Employee Relations Specialist

Employee Relations Specialist

Position Overview: The Employee Relations Specialist partners with employees, managers, and Human Resources Business Partners to address and resolve employee relations matters, ensuring equitable and consistent treatment for all employees in alignment with the company's policies, procedures, and state and federal laws. This position reports into the Director, Human Resources.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Performance Management
• Address inquiries concerning the company's policies and procedures.
• Educate managers on legal compliance, appropriate workplace conduct, and effective counseling methods.
• Conduct initial meetings with employees and managers to identify concerns or complaints related to workplace behavior, performance issues, policy violations, harassment allegations, and other complaints.
• Assess and integrate information from all parties while applying a deep understanding of corporate policies, employment law, and relevant regulations.
• Provide guidance on efficient methods to resolve employee relations issues and formulates corrective action recommendations following the company's progressive corrective action process.
• Review and approve corrective action documentation based on predetermined criteria.
• Engage in discussions involving corrective actions and, when necessary, participates in termination discussions.
• Escalate HR issues that meet predefined criteria, exercising judgment to assess risk and sensitivity levels.
• Keep business and HR leaders informed of the status of issues and concerns being addressed, along with recommendations or disciplinary actions as applicable.
• Internal Investigations
• Seek legal counsel related to labor relations in alignment with predefined criteria or as necessary for complex issues.
• Prepare and furnishes required correspondence, information, and documentation for case preparation involving legal and third-party reviews.
• Lead internal investigations and, upon request, collaborates with HR Leadership to represent the organization in unemployment or labor hearings.
• Training
• Collaborate in identifying training needs for managers, tailoring topics based on the nature and frequency of issues encountered.
• Actively lead training sessions for managers, emphasizing coaching, corrective action procedures, and company policies and procedures to ensure thorough comprehension and adherence.
• Case Management and Reporting
• Utilize the Case IQ system to track, analyze, and report on employee relations data/metrics, enabling the establishment and implementation of proactive strategies and action plans to enhance organizational effectiveness and address critical areas of opportunity.
• Ensure file integrity by accurately and promptly recording case information within the Case IQ system, maintaining data accuracy and completeness for effective analysis and reporting.
• Engage proactively in project initiatives aimed at refining ER team processes and optimizing efficiency, as well as contribute to other strategic Human Resources initiatives.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree required, preferably in Human Resources or related field
• 2+years experience in Human Resources
• Previous employee relations experience preferred
• Firm understanding of employment laws
• Excellent professional written and verbal communications skills
• Critical thinker, active listener and effective time manager
• Demonstrated ability to exercise judgment and discretion in handling confidential information and situations
• Strong PC and analytical skills

Competencies:

• Deliver World Class Service
• Hospitality
• Ownership
• Do The Right Thing
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness
• Drive Results
• Ensures Accountability
• See The Big Picture
• Decision Quality
• Manages Complexity
• Value People
• Collaborates For

Work Environment: Office Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Working times may include irregular hours and on-call status including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Team members must adhere to appearance guidelines as defined by Encore based in an office environment and when traveling, on an individual venue or a representation of venues in that city or area.