Job Description

The Senior Employee Relations Advisor is responsible for providing advice and counsel to leaders and employees on a variety of employee relations people practices. They are responsible for conducting investigations and collaborating with multiple stakeholders to establish policies, identify and mitigate HR risks and provide coaching to resolve workplace conflicts. The Senior Employee Relations Advisor provides employee relations (ER) training, influences employee relations decisions balancing business need and risk, and responds to and supports the Office of General Counsel with EEOC and/or DOL claims in collaboration with the legal team.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Conducts investigations in response to a range of employee relations concerns, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace violence, and other violations of rules, regulations, policies, and best practices.
• Collaborates with leaders and employees to resolve complex employee relations issues, working toward effective resolutions.
• Leads and assists in employee relations investigations and escalated issues, reorganizations, disciplinary actions, terminations, and complex unemployment issues.
• Communicates regularly regarding pending investigations and provides timely investigation reports with supporting documentation for all completed investigations.
• Leverages expertise in training, leadership development, leave management, unemployment, and benefits to provide client-group support.
• Manages ER caseload, ensuring submission and use of Case Management tool to actively manage open cases.
• Effectively manages assigned ER compliance related functions, including policy management, training, and monitoring of trends.
• Manages processes related to ER Compliance such as employment processes, harassment/ discrimination training, etc.
• Ensures uniform and equitable application of organizational policies and practices.
• Provides coaching and training on relevant topics to leaders and employees.
• Develops effective relationships with People & Talent (HR Business Partners to promote positive employee relations across the university to ensure a high level of employee satisfaction and engagement.
• Proactively analyzes and interprets ER data and trends, providing timely reports to business partners, OGC, and business leaders to support future actions.
• Maintains an active individual professional development plan to ensure current knowledge on employment laws and regulations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.