Employee Relations Partner

Overview

Responsible for the assisting with employee relations and conflict resolution. Provides support, training, guidance, and recommendations to Goodwill Excel Center and Federal Contracts managers and staff and is an advocate for team members. Reviews disciplinary actions. Mediates disputes and offers solutions to help reduce conflicts, lower turnover, and create a positive working environment. Frequent travel is required within the Washington, DC metropolitan area (DC, MD and VA). This position is responsible and will be held accountable for behaving in accordance with divisional and organizational RISE values and expectations.

Goodwill offers exciting opportunities for professional growth, and robust benefits, including personal time off (PTO), paid holidays, basic life insurance, short/long term disability benefits, individual and family medical, dental and vision benefits, pet insurance, generous employee discounts, and access to an employee assistance program (EAP). 403(b)/401(k) plan with match available after 1 year. Bonus eligible.


Responsibilities

Competencies:
• Instills Trust
• Communicates Effectively
• Action Oriented
• Customer Focus
• Manages Conflict
• Collaborates

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Provides effective legal and appropriate Human Resources guidance and recommendations to managers and direct line associates for problem resolution regarding policy interpretation and performance management.

2. Conducts investigations of internal complaints and concerns, including allegations of violations of company policies, code of conduct, working conditions, disciplinary actions, and employee and applicant grievances.

3. Recommends employee relations practices necessary to establish a positive employer-employee relationship and promote a high level of employee morale and motivation and related measurements of success.

4. Ensures proper documentation of employee relations issues and advises managers and supervisors about the steps in the organization's progressive discipline system.


5. Trains staff of proper disciplinary action, employee relations, and conflict resolution.


6. Evaluates established metrics and provides recommendations for positively impacting turnover and retention.

7. In conjunction with RISE Coaches assists in referrals to third party providers to offer resources in anger management, conflict resolution, and other associate supports.


8. Conducts retention and exit interviews and provides analysis of findings.

9. Makes recommendations to amend policies practices and procedures where current and pending legal regulations may impact policy or organization.

10. Prepares and presents required and special reports.

11. Serves as department representative to various internal and external committees or panels and participates on special projects as necessary.


12. Responds to and/or appears at various government/legal hearings as directed to include preparing input for AAP, EEO-1 and Vets -100 and other government filings.

13. Performs other duties as assigned or as may be necessary.

Supervisory Responsibility:
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
1. Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.


2. Minimum two years previous experience working in a HR environment in employee relations or mediating grievances/disputes.

3. Knowledge of federal and state employment/labor laws and the ability to understand and apply federal, state, local changes and/or new regulations/laws pertaining to human resources.

4. Ability to analyze human resources data for critical indicators.


5. Strong Microsoft Office skills.

6. Demonstrated verbal and written communication proficiency with excellent attention to detail.


7. Strong customer service skills and ability to communicate with all levels of staff.


8. Ability to multitask, prioritize, and follow through on assignments.


9. Ability to be flexible and adjust and respond positively to changing business conditions.

10. Must have own transportation due to required frequent travel to off-site locations.


Preferred Qualifications:
1. Specialized training in employee relations, employment law, organizational planning, organization development, or labor relations preferred.


2. PHR certified; membership in professional HR accredited association (SHRM).


3. Spanish language or ASL ability.


4. Experience working in retail or company with large numbers of entry level employees.


5. Previous experience in a federal contracting environment.

6. Knowledge of EO 11246 preferred.

7. Experience with OFCCP Compliance Reviews.
8. Experience with EEO-1 and VETS-100 reporting a plus.