Employee Relations Consultant

Cisco Systems, Inc; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. seeks an experienced Employee Relations Consultant to support ER investigations across the APJC region, collaborating with People Partners and leaders. The role emphasizes policy guidance, fair resolution, and risk management in a fast-paced environment.

You will partner with cross-functional teams, escalate complex issues with empathy, and help drive Cisco’s ER strategy while upholding our guiding principles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or related field.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in Human Resources.
• 3+ years’ experience handling complex Employee Relations investigations.

Responsibilities

• Join a high performing ER team and collaborate with APJC and global colleagues.
• Independently conduct complex workplace investigations and maintain case files.
• Provide guidance on policy interpretation, disciplinary actions and workforce reductions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and drive operational rigor within ER.

Skills

Employee Relations

Investigations

Policy interpretation

Stakeholder management

Communication

Risk mitigation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / related field

Job description

*Location preferred: Malaysia - Hybrid

Employee Relations Consultant - Malaysia

Meet the Team

We are seeking an experienced Human Resources consultant with strong Employee Relations (ER) experience to support as ER Consultant in Southeast Asia, Singapore, Australia and across the APJC region. The role will report to the Employee Relations Leader and is part of Cisco’s People & Communities (P&C) organization.

The Global ER team is responsible for the fair and respectful treatment of employees through the investigation of workplace complaints and advising on HR policies and practices and complex employment matters.

The role will collaborate with business leaders, People Partners and cross-functional stakeholders to address employee concerns, conduct investigations and be a consultative partner on complex employee relations matters.

The position requires deep subject matter expertise, in depth ER experience, strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Your Impact

• Join a high performing ER team, working in close alignment and collaboration with ER and P&C colleagues and leaders in APJC and globally.
• Independently conduct complex workplace investigations and maintain comprehensive case files.Engage with key stakeholders, including providing timely communication to relevant parties, to build partnerships within the P&C ecosystem.
• Provide collaborative guidance to People Partners and management on topics ranging from policy interpretation, workplace investigations, disciplinary action recommendations, performance management and workforce reductions.
• Provide guidance and / or solutions aligned to consistent application of policies and procedures as well as on best practices and ways to mitigate risks while using judgement to balance business needs with fair resolution of issues.
• Review and advise on disciplinary actions including termination documentation – tailoring and delivering recommendations in an effective way to help influence the right outcomes with stakeholders while mitigating risk to Cisco.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement culture within the Employee Relations team, embracing change and driving operational rigor and accountability.
• Communicate with all levels of the enterprise, including senior leadership.
• Remain respectful and empathetic in the face of difficult and sensitive situations.
• Partner closely and collaboratively with People Partners, People Legal, People Care Crisis, Leader Consulting, Offboarding and other teams to deliver HR strategies.
• Uphold and integrate Cisco’s Guiding Principles and foster a culture of integrity, respect and accountability in all actions, decisions and interactions.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or related field

6+ years of progressive experience in Human Resources

3+ years’ experience handling complex Employee Relations investigations

Solid knowledge of Southeast Asia, Singapore, and Australia Employee Relations, labor laws and compliance requirements

Preferred Qualifications

Prior ER experience supporting other APJC countries (e.g., Australia, South Korea) preferred.

Ability to exercise good judgment during challenging, sensitive, complex and ambiguous situations

Ability to execute with quality, a sense of urgency and accountability

Comfortable challenging the status quo and taking smart risks

Demonstrated experience collaborating and supporting business objectives. Experience in influencing and coaching senior level and executive business leaders

Strong communication skills, including presentations and training delivery.

Ability to multi-task and work proactively and independently, managing competing priorities in fast-paced environment.

Highly motivated, confident, proactive and intellectually curious

Willing to embrace emerging AI tools to improve efficiency while balancing the critical human element of employee advocacy and workplace culture.

Technically proficient in Microsoft tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and can easily adapt to other online tools used by the team. Experience with HR Acuity a plus.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.