Employee & Labor Relations Specialist
Job Summary:
The position is responsible for ensuring that EDMC policies, procedures and training efforts support an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination and in compliance with all federal, state and local employment laws and regulations, including Title VII, Title IX, the ADA, ADEA, NLRA, FMLA and FLSA. Under the supervision of the ER manager, responsible for partnering with Ed System and OHE HR professionals and assisting in proactive measures to maintain a positive employment relations climate at all campus and call center locations. Also responsible for assisting with the ethics hotline investigations and other internal complaints of discrimination, harassment, etc. This position ensures corporate-wide compliance with training initiatives for faculty and staff on a range of employment law topics. The position also monitors HR policy compliance and supports the ongoing revision and development of EDMC HR policies. Incumbent must assure that the EDMC philosophy: quality services to clients; development, growth, involvement, and recognition of employees; sound economic principles; and environment which is conducive to innovation, positive thinking and expansion - is considered in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position.
Key Job Elements:
- Assist with efforts to develop and maintain positive employee relations/practices.
- Assist with the maintenance of the employee ethics hotline and internet site to ensure that all inquires are appropriately investigated and resolved in compliance with internal procedures. More complex investigations may require oversight and direction by the ER manager.
- Assist with the implementation of ethics and compliance training, process development and reporting initiatives - including leading cross-functional project teams - partnering with legal, compliance, and talent development departments.
- Lead and/or assist with investigations of internal employee relations complaints. Provide advice and direction to HR professionals and Ed System managers for the timely resolution of any internal complaints of discrimination, harassment and other employee issues. Become point of contact for employees with concerns about employee relations matters.
- Ensure HR policies are reviewed and amended as needed based on changes to legislation and/or internal processes and practices. Ensure full accountability for all HR policies consistency and compliance in application of all HR policies.
- Monitor the implementation of ethics and compliance training; track completion statistics and update content; develop leadership reports showing trends and highlighting opportunities for improvement.
- Facilitate proactive trainings and mentoring activities to ensure managers understand and comply with all employment laws and EDMC’s Code of Conduct.
- Provide advice and counsel to Ed System leaders and HR on employee terminations and difficult corrective action situations.
- Other Duties as assigned.
Reports to:
Employee Relations Manager
Interacts with:
All levels of the organization and with the human resources, legal and pr staff.
Job Requirements:
Knowledge:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business or Industrial Relations or related field required.
- 5 years experience in labor and employee relations, preferably in a post secondary education environment or other field with large multi-state employee base and strong external customer service requirements (e.g., health care, retail, financial or mortgage services, etc.).
- Experience working in unionized business environments a plus
Skills:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills with both faculty and staff populations.
- Demonstrated change management and influence skills.
- Superior organization, prioritization, and self-motivation skills.
- Excellent critical thinking and analysis skills
- Strong computer literacy skills with the MS Office suite as well as HRIS database applications.
Abilities:
- Ability to interact effectively as either a leader or as a member of a team and work collaboratively with other departments.
- Ability to plan, coordinate, monitor and motivate the activities of others.
- Ability to listen to customers (e.g. staff, etc.) and to understand and respond positively to their requests.
- Ability to quickly build trust and credibility with constituents.
- Ability to quickly assess situations, build consensus and implement practical solutions.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office or school, handle various types of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.
Notice
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Education Management Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success. We are committed to building and developing a diverse environment where a variety of ideas, cultures and perspectives can thrive.