Employee Relations Specialist Job Description

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Employee Relations Specialist Job Description

Job descriptions
Human Resources and Recruitment

Job summary 1

The Employee Relations Specialist executes and delivers employee relations (ER) services. Serves as a member of the HR ER specialist’s team responsible for delivering HR ER services to the business. Administers complex processes related to the delivery of HR ER services within market locations – conducting investigations, corrective actions, conflict resolution, leave management, industrial/labor relations (IR), and monitoring compliance programs, for example.

Duties & Responsibilities 1

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Requirements & Skills 1

Bachelor's Degree required, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
1-3 years of relevant experience, required.

Job summary 2

Employee Relations Specialist will serve as a member of our human resource solutions team responsible for delivering employee relations services to the business. You will use employee relations knowledge to coordinate complex processes and deliver human resource services, which include conducting investigations, corrective actions, conflict resolution, leave management, industrial/labor relations, and monitoring compliance programs.

Duties & Responsibilities 2

Serve as an employee relations specialist within our market Human Resources Solution team to provide relevant and effective consulting services.
Assist your assigned locations and businesses with employee relations services as requested or as the need arises on urgency or as workflow dictates.
Conduct investigations concerning employee/management inquiries and employee suggestions and/or complaints.
Confer with employees and provide guidance and/or consultation making sure they are using the tools and resources available.
- Work with legal resources and consultants to ensure employee relations activities adhere to company policy and legal and regulatory requirements.
- Help prepare audits, reporting, and compliance reviews about local regulations and programs.
- Independently handle complex issues with minimal supervision, while escalating only the most complex issues to appropriate staff.

Requirements & Skills 2

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience
Minimum of four years of related work experience
- Experience working in a union environment
- Ability to give a consistent performance under various levels of demand
- Emotional Intelligence

Job summary 3

The Employee Relations Specialist will support the employee and labor relations team by being primarily responsible for managing and responding to workplace concerns through review, documentation, and fact-finding. This role will use data to identify trends in employee relations topics across the university and make recommendations for ways to proactively and preventatively address employees’ concerns. Acting with a high degree of integrity, the Employee Relations Specialist will ensure that all cases assigned to the employee and labor relations team are documented and acted upon in a timely and thorough manner. In addition, the Employee Relations Specialist will partner with managers and leaders across the university, as well as other HR functions, to create programs and initiatives that support positive relations among staff, faculty, and the organization.

Duties & Responsibilities 3

Documenting and managing employee relations or workplace concerns in a case management system and initiating the fact-finding process. Conduct fact-finding in a deliberate, thorough, and timely manner to determine the appropriate resolution or if further investigation is needed on any given case. Promptly communicating fact-finding results and recommended corrective actions to Manager, Employee Relations. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records and documentation in the case of the management system at all times. Responsible for ensuring each employee relations or workplace concern are documented and addressed regardless of the intake method. Escalating employee concerns or grievances as necessary. Engaging with employees regarding reasonable accommodation requests, including interviewing employees, collecting appropriate documentation, and evaluating requests.
Providing strategic support through partnership and coaching to all levels of the organization to ensure the management of employee performance with a focus on employee relations is top of mind for all managers and unit/school leaders. Staying attuned to organizational and operational changes across the university to identify potential risks and develop plans to address them proactively.
Serving as a point of contact and providing support, guidance, and direction to management and other university employees on the management of employee performance with a focus on performance improvement and corrective action matters. Assisting with the development and delivery of appropriate feedback or corrective/disciplinary actions across the university. Providing rigorous data analysis and reporting solutions based on university and unit/school needs, highlighting key trends in employee relations to actively drive proactive solutions to improve employee engagement, reduce risk, and minimize reactive work. Helping develop target initiatives to address specific employee relations issues related to that unit/school.
- Partnering closely with HR Partners and the Performance Management team to identify trends in performance issues and action plans to address them. Helping facilitate educational workshops and training for managers and broader university audiences on topics related to employee relations. Ensuring open and consistent communication with all other functional HR areas to drive alignment and accountability. Partnering with the Office of General Counsel as needed. Preparing written responses to requests for information as needed.
- Conducting routine data analysis and reporting to identify and escalate key trends in employee relations issues to ensure root-cause analyses are taking place and to enable and drive proactive solutions. Designing, creating, and implementing proactive programs, policies, and procedures that improve employee relations and contribute to a positive and productive working environment. Maintaining accurate, confidential records regarding all reported cases and fact-finding documentation.
- Interpreting and applying an understanding of university policies and practices, employment law, and other regulations to provide advice, guidance, or clarification for ER inquiries. Maintaining a pulse on employment legal trends and new legislation. Identifying and recommending appropriate process or technology improvements to ensure effective and efficient fact-finding, resolution, and communication.

