The Employee Relations Senior Manager leads the Employee Relations function for an operating group or region of an operating group, including following and promoting employee relations best practices. Recommends procedures and courses of action, provides consulting to ER Specialist(s). ER Managers and operations management on employee relations issues. Interfaces with legal on complaints and serves as link for triaging of issues with employee relations team. This role interfaces with the Shared Service Center on issues related to leave of absence and unemployment. For select operating groups, also oversees, leave of absence, and works with management on programs to increase retention, engagement and morale.

• Serves as main point of contact for employees and supervisors to answer questions related to employee relations issues or concerns.
• Formulates and recommends employee relations procedures in all areas of employee relations.
• Provides counsel to field operations issues related to employee discipline, reviews and makes recommendations on CAPs, PIPs, termination decisions and provides follow-up as necessary.
• Determines need to involve legal team, following prescribed guidelines or based on independent judgment and/or counsel with manager; Partners with legal on researching and responding to agency claims and legal actions.
• Works with internal customers to implement positive and efficient processes that are compliant and demonstrate integrity in approaches to employee relations investigations.
• Provides oversight and subject matter expertise to ensure standardization of service delivery and tracking of employee relations activities across a geographically diverse workforce.
• Provides direction to ER Specialist(s), ER Sr. Specialists, ER Manager(s) and serves as expert in employee relation practices for the operating group or region of an operating group.
• Responds to and evaluates employee relations inquiries with a high level of customer focus and sensitivity, following best practice guidelines. Corresponds with appropriate parties as needed during the course of evaluation and research. Determines or recommends course of action and writes timely outcome reports for submission to appropriate parties. Complaints may be related to working conditions, disciplinary actions, and/or other employee and applicant concerns
• Utilizes case management system data to identify trends and patterns and reports out findings. Updates case reports with details of employee relations issues and the results of investigations.
• Prepares narrative and statistical reports and makes recommendations for preventing or reducing employee relations issues.
• Serves as an HR point of contact with Leave of Absence department to facilitate LOA decisions and actions.
• Coordinates with the shared service center on issues related to unemployment.
• May serve as main point of contact for employees and supervisors to answer questions and/or provide direction to the appropriate area of Shared Service Center.
• Performs other related duties and activities as required.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Seven+ years of related experience required.
• At least one year in a management/supervisory preferred
• Ability to mentor and motivate direct reports.
• Prior experience in navigating complex employee relations concerns required
• Union experience preferred
• Knowledge of internal policies and external regulations that impact on employee relations resolution process.
• Customer service focused.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, problem solving, analytic, and written communication skills.
• Detailed oriented.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Travel as needed.