Employee Relations Specialist - HR

The Employee Relations Specialist/ Generalist is responsible for performing a broad spectrum of duties in support of the Human Resources department on a professional level. This position performs responsibilities in the following functional capacity: employee relations, interpretation of company policy and procedures, leaves of absence, workplace accommodations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides full cycle employee relations guidance working directly with managers on performance management, behavioral coaching, misconduct issues, discipline, and terminations
• Serves as a subject matter expert on company policies, procedures, exceptions, best practices, and performance management
• Identifies ineffective or inconsistent practices through monitoring and investigation of issues and makes recommendations for remediation
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance
• Ensures compliance with all Federal, State, and local municipalities employment law requirements
• Coordinates all Leaves of Absence (LOA) claims ensuring all processes and regulations are applied appropriately and in a timely manner, including FMLA, ADA and STD and LTD
• Establishes claims, tracks and codes documentation and time in accordance with internal processes, prepares and sends communications for LOAs, and analyzes claims to determine eligibility and certification in compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations
• Ensures appropriate processes are in place to provide prompt and equitable resolution of requests, complaints and inquiries from employees and managers regarding compliance with the ADA
• Maintains records of all disability and accommodation issues and the resolution of each through the interactive process
• Represents employer for unemployment hearings

Other Responsibilities

• Acts as the main point of contact for all benefit and payroll questions, supports recruitment as needed
• Demonstrates continuous efforts to improve operations, streamline work processes and work jointly as a team to provide exceptional HR support
• Maintains human resource information system records, including employee files and other HR records, and compiles reports as necessary from database
• Other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Minimum of 5 years' related experience as an HR Generalist is required, with emphasis on FMLA Administration
• Strong working knowledge of employments laws, principles and practices of human resources required
• Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; previous experience with a HRIS; ability to learn and utilize different software systems and applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication, superior organizational, follow-up, and multi-tasking skills with a strict attention to detail
• Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality and exercise excellent professional judgment and discretion
• A team player attitude with a clear understanding of excellence in customer service and the flexibility to assist in all areas of the HR Department as needed
• Bilingual Spanish

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience in the HR field, or any similar combination of education and experience

Other Information

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed, as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.