Employee Relations Specialist

Job Summary:

The Employee Relations Specialist is a member of a Center of Excellence (CoE) at RWJBarnabas Health, the largest academic healthcare system in New Jersey. As a key member of an Employee Relations Center of Excellence, the Employee Relations Specialist provides support and guidance across the system to Human Resource Business Partners, Directors, and CHROs in addressing violations of System policies, performance management challenges, workplace disputes, compliance complaints, EEO issues, and ADA guidance. Serving as a neutral party, the Employee Relations Specialist conducts timely internal investigations; writing clear, concise, accurate written reports of findings and proposed remedial actions.

The Employee Relations Specialist coaches and collaborates with site Human Resources in identifying and mitigating employment risks and fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, fairness and equity.

They also support the accurate recording, analysis and reporting of data and increasing the understanding of employees and leaders through training sessions and educational materials.

The position requires the ability to operate in the gray as well as superior attention to detail, communication, creativity, critical thinking, empathy, facilitation, mediation, objectivity and organizational skills.

Essential Functions:

• Delivers expertise, consultation, guidance and coaching to HR Business Partners and Managers throughout the health care system on best practices, laws, policies and regulations.
• Triages cases/complaints according to risk/urgency.
• Conducts timely, thoughtful, thorough investigations; identifies policies, documents, media, etc. to be reviewed and analyzed; identifies complainants/participants/subject-matter experts/witnesses and schedules/conducts interviews.
• Prepares investigatory reports; findings/recommendations.
• Enters data in accordance with policy.
• Prepares and provides periodic, and ad hoc, reports, as required.
• Identifies workplace trends and collaborates with the affiliated Human Resources Department to address.
• Partners with senior leadership and/or internal or outside employment counsel as required.
• Maintains confidentiality throughout the process and in handling documentation.
• Delivers presentations, conducts workshops and prepares educational materials to increase the understanding of employees and stakeholders.
• Participates on designated System committee/work groups.
• Remains current with applicable laws, regulations and/or standards Federal, State and Local.
• Other duties as required.

Job Requirements:

• BA/BS in a related field required
• Four (4) to six (6) years general Human Resources experience; at least three (3) years directly managing complex Employee Relations issues
• Knowledge and understanding of Federal and State employment laws e.g. ADA/ADAAA, ADEA, Civil Rights Act of 1964 & 1991, Equal Pay Act, FMLA, GINA, NJCEPA, NJFLA and NJLAD
• Knowledge and understanding of HIPAA and related privacy laws and regulations
• Proven proficiency in Employee Relations/Human Resources software e.g. HR Acuity, PeopleSoft
• Proven proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Word
• Experience in conducting complex, internal investigations and writing investigatory reports
• Experience in preparing educational materials and delivering high quality, effective presentations to large and small audiences
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence; ability to set effective boundaries
• Strong communication skills ability to interact and relate to individuals of diverse disabilities and backgrounds
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Travel within the region required
• PHR, SPHR or related, preferred

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

We offer a great work environment, competitive rates and excellent benefits, including:

• Medical/Dental/Vision plans
• 401 (k)
• Vacation/Personal/Holiday/Sick Time Off
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Basic Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

RWJBarnabas Health is the most comprehensive health care delivery system in New Jersey and the state s second-largest private employer with more than 32,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals, three acute care children s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital (Children s Specialized Hospital).