Employee Relations Consultant

This position is part of a job family (ER Consultant, Sr ER Consultant). The successful candidate will be offered the applicable position based on experience. The ER Consultant is responsible for managing confidential organizational investigations and advising and coaching leaders on engaging in the corrective action process for performance and behavior-related issues for all levels of employees (including leadership). Under limited supervision this role draws insights from programmatic trends and elevates strategic recommendations for leadership/employee focus to prevent future issues and enhance organization adherence to policies and procedures. Additionally, the Senior Consultant will provide expert advice to leaders on company and employee risks to influence appropriate leadership action and sanctions where appropriate.
Essential Functions

• Provides expert advice and coaches leaders on various employee conduct, company risk and policy interpretation
• Exercises independent decision-making authority when advising on utilization of the corrective action process to assure mitigation of risk, behavior correction and support of policy/procedure compliance
• Manages progressive discipline process with leaders, providing solutions to address issues, while evaluating trends and concerns that may need to be escalated or reinforced departmentally or NiSource wide
• Supports or conducts Ethics investigations and keeps Ethics team appraised of progress and dispositions
• Develops and continuously improves employee relations standard operating procedures
• Maintains expertise in employment related laws, rules, regulations, and policies; articulates, reinforces and interprets for leaders and employees
• Partners with the legal organization and the Human Resources Business Partners to elevate trends and support reinforcement
• Supports and advises ER consultants when needed
• Participates in Training, onboarding and coaching new ER consultants
• As trends and reinforcement areas emerge, training, coaching, and guidance for leaders and employees to proactively address trending employee relations issues develops.
• Manages and prioritizes employee relations issues, designs triage plans while assembling resources to execute strategic resolutions
• Exhibits policy ownership: creation, editing, analysis and recommending modifications to support a solid policy base to mitigate employee relations risks
• Analyzes data and proactively identifies trends and other continuous improvement opportunities
• Leads and manages projects that support improved and efficient employee relations

Required Qualifications for Position

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of experience conducting workplace investigations
• Expert knowledge of employment laws and demonstrated experience dealing with legal issues involving EEOC, DOL, NLRB and other related stakeholders
• Significant depth of knowledge and experience in HR functional areas such as: Compensation, Benefits, Worker Compensation, Labor Relations, DEI, Talent Acquisition
• Proven expertise in dealing effectively with others, including demonstrating the following competencies: personal confidence and strong initiative, effective listening, ability to influence others, and the desire to go above and beyond what is required
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office desktop tools and electronic communications, such as E-mail and calendars required
• Demonstrated ability to manage in a fast paced, high stress corporate business environment
• Must be able to effectively manage and execute tasks with multiple conflicting priorities
• Results oriented with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively manage varied resources to complete the job
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Ability to effectively and professionally communicate – both verbally and in writing
• Ability to quickly and effectively establish rapport and trust with all levels of leadership
• Excellent judgment, critical thinking skills, and analytical ability
• Ability to balance working both autonomously day-to-day, and collaboratively within a team environment and with other departments overall
• Ability to think creatively and proactively in identifying potential issues and resolving known issues
• Ability to navigate complex cases and high case volume with rigorous prioritization and follow-up
• Desire to continuously learn and stay up to date on employee related trends, issues and concerns
• Ability to discern issues that need to be escalated

Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position

• Workday experience preferred

This position is part of a job family (ER Consultant, Sr ER Consultant). The successful candidate will be offered the applicable position based on experience.

Employee Relations Consultant Pay Range: 79,800-119,600

Sr. Employee Relations Consultant Pay Range: 93,800-140,700

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.

As a public utility, NiSource is required to provide continuous service to customers at all times. To ensure we fulfill that obligation, employees may be required to work outside their normal work hours and perform tasks outside of their normal responsibilities in support of emergency operations.

Work Authorization

Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

Workplace Connection
Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.

Respect the unique lived experiences within your Team/Customers and external work partners by valuing different world views, challenges, and cultures that represents all walks of life and all backgrounds.​

Treat others with respect and consideration. Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity 
NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.

By applying, you may be considered for other job opportunities. 

ADA Accommodations

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact OneHR at [email protected] or 1-888-640-3320

E-Verify

NiSource participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program. As part of this process, we provide the following notices to all job applicants: These documents inform you of your rights and responsibilities under U.S. law. You can view or download them using the links below:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish
• Right to Work Poster (English and Spanish) If you have the right to work, don't let anyone take it away

Salary Range*:

*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.

Posting Start Date:

Posting End Date (if applicable):