Consultant, HR Associate Relations

Nationwide Mutual Insurance•Columbus, OH

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where your work directly impacts the satisfaction and engagement of associates? We work collaboratively, across organizational lines, with all levels of leaders and employees. If you are a natural problem-solver, have excellent customer service skills and can own and resolve issues, we want to know more about you! As a Consultant, working in a hybrid environment you'll provide information and guidance to Nationwide associates, managers, Human Resources (HR) and other internal entities about complex policy, practice and employment law issues to maintain compliance with state and federal local laws and regulations, and internal policies and practices. We'll count on you to conduct extensive investigations involving associates and management across the enterprise.

Requirements

Undergraduate studies in human resources, law, business administration or related field strongly preferred.
Graduate-level studies preferred.
Progress toward related certifications (PHR, SPHR) preferred.
Typically, eight or more years related experience in human resources, legal or business operations.
This includes at least six years of employee relations or employment law experience.
Project management experience preferred.
Knowledge of employee relations and human resources management practices and procedures, state/federal employment laws and regulations.
Knowledge of related internal practices and procedures in human resources; general insurance, and customer service preferred.
Ability to conceptualize an associate relations problem, define relevant issues, conduct a full and fair investigation, develop recommendations and solutions.
Process improvement and project management skills.
Have well developed verbal and written communication skills for interaction with all levels of associates including top management, other departments, and external contacts such as regulatory agencies.
Possess strong negotiating and decision making skills.
Ability to lead team projects and collaborate with other departments.
Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.
Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and HR Business Partner.
Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Nice To Haves

Progress toward related certifications (PHR, SPHR) preferred.
Project management experience preferred.
General insurance, and customer service preferred.

Responsibilities

Reviews and investigates associate relations incidents, issues and concerns involving managers or associates.
Works with parties involved to optimally, fairly, and equitably resolve the issues or concerns.
Partners with multiple internal resources to acquire relevant data and legal opinions.
Conducts analysis of data, information and options to develop an investigative summary to minimize risk and exposure to the organization.
May present summary to Human Resources, Office of Ethics and General Counsel.
Conducts follow-up interviews with associates and management to ensure risk exposure is minimized.
Provides expert consultative services and advises associates, management, HR and external parties on a full range of associate relations issues, including policy interpretation on hiring, training, attendance, performance, behavior, leave of absence, accommodations, discrimination and/or harassment issues.
Provides associate relations training and education to HR, management and business partners.
Builds and delivers communications on policy and procedure changes.
Keeps up-to-date on legislation and updates employment related policies and procedures to ensure company compliance.
Confers with Human Resources, management and associates regarding new and/or revised legislation.
Provides consultative support and recommendations for reduction in force activity and employment releases.
Develops related documentation for impacted associates, management and HR.
Identifies urgent, critical and complex situations and refers to the investigative team members for immediate review and investigation.
Leads and conducts compliance audits of HR policies and practices.
Provides detailed analysis of issues, makes recommendations and provides solutions to limit company exposures and risk.
Assesses the company's internal and external environment to disseminate changes in policies, procedures, employment laws and regulatory requirements.
Interacts with associates at all levels involving critical situations.
Handles all matters with discretion and maintains confidentiality of all information.
Actively partners with other corporate offices such as Compensation, Benefits, Office of General Counsel, Ethics, Security, Wellbeing and Safety and HR.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

medical/dental/vision
life insurance
short and long term disability coverage
paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date
nine paid holidays
8 hours of Lifetime paid time off
8 hours of Unity Day paid time off
401(k) with company match
company-paid pension plan
business casual attire