Employee and Labor Relations Specialist

Brown-University-Health-1; Town of Providence (NY); On-site; USD 64,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University Health is seeking an Employee and Labor Relations Specialist to serve as the initial contact for intake and assessment of employee concerns, investigations, grievances, and performance improvement.

The role partners with managers and HRBP to guide policy interpretation, conduct investigations, and advise on corrective actions, while maintaining documentation and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Labor Relations, Business, or related field or equivalent experience.
• PHR or SPHR certification preferred.
• At least three years of experience working with employees and all levels of management.

Responsibilities

• Handle employee and labor relations inquiries and refer complex matters to HRBP.
• Conduct interviews and gather information for investigations and disciplinary actions.
• Maintain documentation and records related to actions and investigations.
• Support reductions in force and union process during reorganizations.
• Consult with managers to improve staff performance and build self-sufficiency.
• Assist with contract negotiations and prepare related documents.
• Review talent data in Power BI and share themes with HRBP.
• Coordinate with legal counsel on potential risk factors.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Multitasking

Negotiation

Conflict management

Influence across management

Cultural competence

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/related field

PHR/SPHR certification

Equivalent work experience

Tools

Power BI

Job description

SUMMARY

The Employee and Labor Relations Specialist serves as the initial contact and liaison for intake and assessment of employee concerns, investigations, grievances, and performance improvement.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages employee and labor relations inquiries related to policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements; refers complex matters to appropriate HR Business Partner.
• Conducts interviews and gathers information for employee relations matters such as harassment allegations, work complaints, investigations, counseling, grievances, compliance investigations, social media investigations, terminations, or other concerns; informs appropriate HR staff when additional investigation is required and recommends solutions to HRBP’s, including possible corrective action and/or termination based on legal risk factors to the organization.
• Ensures relevant documentation is completed and maintained.
• Assists with reductions in force and union bumping process during reorganizations.
• Consult and provide guidance to managers to effectively manage and improve the performance of their staff and teams and build better self-sufficiency including:
• Reviewing performance improvement documentation
• Witnessing counseling meetings as needed
• Providing termination and unemployment claim support as needed
• Manage grievance procedures in partnership with HRBP
• Resource for managers to escalation HR issues; partner with HRSC to effectively resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Liaison between Centers of Excellence and supported business units.
• Assists with recordkeeping related to corrective actions, grievances, terminations, transfers with tracking systems.
• Maintains knowledge and understanding of laws and regulations related to EEO, affirmative action, collective bargaining, unions, labor relations, and human resources.
• Assists with preparation of and provides input in the development of policies, procedures, documents, reports, and labor agreements.
• Assists with the preparation of documents and records required for contract negotiations, meetings, and negotiations with employee and labor organizations.
• Review talent data in Power BI including exit interview data and share themes with HRBP.
• Facilitate the review of reasonable accommodations and interactive process, escalation LOA issues, ensuring appropriate resources are engaged.
• Engage and consult with internal legal counsel as appropriate based on potential legal risk factors to the organization.
• Facilitate training sessions related to assigned programs as needed.
• Identify patterns (behavioral, policy abuse, metrics) and share insights with HRBPs that will help drive organizational change.
• Maintain effective communication and positive relationships with managers to promote positive customer satisfaction.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Labor Relations, Business, or related field preferred; or equivalent work experience.
• PHR/SPHR certification preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience in a role that involves regular engagement with employees and all levels of management.
• Strong background in communication, resolving workplace issues, problem-solving, analytical thinking, and multitasking in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate collaborative approach, business acumen, problem solving, negotiation, conflict management/resolution skills.
• Ability to influence multiple layers of management.
• Experience should demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, cultural competence and agility.
• Ability to work in an environment that includes complex issues that contain emotional components and time-sensitive situations while balancing multiple tasks with varying levels of priority.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and relationship building skills.
• Thorough understanding of laws, regulations, and guidelines related to HR and contract.

Supervision:

None

Pay Range: $64,480.00-$106,412.80

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Location: Corporate Headquarters - 15 LaSalle Square Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Work Type: 8:00am-5:00pm

Work Shift: Day

Daily Hours: 8 hours

Driving Required: No