(Hybrid) Employee Relations Consultant - Talent and Culture

West Virginia University • West Virginia, WV

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Talent and Culture at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Employee Relations Consultant. The ER Consultant will foster and sustain positive relationships between WVU, staff, faculty and students. This role is overall responsible for mitigating risk to the University by properly addressing employee relations issues/concerns, including but not limited to employee grievances, investigating/resolving employee workplace concerns and offering guidance and support to leaders and staff on ER related matters. This role works closely with the Senior ER Consultant, Assistant Director, Employee Solutions, SHRP’s and Medical Management Case Managers, University Police Department (UPD), Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP), as well as the General Counsel team to support leaders and employees in ER matters. The ER Consultant will identify and mitigate risk for the University by properly advising on employee relations issues/concerns and ensuring adherence to company policies, practices and procures. As well as investigating WVU’s Values and Code of Conduct matters and providing outcome recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in the following: Employee relations or related work experience.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in stressful, emotionally charged situations.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills to gage a situation and respond accordingly with minimal supervision.
• Strong consultative and customer service focus.
• Ability to handle highly confidential matters and be respectful through the course of an investigation or mediation.
• Understanding of Employee Relations and ability to articulate sound recommendations to others.

Nice To Haves

• Human resources or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist leaders by recommending corrective action that is consistent and adheres to the Classified Discipline Policy and drafts Discipline letters that are consistent with University practice.
• Provides recommendations on termination and non-renewals, to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, as well as University policies and procedures. Prepares termination and non-renewal documents, as well as prepping leaders for appropriate action by providing a seamless transition for the involuntary exit of the employee.
• Supports leaders on the development of a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) and ensures that action items are appropriate for the staff member’s position and that there is a clear understanding of what the leader’s responsibility is during the duration of the PIP.
• Prepares grievance documents as well as briefing outside legal representation on the facts of the grievant’ s situation and articulates the facts during the grievance process.
• Provides HR policy guidance, interpretation, and training related to HR/ER Matters.
• Delivers training on a variety of topics related to employee relations, legislative updates, changes in employee laws, and WVU policy changes.
• Handle FSAP mandatory referrals with sensitivity and urgency and provides appropriate updates to leadership and ER team. Escalates to Senior ER Consultant as needed.
• Maintains thorough, accurate and confidential documentation of all employee relations cases and uploads appropriate documentation to the case management system.
• Escalates sensitive and/or complex cases to Senior ER Consultant and ER Leadership as appropriate.
• Stay informed of employment law changes/updates and best practices in employee relations.
• Works on highly confidential activities and handles matters with integrity.
• Other duties as assigned by Employee Solutions Leadership.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits.
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6%25 employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks.
• Wellness programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level