Senior Employee Relations Consultant

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for timely issue response, investigation and resolution regarding a wide variety of employee matters. This includes counseling employees and management team members on performance and conduct, policy interpretation, discipline/corrective action and internal investigations, and doing so in such a way that business objectives are supported, risk to the organization is mitigated, and working relationships between management and employees remain effective.

Also responsible for investigating and responding to third-party charges, identifying employee morale issues, concerns and trends; and, when appropriate, escalating issues, concerns and trends to employee relations management, HRBP team members and/or other human resources leadership. Suggest modifications to human resources policies and practices to enhance all employees’ opportunities to contribute to business goals and objectives.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Respond to, investigate and resolve a wide variety of employee matters. This includes educating, coaching and counseling employees and management on policy, procedures and practices; making recommendations on discipline/corrective action.
• Conduct internal investigations and craft written responses to third-party charges and inquiries with consultation from the law department.
• Participate in and/or lead ad-hoc projects supporting department and business objectives.
• Other duties as assigned or requested.

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree-

Substitutions

2 years Experience as a human resources generalist or experience with employee/labor relations

PREFERRED EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE

Minimum:

• 3+ years' of experience handling employee relations matters, including:coaching and educating management and employees on policy, procedures and practices, including making recommendations on performance management and discipline; conducting investigations and responding to allegations of workplace harassment, discrimination or retaliation; and researching and responding in writing to third-party charges.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience leading collaborative, peer-based project teams
• Demonstrated experience participating on project teams
• Policy and procedure review, writing and re-writing
• Experiencing supporting multi-site and remote employees

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Extensive knowledge of employment and labor laws, regulations, caselaw and their application in a large, multi-site, multi-state environment
• Ability to absorb and apply new learning, particularly related to company culture, policies, procedures and practices
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Able to influence outcomes with patience, tact, follow-through, professionalism and confidentiality
• Ability to problem-solve "people conflict" issues at all levels of the organization
• Ability to balance the tension between thouroughness/attention-to-detail and efficiency
• Ability to work in a work environment that is fast-paced, customer-focused, results-oriented, collaborative and highly-matrixed. Ability to recover quickly from interruptions to resume focus on priority tasks
• Able to work well as part of a collaborate team, which includes being flexible and able to place the needs of the team or organization above their own personal interest
• Able to navigate and collaborate in web-based environments such as SharePoint and Intranet portals. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

PREFERRED LICENSURE

PHR, SPHR certification

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: 0 - 25%

PHYSICAL, MENTAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Position Type:

Office-Based

Office-Based Positions

An employee in this position works in an office environment.  The position frequently requires the employee to communicate effectively with others both inside and outside the workplace (e.g., in person, via telephone, via email).  The employee must be able to understand, interpret and analyze data, solve problems, concentrate, and research, use available technological resources and systems (e.g., computers and computer programs), multi-task, prioritize, and meet multiple deadlines to complete essential tasks.  The employee generally works in a fast-paced and frequently stressful environment, must attend work on a regular and reliable basis as well as adhere to all workplace policies, and may be called upon to work outside regular business hours.

Teaches/Trains others regularly - Occasionally

Travels regularly from the office to various work sites or from site-to-site - Rarely

Works primarily out-of-the office selling products/services (Sales employees) - Never

Physical Work Site Required - No

Disclaimer: The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this job title. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.

Compliance Requirement: This position adheres to the ethical and legal standards and behavioral expectations as set forth in the code of business conduct and company policies

As a component of job responsibilities, employees may have access to covered information, cardholder data, or other confidential customer information that must be protected at all times. In connection with this, all employees must comply with both the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policies and Procedures as well as all data security guidelines established within the Company’s Handbook of Privacy Policies and Practices and Information Security Policy. Furthermore, it is every employee’s responsibility to comply with the company’s Code of Business Conduct. This includes but is not limited to adherence to applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations as well as company policies and training requirements. 

Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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