and team members
• Investigate issue areas and determine methods of mitigation in order to resolve problems within acceptable time frames, routing or escalating inquiries as appropriate in order to achieve effective and timely resolution
• Comply with documentation and retention guidelines
• Support ER/LR projects, such as reduction in force (RIF) or reorganizations
• Identify areas for improvement on daily operational processes and implement these initiatives by highlighting and discussing key changes/improvement programs with the Employee Relations leader
• Prepare written reports and communications applicable to assigned work.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 6 years’ experience in HR experience with a concentration of 2 years’ experience in Employee or Labor Relations, experience researching, investigating, and addressing employee misconduct and below job performance standards; providing guidance to management
• Knowledge of U.S., Puerto Rico or Canadian employment law
• Demonstrates customer orientation and excellent customer service skills
• Strong organization skills, attention to detail and follow through to resolve any outstanding issues
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; manages internal communications and external/client communications with detailed support and assistance
• Demonstrated understanding how work and local activities integrate with other HR functional work and in alignment with HR standards
• Discretion, professionalism, confidentiality and judgment
• Excellent telephone manner with clear, concise and professional communication skills
• Ability to accurately collect information in order to understand and assess the clients’ needs and situation
• Will be trusted to secure and maintain confidential information