Requirements & Skills 3

Job summary 4

The Employee Relations Specialist serves as a subject matter expert to advise employees and leaders on the proper procedure for handling employment matters and issues including employee relations, performance management, and employment law matters. Influences others regarding policies, practices, and procedures. Develops human resources solutions by collecting and analyzing information, presenting, and recommending courses of action.

Duties & Responsibilities 4

Requirements & Skills 4

A Baccalaureate Degree in Management, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Psychology, or related field, with emphasis on personnel administration, employee and management relations, or related discipline from an accredited college or university; and,
- Three years experience in personnel management, employee relations, the management or public administration, with at least one year of progressively responsible experience in personnel management, employee relations programs, administration, and benefits in a large public or private organization; and,
- Comprehensive knowledge of theory and principles and their application to personnel administration in employee relations, including aspects of training, employee development, labor relations, knowledge of research design trends and developments in personnel, employee relations, and general management fields; or,
- A satisfactory equivalent of education, training and experience.

Job summary 5

The Employee Relations Specialist will provide support on Work Environment investigations being led by the Employee Relations management team. The ER Specialist will work in collaboration with investigators serving as a witness and note-taker during investigations, reviewing detailed evidence, writing case summaries, and providing observations and recommendations to improve the process and/or outcomes.

Duties & Responsibilities 5

Work closely with Employee Relations Managers to provide investigative support to ensure appropriate and timely resolution of all cases
Provide clear and accurate notes as a record of interviews. This requires fast and accurate typing, legible handwriting, and accurate spelling.
Write professional and concise Investigation Summary Reports upon investigation completion.
Prepare interview questions in collaboration with ER Managers.
Schedule interviews following ER process and using standard templates.
Offer sound judgment to relevant stakeholders about employee relations cases.
- Be a change ambassador, driving collaboration, communication, process optimization, and consistency.
- Adopt a continuous improvement mindset, supporting the implementation of initiatives identified from ER data analysis.
- Provide clear and accurate notes as a record of interviews. This requires fast and accurate typing, legible handwriting, and accurate spelling.

Requirements & Skills 5

Job summary 6

Employee Relations Specialists serve as valued members of the Employee Relations team, responsible for managing relationships between business leaders and employees at the local and regional levels, to promote fair and consistent treatment, employee engagement, and compliance with employment-related laws. Employee Relations Specialists are approachable, trustworthy, impartial, objective, and knowledgeable professionals who communicate effectively and deliver valuable services and support to the Company’s leaders and employees, in furtherance of the Company’s values and objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities 6

Requirements & Skills 6

Job summary 7

The Employee Relations Specialist administers human resources policies and procedures that pertain to employee relations. They perform a variety of duties to promote employee welfare, such as resolving human relations problems and promoting employee health and well-being, and assisting management with performance concerns, disciplinary action, and conflict management issues. The Employee Relations Specialist may also be involved in developing reports, responding to non-routine operational and program questions within guidelines, and providing administrative support.

Duties & Responsibilities 7

Requirements & Skills 7

Job summary 8

We are seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to support our employee population.

