Employee Relations Specialist

Job Details

Job Location
Denton, TX - Denton, TX

Position Type
Full Time

Salary Range
$60,000.00 - $70,000.00 Salary/year

Description

Employee Relations Specialist
Walters Wedding Estates

The Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for managing and resolving complex employee relations issues, conducting investigations, and ensuring compliance with labor laws and company policies. This role also oversees unemployment claims and workers' compensation cases, providing comprehensive support to both employees and management. Reports to the Human Resources Director.

What You'll Do:

Employee Relations Management:

• Serve as a resource for employees and managers by addressing workplace issues, concerns, and conflicts.
• Mediate disputes between employees or between employees and management, ensuring fair and effective resolutions.
• Promote a positive workplace culture by implementing employee engagement and relations strategies.

Investigations and Conflict Resolution:

• Conduct thorough investigations into employee complaints, such as harassment, discrimination, or misconduct.
• Document findings and recommend appropriate actions, including mediation, disciplinary actions, or further training.
• Collaborate with legal and HR leadership to ensure compliance with internal policies and applicable laws during investigations.

Compliance with Labor Laws:

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws, including anti-discrimination laws, wage and hour regulations, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and others.
• Provide guidance to managers and employees on labor law compliance, disciplinary processes, and employee rights.
• Review and update employee relations policies to ensure alignment with legal requirements and best practices.

Policy Development and Enforcement:

• Develop and implement employee relations policies, including disciplinary actions, grievance procedures, and workplace conduct standards.
• Ensure consistent application of company policies across departments.
• Communicate policies to employees and management through training and written materials.

Managerial Support and Guidance:

• Provide coaching and guidance to managers on handling employee relations matters such as conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and performance management.
• Assist managers in preparing for difficult conversations with employees, ensuring a respectful and compliant approach.
• Work with managers to develop and implement performance improvement plans (PIPs) when necessary.

Unemployment Claims Management:

• Handle all unemployment claims, ensuring timely and accurate submissions to state unemployment agencies.
• Review claims for accuracy, contest invalid claims when necessary, and provide supporting documentation to protect the company's interests.
• Represent the company in unemployment hearings and appeals, preparing witnesses and evidence when necessary.
• Maintain thorough records of unemployment claims and outcomes to identify trends and mitigate future risks.

Workers' Compensation Management:

• Oversee workers' compensation claims, working closely with employees, supervisors, and insurance providers to ensure timely reporting and resolution of claims.
• Manage the workers' compensation process, including filing claims, coordinating medical care, and tracking employee recovery and return-to-work status.
• Communicate regularly with injured employees to provide support and ensure they understand the process.
• Collaborate with legal and safety teams to ensure compliance with workers' compensation laws and to implement strategies for reducing workplace injuries.
• Analyze workers' compensation data to identify trends and recommend safety improvements to reduce incidents.

Employee Engagement and Retention:

• Develop and support initiatives to improve employee satisfaction, reduce turnover, and enhance employee engagement.
• Conduct exit interviews to gather feedback from departing employees and identify opportunities for improving retention.
• Analyze employee relations data and trends to make recommendations for improving workplace culture and reducing conflicts.

Risk Management and Crisis Response:

• Identify potential employee relations risks, such as emerging grievances or legal concerns, and work proactively to mitigate those risks.
• Lead the response to crises involving employee relations, such as large-scale layoffs, severe employee misconduct, or workplace safety incidents.

Collaboration with HR and Legal Teams:

• Work closely with the HR team, including business partners and other managers, to ensure alignment of employee relations strategies with broader company goals.
• Collaborate with legal counsel on complex employee relations matters, potential litigation, and compliance issues.
• Provide support during audits or reviews of employee relations practices to ensure legal and policy compliance.

Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to manage and resolve conflict effectively
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations, including workers' compensation and unemployment laws
• Proven ability to conduct thorough investigations and document findings
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with discretion
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel)

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in employee relations or human resources
• Experience handling unemployment claims and workers' compensation cases
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and managing employee relations issues
• Must be able to communicate effectively with others to exchange information
• Ability to travel to various company locations, as needed

Compensation & Schedule:

• Full-time: Hybrid schedule, 3 days in office
• Base: $60,000-$70,000 annually

Benefits:

• 85% Employer-Subsidized Medical, in addition we offer Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401k plan with a 4% Match
• Unlimited PTO
• Device & Phone Stipend