Employee Relations Specialist/Benefits Manager

Job Title: Employee Relations Specialist/Benefits Manager

Duration: 3+ Months

Location: Basking Ridge, NJ

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The Employee Relations Specialist will act as the central point of contact for employee relation issues and concerns. 

• The Employee Relations Specialist will act a subject matter expert in the area of employee relations. 

• The Candidate will coach and advise people managers on progressive discipline, ensuring a consistent and aligned approach when managing employee relations across the business.

• He/she will participate with the HRBPs and senior management in the development and execution of HR strategies and/or programs that enhance employee job satisfaction, productivity and retention.

• He/she will gather detailed, pertinent information by conducting fact-finding interviews and investigations, interpret the findings, prepare documentation associated with employment claims, and document & track disciplinary actions taken for corrective action, grievances, absence and performance management and organizational changes.

• In addition, the Candidate will work with Client legal and compliance department on complex employee relations issues. 

• He/she will maintain a positive employee relations environment including enabling management capability, oversight of manager's employee relations activities, maintaining the pulse of employee's ER experience, providing care and professional handling of issues/cases.

• The ER Specialist will identify employee relations trends and share findings with both the HRBP's and senior management so that proper diagnosis of issues can be determined. 

• Essential Functions Responsibilities % of Time Job Duty and Description 35 Gather information and prepare documentation associated with employee relations issues. 

• Work with people managers to prepare appropriate progressive discipline documentation. Conduct fact-finding interviews and investigations. Work with legal counsel and compliance as needed.

• Provide expert advice, coaching, and assistance to management to address an array of employee conduct and performance issues and grievances with fluctuating levels of complexity while keeping HRBP's informed of the status, recommendations, and diagnosis of trends that may need attention. 

• In addition, participate in progressive discipline meetings to ensure clarity of message delivered to employee.

• Interpret findings from investigations, create strategies to resolve issues, and keep managers informed as to commitments made and progress of individual cases. 

• Update HRBP on status of ER cases. Contribute to ER best practice education and policy development and provide counsel and guidance to manager and employees regarding HR policies, procedures, and practices Education & Experience Requirements.

QUALIFICATTIONS AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Qualification in Human Resource Management is preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in HR/Employee Relations Experience with Employee Relations in a diverse environment (exempt and nonexempt workforce) 

• Must possess thorough knowledge of Federal and California laws, and skill in applying fundamental HR laws, principles, practices, methods, and techniques for providing advisory services on management-employee relations support that include discipline, appeals, grievances, performance based actions, and unfair labor practice charges.

• Familiarity with HR Shared Services, HRIS systems, processes and policies Strong knowledge of SAP, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook Key Skills and Competencies.

• Ability to work in a fast paced and matrixed environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands with the appropriate sense of urgency.

• A fast learner and flexible attitude Exhibit a strong business acumen by developing an understanding of Client business and seeing how one's own role and function relates to Client business objectives Strong client/customer focus, coupled with a collaborative style.

• Ability to handle confidential materials/issues, employee files, salary information, organizational change, grievances, performance reviews Strong attention to detail in composing and proofing materials, establishing priorities, scheduling and meeting deadlines

• Ability to interact and communicate well with individuals at all levels of the organization and across cultures including the ability to handle difficult conversations.

• Ability to build authentic relationships by making oneself available to others and listening to and respecting the perspectives and opinions of others.

• Must possess excellent writing skills for the purpose of composing/drafting correspondence such as: disciplinary/adverse and performance based actions letters (e.g. reprimands, proposal and decisions for suspensions/removals, performance improvement plans, reduction in grade and pay, etc.).

• Ability to work independently, take initiative and complete tasks to deadlines.