Company Description

McDonald’s is proud to be one of the most recognized brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries that serve 70 million customers daily. We continue to operate from a position of strength. Our updated growth strategy is focused on staying ahead of what our customers want and realizing further growth potential. Our relentless ambition is why McDonald’s remains one of the world’s leading corporations after almost 70 years. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world.

At McDonald’s, we see every day as a chance to create positive impact. We lead through our values centered on inclusivity, service, integrity, community and family. From support of Ronald McDonald House Charities to our Youth Opportunity project and sustainability initiatives, our values keep us dedicated to using our scale for good: good for our customers, people, industry and planet. We also offer a broad range of outstanding benefits including a sabbatical program, tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements.

We are enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work model, in which employees spend part of their week connecting with co-workers in our state-of-the-art headquarters. Located in the booming West Loop of downtown Chicago, it's set up to be a global hub that cultivates collaboration:

• Take a class at Hamburger University
• Sample future items in our Test Kitchen
• Utilize the latest technology to connect with your team around the globe

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our crew members, staff, operators, and suppliers. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone.

Job Description

The Manager-Employee Relations will lead efforts that cultivate a positive work environment that support our values and brand standards in our restaurants and that is consistent with the company’s overall business and human capital strategies. They will support the needs of multiple US-based markets and develop tools and resources specific to employee relations and legal compliance. As a subject matter authority in employee relations, this role will advise owner/operators, employees, and vendors regarding a broad range of trends and optional strategies, programs and activities.

The position is a full-time role and reports to the Director-Employee Relations. This person will ideally work remotely in the PST timezone.

Principal Accountabilities:

Leadership

• Participate in the development of short and long-term strategies.
• Supervise end-to-end design and implementation of tools, materials, training courses and communications to maintain a positive work environment.
• Identify trends, future needs and potential barriers to employee engagement.
• Focus on finding opportunities to elevate employer brand reputation and crew-first mentality through existing initiatives.
• Actively stays abreast of labor and HR-related trends, legislative and regulatory developments or updates that may impact the brand.

Advise and Influence

• Responsible for triaging reports of complex employee relations issues within designated markets.
• Deliver positive employee relations training to a variety of audiences to promote transfer of knowledge and application of key takeaways.
• Provide resources, guidance and expertise when complex employee issues (i.e., discrimination, harassment, workplace violence, safety) arise, consistent with company policies and practices and limits exposure to legal liability.
• Ensure tools, resources, and processes in assigned areas are relevant, driven to standard and aligned with applicable employment laws.
• Monitor and maintains awareness of pending employment trend changes that affect US-based restaurants and communicates proactively.
• Take a leadership role with customers and apply employee and labor relations expertise to implement short and long-term solutions that balances the needs of employees, the business and legal compliance.

Relationships

• Build and bring to bear a strong and cohesive partnership with appropriate partners across the business including a focus on key collaborators in Operations, Global People, and Global Impact.
• Collaborate with customers to understand needs and ensure communication, training and other support is provided to build capability and deliver on market-level strategies.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of HR principles, concepts, and industry-standard methodologies.
• Knowledge of federal and state employee-related laws, including NLRA, wage and hour, OSHA and EEO.
• Able to work reactively on crisis-oriented issues under limitations while exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to forge deep relationships and build trust with partners and customers.
• Data-driven decision maker that identifies and manages risk and resolves contingency plans appropriately.
• Proven track-record of managing multiple projects at once with thoughtful prioritization and seeks continuous improvement.
• Ability to handle confidential information and raise issues when appropriate.
• Ability to work within a virtual team and business environment, across different time zones and travel as necessary, sometimes on short notice (up to 40%).

Additional Information

McDonald’s is committed to providing qualified individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their jobs. Additionally, if you (or another applicant of whom you are aware) require assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise seek assistance in the application process, please contact [email protected] 

McDonald’s provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.