Employee Relations Specialist

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Manages and executes Employee Relations matters, including investigating issues and providing day-to-day coaching and advice to field managers, regional leaders, and all other assigned employees in a large variety of employee issues, performance management, policy interpretation, and other Human Resource functions. Engage with Works Councils and Unions as required.   Works in partnership and collaboration with Center of Excellence (CoE) and Shared Service functions, serving as an escalation point to effectively administer and support Human Resources and Employee Relations programs in accordance with company policies and procedures. 

This position is performed in environments or issues of high employee relations complexity, either due to the complexity of the applicable regulatory framework, social conflict and/or the difficulty of relations with social partners and stakeholders; it requires applying and making decisions based on innovative solutions and advanced technical knowledge, demonstrating expert knowledge in ER.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Provides expert, trusted and comprehensive advice across the full spectrum of the Human Resources function in a wide range of employee relations matters including performance management, workplace investigations, pay concerns, work environment concerns, employee policy and program questions, separation of employment reviews, and high-risk employee relations cases.Will usually require applying innovative solutions, based on high technical knowledge and expertise.
• Handles highly complex and confidential HR, Human Rights, Compliance, Ethics, and Legal investigations for all Company business lines. 
• Engages in Works Council and union negotiations, contract management, and manages collective bargaining agreement requirements as needed (based on country and legal entity requirements).  Will require agility and large experience in managing complex and potentially conflictive social environments, as well as demonstrate expertise to lead complex and multi-factorial social dialogue.
• Provides counsel, advice, and recommendations in compliance with all regulatory requirements, company policies, and union contracts to ensure the uniform and equitable treatment of employees.   Consults with the Legal, Compliance, Human Rights, and other departments as necessary. Provides expert knowledge of complex and highly complicated regulatory environments.
• Provides guidance and direction regarding performance management plans and all aspects of progressive discipline and documentation.
• Identifies root cause issues in employee engagement and provides conflict resolution skills to both employees and managers, demonstrating agility and extensive experience in managing complex employment and social conflict environments, which requires deep and qualified knowledge of labor regulations as well as the ability to bring “ad hoc” solutions.Follows service level agreements in timely response and follows up to issues including appropriate use of the case management system, effective and thorough documentation and reporting, and all associated processes. Escalates sensitive or critical issues appropriately.  
• As requested, provides education, training, and coaching to managers on conflict management, crucial conversations, performance management, harassment, and other HR related topics.  
• Provides emergency response and crisis management support to employees, and also demonstrates experience in leading and resolving social labor conflicts and disputes.
• Facilitates exit interviews with voluntarily terminating employees when specifically requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and 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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position requires approximately 10%-30% travel; dependent upon country requirements.

This position requires flexibility to deal with complex negotiations with social partners and stakeholders.

SUPERVISION:

• This position has no direct reports.

EDUCATION AND REQUIRED CREDENTIALS:

• Bachelor’s or Master´s Degree required or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• With Bachelor´s degree 12+ years of experience; with Master´s degree 8+ years of experience in a progressive role in Employee Relations, having a strong understanding of country/regional employment law, works council/union requirements, and Human Resources, including complaints investigation and resolution.
• Dependent upon country, has experience in managing works councils and union relations, agreements, and negotiations in complex and conflictive social environments, including social disputes, strikes negotiations and resolution.
• Demonstrates good judgment and objectivity in decision making and in recommendations provided, and the ability to make innovative decisions and think outside the box, combining extensive knowledge on employment regulations with a large expertise in ER/HR
• Demonstrates the ability to work multiple cases of a diverse scope in a productive manner and can bring situations to an effective resolution thoroughly and timely. Must be able to manage multiple and conflicting priorities, as well as have the ability to focus to improve efficiency and optimize processes, improving business results and employee engagement.
• Is resilient and can navigate challenging or difficult situations with the ability to hold crucial conversations. 
• Collaborates at all levels through listening, sharing, and building upon ideas, challenging others’ ideas respectfully, compromises and adapts in order to achieve common goals that are the best interests of the organization and the teams involved.
• Competence in software applications relating to human resources such as case management systems and Workday is preferred along with the suite of Microsoft Office products. 
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills - both written and verbal including English
• Has strong business acumen in addition to Human Resources skills.
• Has an unquestionable commitment to confidentiality, integrity, and privacy.

Healthcare experience a plus.

In accordance with Organic Law 3/2007, of 22 March, FME has set itself the objective of promoting the effective application of the principle of equality between men and women, avoiding any type of labour discrimination based on sex, thus guaranteeing the same opportunities for entry. Likewise, we promote diversity, rejecting any type of discrimination for reasons of race, sex, functional diversity, religion, sexual orientation, sexual identity, or any other personal or social condition, and we are committed to building an inclusive and enriching environment.