Overview:

Responsible to deliver high quality and effective employee relations solutions to a line of business, and/or geographic territory as assigned. Responsible for resolving problems, addressing and investigating employee and regulatory complaints, coaching managers and employees to achieve resolution of issues which involve developing and maintaining good employee relations, and ensuring the uniform and equitable application of organization policies and procedures while adhering to appropriate regulations. Uses exceptional HR expertise as part of the Employee Relations team to provide bank wide ER day to day services, on a 24/7 basis.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Deliver high quality decisions and counsel consistently. Identify and analyze employee relations matters and recommend appropriate employment action to maintain a productive work environment, achieve optimal performance, and minimize risk to the Bank.
• Administer the Bank's corrective action to include: coaching and counseling managers and employees on performance management including performance improvement plans, and the entire range of the progressive discipline process. Uses judgment based on experience and circumstances to accelerate progressive discipline as appropriate. Has authority to decide when termination of employment is appropriate, and oversees the termination process in accordance with Bank practices. Prepares documentation and inputs to bank systems consistent with bank standards and practices.
• Receive complaints, conduct investigations with general supervision, recommends and resolves problems, and counsels employees. Counsel managers on corrective action, highlighting the legal requirements and ramifications. Participate in the EEOC/Human Rights/Wage and Hour regulatory complaints and may represent the bank at investigative conferences, unemployment hearings and meetings.
• Counsel employees on conduct issues, including disputes with co-workers, supervisors, subordinates or management, financial problems, illness or disability and performance problems.
• Act as a consultant to department head on Affirmative Action and EEO policies and practices. Conduct presentations as needed to employees and management on employee relations topics. Support training programs for various levels within the organization on Bank policy, sexual harassment, legal issues, and performance appraisals.
• Support exit interview process to include analyzing results and follow-up to appropriate individuals.
• Respond to inquiries regarding general personnel policies and procedures. Reports policies issues to corporate employee relations.
• Act as resource for HR regional employees specifically on employee relations issues. Provides presentations on legal related issues and government regulations.
• Keep informed on developments in areas related to wages and salaries, employee benefits, recruitment, and equal opportunity.

Scope of Responsibilities:

The position has significant impact to ensure workplace productivity, support the Bank's ability to maintain a high performing workforce through performance management and mitigate risk to the Bank from regulatory action or civil litigation by ensuring fair employment practices.

The position interacts with all levels of personnel within the bank.

The incumbent acts as bank representative in external venues including unemployment hearings, regulatory meetings etc.

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor's degree in related field (Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications),

OR in lieu of degree,

Four to five years' relevant progressive work experience.

Five to seven years' HR generalist or employee relations experience including employee relations counseling and internal investigations experience.

Working knowledge of technology and software utilized by department.

Familiarity with Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint and email product.

Previous (internal) investigations experience

Education and Experience Preferred:

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact and communicate with all levels of management and employees.

Proven experience in a customer service environment. Effectively able to defuse the irate or emotional caller. Ability to consistently demonstrate courtesy, helpfulness, professionalism, empathy, and politeness.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong consulting, influencing, and presentation skills.

Extensive knowledge of employment law and regulations. Demonstrated knowledge of HR practices and principles.

#LI-RS1

Location
Williamsville, New York, United States of America