The Senior Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for fostering a positive work environment by managing employee relations issues, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and supporting organizational policies. This role serves as a trusted advisor to employees and managers, handling conflict resolution, investigations, and promoting engagement initiatives. This position must integrate company values into daily practice.
Essential Functions
- Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations concerns.
- Investigate complaints related to workplace issues, harassment, discrimination, and policy violations.
- Provide guidance to managers on handling performance and behavioral issues.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, EEOC).
- Assist in developing and updating HR policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate documentation of investigations and disciplinary actions.
- Support managers in implementing performance improvement plans.
- Advise on corrective actions and terminations in alignment with company policy.
- Promote initiatives that enhance employee satisfaction and retention.
- Conduct exit interviews and analyze trends to recommend improvements.
- Deliver training sessions on workplace conduct, diversity, and conflict resolution.
- Partner with HR team to develop programs that reinforce company culture.
- Periodic travel to hospital locations required.
- Complies with appropriate and approved safety standards.
- Performs other duties as assigned to support overall effectiveness of the organization.
Minimum Job Requirements
Minimum Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree (preferably in Human Resources or related field) and 5 years' direct experience OR equivalent experience in HR Generalist and/or Employee Relations Specialist role required.
- Must have HRIS use experience, Workday preferred.
Required Licenses, Certifications, and/or Documentation
- Human Resources certification strongly preferred (SPHR or HRCI).
- Must maintain acceptable driving record, current driver’s license, and insurability.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong knowledge of employment laws such as ADA, Title VII, ADEA, FMLA, USERRA, FLSA, and related state and federal labor laws and regulations.
- Demonstrates foundational knowledge of HR policies and best practices.
- Exceptional communication, mediation, and problem solving skills.
- Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
- Ability to multi-task and be proactive in a fast-paced environment with frequently changing priorities, deadlines, and workloads.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel.
- Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to travel to different states as needed.
Physical Requirements over the Course of a Shift
- A significant amount of sitting for prolonged periods of time.
- Exposure to computer screens and requires extensive use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and phone system.
- Both gross and precise motor functions.
- Sufficient manual dexterity to operate equipment and computer keyboard.
- Close vision and the ability to adjust focus.