Senior Counsel - Labor & Employment

We’re Hiring for a Senior Counsel – Labor & Employment!        

If you are excited and passionate about helping #LetsSolveWater, consider joining our team today!  Xylem, Inc. is a leading global water technology company servicing more than 150 countries and is dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues.  We are looking for individuals to join our mission by exceeding customer expectations through smart sustainable solutions.  At Xylem, you will have the opportunity to solve water by participating in our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark!       

THE ROLE: The Senior Counsel – Labor & Employment will be responsible for supporting the human resources (HR) function in all aspects of employment and labor law in collaboration and under the direction of the VP, Chief Counsel, Litigation, Employment & Risks. This individual will partner with HR and business managers to manage risk and provide employment law advice and counseling regarding US and international Associates. Additionally, this individual will be responsible for overseeing employment claims and litigation filed against the company and managing the legal costs associated with these matters.  We offer a full benefits package to include Flexible Time Off (FTO) for salaried positions, health, dental, vision, investment savings plan, and additional miscellaneous benefits.           

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.        

• Advise HR professionals and business managers on employment-related matters under US federal, state, and local laws (g. compliance with Title VII, ADAAA, FLSA, FMLA, and state/local sick leave laws, FCRA multistate drug testing issues, enforcement of restrictive covenants, etc.)
• In consultation with outside counsel, advise HR professionals and business managers regarding international labor and employment matters.
• Advise on matters related to Labor Relations issues and provide oversight and guidance as requested for grievances, arbitration, and negotiations as well as develop strategies that minimize risk for the organization and partners with other HR resources in addressing labor issues.
• Advise HR professionals on emerging legislative and regulatory changes affecting employment and labor obligations.
• Assist in the review and updating of company policy & procedures and training, as needed to comply with state, local and federal law employment, and labor law changes.
• Review and revise internal policies and procedures to ensure multi-jurisdictional regulatory compliance.
• Provide legal representation and/or oversee outside counsel regarding agency administrative charges inclusive of all matters insured under the company EPL policy and those matters that are uninsured, but employment related.
• Respond to attorney letters, complaints and claims involving employment and labor related matters.
• Supervise outside counsel with respect to employment matters.
• Provide perspectives and guidance as needed on transition issues like paid time off payouts, terminations, furloughs, and WARN issues.
• Additional duties and responsibilities may be required based on organization needs. 

QUALIFICATIONS:        

• JD from accredited school and an active license and membership in good standing with at least one U.S. State.
• 3+ years of experience in a dedicated employment law practice or in-house experience as an HR professional or employment lawyer. Subject-matter expertise in multi-jurisdictional employment issues and disputes is preferred.
• Experience with the management of employment related litigation.
• Experience in providing advice and counseling to HR business clients at various levels of the organization.
• Experience with union collective bargaining agreements is a plus.
• Familiarity with employee benefits and compensation plans.
• Ability to independently identify employment law risks and formulate strategies regarding the same.
• Ability to think strategically and evaluate potential risks to the Company including economic, legal, and reputational risks.
• 10% travel required. 

At Xylem, we embrace diversity and strive to create avenues where employees feel valued and appreciated through our DE&I initiatives and Employee Resources Groups (ERG).  Xylem is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action workplace.  Xylem prohibits discrimination, harassment of any kind and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or sexual orientation (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, medical conditions or disability, genetic information, age, or other non-merit factors.        

Join the global Xylem team today!  Xylem is a team creating advanced technology solutions to the world’s water challenges through developing new technologies and services that will improve the way water is used, conserved, and re-used in the future is central to our work. Our products and services move, treat, analyze, monitor, and return water to the environment, in public utility, industrial, residential, and commercial building services settings. Xylem also provides a leading portfolio of smart metering, network technologies and advanced analytics solutions for water, electric and gas utilities.      

Disclaimer: The information listed within this job description is designed to indicate the general nature of work expected for this position and shall not be viewed as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required in this position.  Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job absent undue hardship.  Xylem reserves the right to modify this job description or assign other duties to this position as needed.      

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