Employee Relations & Leave Specialist

ACTS Brand•Des Plaines, IL

2d•$75,000 - $85,000

About The Position

Come join a Global Leader in Aviation Security! ACTS-Aviation Security, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for an Employee Relations and HR Compliance Specialist based in Des Plaines, IL. Established in 2001, ACTS-Aviation Security has grown to become one of the leading providers of security solutions to the US aviation market. ACTS-Aviation Security, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the international security company ICTS Europe and specializes in the provision of security solutions and services and is primarily focused on catering, aircraft, and cargo screening. With its corporate office in Chicago and operational centers at more than 30 airports across the United States, ACTS provides nationwide coverage. As an ICTS Europe subsidiary, ACTS offers unmatched experience, expertise, quality, and innovation. Position Summary The Employee Relations and Leave Specialist aids the Senior Human Resources Manager in providing best-in-class employee relations support to the Company’s operational teams while leading activities related to leave of absence administration. A successful candidate will have robust experience navigating employee relations in the context of a multi-state unionized frontline workforce and be able to quickly absorb and understand how to apply labor agreements as they relate to HR policy enforcement, employee investigations, and the application of progressive discipline. Additionally, knowledge of and familiarity with the administration of federal, state, local, and company leave programs while staying current on a changing regulatory landscape are key,

Requirements

Associate’s degree in human resources or related field
1-3 years supporting leave administration/or and employee relations for a unionized workforce in a multi-state employee-focused service industry
Serve as an example of trust and integrity while being a consummate team player
Fluent in engaging at all levels within a diverse corporate and operational environment with strong organizational and situational awareness
Effective in building and maintaining strong professional relations at a distance; the majority of work will be conducted via phone, email, and MS Teams rather than on-site with operational leaders
Comfort managing multiple simultaneous workflows and projects efficiently
Passionate about taking care of internal clients and providing timely, accurate resolutions for issues
Ability to prioritize, analyze, problem-solve, innovate, take action, and escalate as appropriate
Best-in-class organizational, administrative, and data management skills
Excellent written and spoken communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 products including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Final candidates are subject to a 10-year background check (to include criminal history as well as employment, residence, & education verification) and a drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field
3-5+ years as an HR specialist, generalist, or partner managing leave administration and/or employee relations for a unionized workforce in a multi-state transportation, distribution, or manufacturing company
PHR or SHRM-CP professional certification

Responsibilities

Support local management in understanding the Company’s code of conduct, work rules, and company policies and support the enforcement of management rights and responsibilities codified in multiple collective bargaining agreements (CBAs)
Conduct employee investigations and support management in the preparation of disciplinary notices in accordance with company policies and relevant CBAs
Escalate to the Senior Human Resources Manager those employee relations issues which may not be able to be effectively resolved by local management
Ensure relevant stakeholders have the necessary information and documentation to effectively manage labor-related grievances, mediations, and arbitrations
Manage unemployment insurance claim hearings and appeals in partnership with the Company’s vendor and relevant local management
Revive the Company’s employee recognition programs and develop effective employee engagement strategies to drive retention and employee development
Develop efficient internal processes related to the management leave of absence requests and ensure adjudication for all relevant leave types including but not limited to the Federal Family & Medical Leave (FMLA), state & local paid and unpaid leaves (both internally managed and coordinated by a government authority or designee), and leaves provided by CBAs
Administer all stages of leave requests as appropriate to include employee communications, required notice distribution, application adjudication and/or tracking, management advisement of leave statuses, and documentation retention
Stay current on the changing legal and regulatory landscape of federal, state, and local leave requirements and ensure internal policies and processes are updated to ensure compliance
Under the guidance of the VP Human Resources and General Counsel, track changes to general employment law at the federal, state, and local levels, living wage ordinances (where applicable), and employment-related standards mandated by the Company’s service agreements and develop effective processes to review, and as necessary, update company policies and practices to maintain compliance
Working with external partners as relevant, manage the collection, preparation, and submission of federal, state, and local statutory filings
Working with management, support the Senior Human Resources Manager with the tracking and internal reporting of health and safety incidents and the preparation of regulatory OSHA filings
Other duties as may be assigned by the VP Human Resources or Senior Manager of Human Resources