Senior Employee Relations Consultant

Highmark Health • Erie, PA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Employee Relations Consultant responds to, investigates, and resolves a wide range of employee matters. The role advises and counsels employees and managers on performance and conduct, policy interpretation, and corrective action, while supporting business objectives, mitigating organizational risk, and maintaining effective working relationships. The consultant also investigates and responds to third-party charges, identifies employee morale concerns and trends, and escalates issues when appropriate to employee relations management, HR business partners, or other HR leaders. The role may recommend changes to HR policies and practices to help employees contribute to business goals.

The position includes internal investigations, written responses to third-party charges and inquiries in consultation with the law department, and participation in or leadership of ad hoc projects. It is office-based, with no physical work-site requirement and a travel requirement of 0–25%. Work takes place in a fast-paced, frequently stressful environment and may require work outside regular business hours.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or 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 employees and managers on policies, procedures, and practices; recommending performance management and discipline; conducting investigations into workplace harassment, discrimination, or retaliation allegations; and researching and responding in writing to third-party charges.
• Extensive knowledge of employment and labor laws, regulations, and case law, and their application in a large, multi-site, multi-state environment.
• Ability to absorb and apply new learning related to company culture, policies, procedures, and practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence outcomes using patience, tact, follow-through, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to 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, and to regain focus after interruptions.
• Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly, placing team or organizational needs above personal interests.
• 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 communicate effectively, analyze data, solve problems, concentrate and research, use technological resources and systems, multitask, prioritize, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Ability to attend work regularly and reliably, adhere to workplace policies, and potentially work outside regular business hours.
• Compliance with applicable laws, company policies, training requirements, the Code of Business Conduct, HIPAA privacy requirements, and information security policies.

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 managers on policies, procedures, and practices.
• Make recommendations regarding discipline and corrective action, including performance management.
• Conduct internal investigations, including investigations of workplace harassment, discrimination, or retaliation allegations.
• Research and prepare written responses to third-party charges and inquiries in consultation with the law department.
• Identify employee morale issues, concerns, and trends, and escalate them to appropriate HR leaders when warranted.
• Suggest modifications to HR policies and practices to support employees’ contributions to business 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