Employee Relations Lead | Investigations & Coaching

VNS Health; New York (NY); On-site; USD 98,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Referral bonus

PTO + holidays

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness programs

Job summary

VNS Health in New York seeks an experienced Employee Relations Partner to own standard ER matters from intake to resolution, conduct thorough investigations, and escalate higher‑risk cases to the appropriate HR leader. You will maintain confidential case records and apply policy consistently.

You will coach managers on performance, attendance and conduct, synthesize findings, and partner with Legal, Compliance and Labor Relations to ensure timely, compliant decisions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience with meaningful depth in employee relations, investigations and manager consultation required
• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations and handling performance, conduct, policy and corrective-action matters required
• Working knowledge of employment law and HR practices; experience in a regulated or healthcare environment preferred
• Strong writing and documentation skills, including the ability to synthesize facts, identify issues and communicate findings clearly required
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple cases and priorities with appropriate urgency, confidentiality and follow-through required

Responsibilities

• Owns and manages standard employee relations matters from intake through resolution, ensuring timely, consistent and well-documented outcomes.
• Conducts fair, thorough and objective workplace investigations, including planning, interviews, evidence review, findings documentation and recommended next steps.
• For higher-risk matters, completes appropriate initial fact-finding, interviews and investigation preparation and engage the relevant HRBP, Vice President or Senior HRBP at the appropriate point.
• Coaches managers on performance management, attendance, conduct, corrective action, policy application, documentation and effective employee conversations.
• Interprets HR policies and practices consistently while considering the facts, business context, employee experience and organizational risk.
• Partners with HRBPs, Legal, Compliance, Labor Relations and other stakeholders on sensitive, complex or potentially high-risk matters.
• Partners with Health Services on the workplace accommodation process, including reviewing accommodation requests, supporting the interactive process, assessing appropriate next steps, and helping ensure timely, consistent and well-documented decisions. Engage the appropriate HRBP when an accommodation request involves broader employee relations, performance, operational, organizational or other business considerations.
• Maintains accurate, timely and confidential case records and support consistent case‑management practices and governance.
• Identifies recurring themes, root causes and hotspots across ER activity and use case data to recommend preventive actions, manager education or policy/process improvements.
• Develops practical tools, guidance and manager education that improve confidence and capability in addressing employee issues early and effectively.
• Supports organizational changes, restructures and other workforce actions where employee relations expertise is required.
• Contributes to the evolution of ER processes, service standards and escalation protocols so that work is handled at the appropriate level and HRBP capacity is preserved for more strategic business partnership.
• Uses digital tools and emerging AI-enabled capabilities responsibly to improve case management, knowledge access, consistency and efficiency while maintaining appropriate human judgment and governance.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Employee relations

Investigations

Manager coaching

Documentation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in HR

Job description

VNS Health in New York seeks an experienced Employee Relations Partner to own standard ER matters from intake to resolution, conduct thorough investigations, and escalate higher‑risk cases to the appropriate HR leader. You will maintain confidential case records and apply policy consistently.

You will coach managers on performance, attendance and conduct, synthesize findings, and partner with Legal, Compliance and Labor Relations to ensure timely, compliant decisions.