The Employee Relations Consultant advises leaders and employees on workplace matters, conducts investigations, and supports fair employment practices to mitigate risk. The role collaborates with HR, Legal, and business partners to analyze trends and recommend policy improvements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Consult leaders on complex employee relations matters, balancing employee experience and business risk.
- Conduct thorough workplace investigations for misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and policy violations.
- Advise leaders on performance management, corrective action, and terminations.
- Provide coaching, conflict resolution, and problem-solving support to improve workplace relationships.
- Evaluate employee relations matters, assess risk, and recommend options to management.
- Partner with Legal and stakeholders on employment-related matters, including agency responses.
- Interpret and apply company policies and employment laws.
- Maintain current knowledge of employment law and emerging practices.
- Identify and analyze employee relations trends, offering insights to HR and leadership.
- Recommend HR policies and procedures to promote clarity and compliance.
- Partner with HR Business Partners to support organizational initiatives and client groups.
- Maintain confidential documentation of employee relations matters.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field, or equivalent education and experience.
- Minimum eight years of progressively responsible HR experience, with significant employee relations responsibility.
- Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations and advising on performance, conduct, corrective action, and termination matters.
- Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
- Strong consultation and influencing skills, including coaching and advising leaders at all levels.
- Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills for assessing complex situations and developing recommendations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for sensitive information.
- Ability to manage multiple complex, time-sensitive matters while maintaining detail and documentation.
- Sound judgment, confidentiality, and effective handling of sensitive information.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR systems or case-management technology.
Preferred Skills:
- Ten or more years of relevant HR and/or Employee Relations experience.
- Employee Relations experience in a service-oriented, highly regulated, or complex organization.
- Experience supporting employees and leaders across multiple states or jurisdictions.
- Professional HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP.