HR Specialist- MUST HAVE UNION EXPERIENCE

Aston Carter•Wayne, MI

10d•$32 - $32•Hybrid

About The Position

Join our Human Resources team as an HR Specialist – Attendance Leave, where you will serve as the plant's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for attendance management. In this vital, high-impact role, you will be responsible for administering the National Attendance Program (NAP) as outlined in our National Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the UAW. This direct front-line employee-facing role requires a unique blend of exceptional administrative precision and highly developed interpersonal skills. You will be directly responsible for conducting corrective action hearings and issuing attendance-related discipline to hourly employees up to and including discharge termination. The ideal candidate is a resilient communicator who can de-escalate emotional situations, resolve conflicts, and deliver challenging messages with professionalism, consistency, and respect.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with a proven track record of maintaining professional composure, empathy, and authority under pressure.
Strong ability to resolve conflicts, negotiate mutually acceptable outcomes where appropriate, and deliver tough decisions decisively and professionally.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to maintain meticulous, legally defensible documentation.
Prior experience working in a unionized manufacturing or industrial environment, particularly administering collective bargaining agreements, ideally with the UAW.
Familiarity with FMLA, ADA, short-term disability, and state/federal leave regulations.
Experience using HRIS, timekeeping, or scheduling software (e.g., TWOS, Oracle, SAP, Kronos).
3+ years of HR experience.
Manufacturing or industrial HR experience.
Union/UAW experience.
HRIS timekeeping knowledge.

Responsibilities

Administer the National Attendance Program (NAP) to ensure fair, consistent, and compliant administration in accordance with the National Agreement, local contractual agreements, and company policy.
Serve as the on-site Subject Matter Expert (SME) for line management, supervisors, and employees regarding NAP policies, FMLA regulations, Medical Leaves of Absence (MLOA), and bereavement.
Audit and correct Time Worked/Off System (TWOS) coding for attendance, tardiness, and leaves to ensure absolute data integrity.
Lead and document formal disciplinary hearings for chargeable absences, notification failures, and tardiness in partnership with line supervisors and UAW representatives.
Deliver and execute attendance-related disciplinary actions ranging from initial coaching/written warnings up to and including discharge termination for non-compliance with the NAP.
Confidently navigate difficult, highly sensitive, and emotional conversations with employees regarding their attendance status and employment.
Utilize advanced conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques to manage high-pressure situations during disciplinary discussions.
Partner and communicate productively with UAW representatives to address attendance issues, resolve disputes at the earliest step, and ensure adherence to contract procedures.
Build trusted relationships with operations supervisors and line managers, coaching them on how to have effective, constructive attendance conversations that balance empathy with accountability.
Prepare clear, objective, and airtight documentation regarding disciplinary actions to support the company’s position in the event of union grievances or legal challenges.
Analyze plant-wide attendance data, AWOL, late reports, and leave utilization trends to identify patterns and recommend proactive interventions to reduce absenteeism.
Administer the 5-Day Quit process for job abandonment cases, ensuring all legal and contractual notices are accurately issued and tracked.