Senior Employee Relations Consultant

Highmark Health • Erie, PA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for timely response to, investigation of, and resolution of a wide variety of employee matters. The role counsels employees and management on performance and conduct, policy interpretation, discipline and corrective action, and internal investigations while supporting business objectives, mitigating organizational risk, and maintaining effective working relationships. It also involves investigating and responding to third-party charges, identifying employee morale issues, concerns, and trends, and escalating them when appropriate to employee relations management, HR business partners, or other HR leadership. The consultant may recommend modifications to HR policies and practices to help employees contribute to business goals and objectives.

The position may participate in or lead ad hoc projects supporting department and business objectives, and perform other duties as assigned. It is office-based, with no physical work site required, and may require work outside regular business hours. Travel is 0–25%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or a substitution of two years of experience as a human resources generalist or in employee/labor relations.
• At least 3 years of experience handling employee relations matters, including coaching and educating management and employees on policies, procedures, and practices; making performance-management and discipline recommendations; conducting investigations and responding to allegations of workplace harassment, discrimination, or retaliation; and researching and responding in writing to third-party charges.
• Extensive knowledge of employment and labor laws, regulations, case law, and their application in a large, multi-site, multi-state environment.
• Ability to absorb and apply new learning, particularly regarding company culture, policies, procedures, and practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to influence outcomes with patience, tact, follow-through, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to problem-solve people-conflict issues at all organizational levels.
• Ability to balance thoroughness and attention to detail with efficiency.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, customer-focused, results-oriented, collaborative, and highly matrixed environment.
• Ability to recover quickly from interruptions and refocus on priority tasks.
• Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly, placing team or organizational needs above personal interests when needed.
• Ability to navigate web-based environments such as SharePoint and intranet portals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and analyze data; solve problems; concentrate and research; use technological resources and systems; multitask; prioritize; and meet multiple deadlines.
• Regular and reliable attendance and adherence to workplace policies.
• Compliance with applicable laws, company policies, privacy and information-security requirements, and the company’s Code of Business Conduct.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience leading collaborative, peer-based project teams.
• Demonstrated experience participating on project teams.
• Experience reviewing, writing, and rewriting policies and procedures.
• Experience supporting multi-site and remote employees.
• PHR or SPHR certification.

Responsibilities

• Respond to, investigate, and resolve a wide variety of employee matters.
• Educate, coach, and counsel employees and management on policies, procedures, and practices.
• Make recommendations regarding discipline and corrective action.
• Conduct internal investigations.
• Draft written responses to third-party charges and inquiries in consultation with the law department.
• Identify employee morale issues, concerns, and trends, and escalate them when appropriate to employee relations management, HR business partners, or other HR leadership.
• Suggest modifications to HR policies and practices to enhance employees’ opportunities to contribute to business goals and objectives.
• Participate in and/or lead ad hoc projects supporting department and business objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

What This Job Offers

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