Duties & Responsibilities 8

Conduct and support workplace investigations
Engage in and document the interactive process with applicants and employees requesting accommodations due to disability/medical and religious beliefs.
Advise on Leaves of Absence.
Support HR/ER-related training for people managers and HR
- Partner closely with HRBPs on ER-related concerns including employee discipline, underperformance, and other related matters
- Closely collaborate with employment counsel.
- Work on ER-related projects such as CMS implementation, employee handbook and policy, and procedure updates.

Requirements & Skills 8

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field.
3+ years of relevant HR/ER experience.
Prior HR/ER experience in a technology start-up strongly preferred.

Job summary 9

The Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for addressing employee relations matters ranging from performance management issues and policy violations to investigating and resolving employee complaints related to workplace safety.

Duties & Responsibilities 9

Lead and manage investigations of potential violations of employment laws, including but not limited to Title VII, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, and NLRA, and other Employee Relations matters in the United States
Provide consultation, guidance, and coaching to Managers and HR Advisors, and HR Business Partners by applying relevant policies, past practices, and/or best practices to conclude all ER-related matters
Provide consultation concerning reasonable accommodations, high-risk termination requests, reductions in force, and other related areas.
Partner with Business Partners and advise on ER matters
- Maintain consistent practices to ensure fair and consistent treatment of employees.
- Assist with the development of Employee / Labor Relations and Compliance training programs as needed, including training for HR Advisors and Business Partners.
- Provide training to HR Business Partners as needed to ensure consistent and fair application and interpretation of policies and practices.

Requirements & Skills 9

Job summary 10

We are looking for an Employee Relations Specialist.

Duties & Responsibilities 10

Plan and conduct investigations into alleged violations and make recommendations for remediation.
Provide guidance, coaching, and counseling to HR and leadership to ensure the resolution of employment-related matters.
Manage assigned Employee Relations case management & investigations from intake through interview, transition, escalation, and redirection or closure. Maintains accurate and timely case files, documentation, and follow-up.
Guide the interpretation and administration of company policies, procedures, and programs. Monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of operations and services.
Contribute to internal projects and workstreams as needed. Identify and recommend methods to resolve problems, update, simplify, enhance, and optimize existing processes, procedures, policies, and technologies.
- Lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives to ensure that all services are effectively understood and delivered promptly.
- Responsible for ensuring compliance with external regulations concerning employees’ working conditions and welfare, as well as employees’ compliance with the company’s internal policies.
- Support the HR Operations team via ad hoc requests or general employee support.

Requirements & Skills 10

Frequently asked questions

What are the skills of an employee relations specialist?

An employee relations specialist is a human resources professional who is responsible for managing the relationship between employees and the company. Their primary duty is to ensure that the company's policies and procedures are followed and that the employees are satisfied with their work environment.

The skills of an employee relations specialist may include:

Excellent communication skills, including active listening, verbal and written communication, and conflict resolution

Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate complex situations and provide effective solutions

Knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations

Familiarity with human resources management software and other relevant technology

Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to build relationships and effectively manage teams

Attention to detail to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures

Flexibility and adaptability to changing business needs and priorities.

What are the daily duties of an employee relations specialist?

The daily duties of an employee relations specialist may include:

Investigating and resolving employee complaints and grievances

Providing guidance and support to managers and employees on HR policies and procedures

Conducting training sessions on employee relations, diversity and inclusion, and other HR topics

Developing and implementing HR policies and procedures related to employee relations

Ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws and regulations

Maintaining accurate records of employee relations activities

Collaborating with other HR professionals and department managers to identify and address HR issues

Conducting exit interviews and analyzing employee turnover data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Overall, an employee relations specialist plays a critical role in maintaining positive relationships between employees and the company, ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations, and creating a healthy and productive work environment.

Olivia Powell
Recruiting expert

Last updated Sep 30

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Employee Relations Specialist Job Description

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Frequently asked questions

What are the skills of an employee relations specialist?

What are the daily duties of an employee relations specialist?

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