Employee Relations Partner (Hybrid)

Quest Diagnostics - Tampa, FL

Full-time - Mid Level

Tampa, FL

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Employee Relations Partner plays a crucial role in both leadership and team dynamics, focusing on coaching and counseling leaders and peers regarding performance improvement, employee development, and corrective actions. This position requires meticulous documentation of all Employee Relations activities in accordance with established protocols. The Employee Relations Partner serves as a mentor, providing guidance and support to Human Resources Generalists, and is responsible for supporting leaders and employees across various geographical regions and functions. This support includes interpreting employment policies, practices, and protocols, as well as collaborating with Quest legal partners to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws. In this role, the Employee Relations Partner provides consistent coaching, expertise, and consultation to internal customers on behavior modification, conflict resolution, and disciplinary issues, including terminations, in alignment with the company's values, policies, and procedures. The position involves investigating and resolving workplace issues, offering support to managers and employees on complex matters such as discrimination, harassment, workplace violence, and employee performance. The Employee Relations Partner also collaborates with other departments, such as Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), to maintain a safe work environment and partners with Compliance on investigations and Benefits regarding issues related to Leave of Absence (LOA) and Return to Work (RTW). Additionally, the Employee Relations Partner advises managers and supervisors on performance evaluations, feedback, recognition techniques, and the establishment of performance improvement plans that align with organizational goals. This role requires maintaining current knowledge of policies, guidelines, and employment laws across all regions and functions, and may involve assisting in the research and documentation for litigation or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges. The Employee Relations Partner is expected to maintain confidentiality, protect company assets, report non-compliance, and adhere to all applicable laws and company policies.

Responsibilities

• Coach and counsel leaders and peers on performance improvement, employee development, and corrective actions.
• Document all Employee Relations activities per established protocols.
• Serve as a mentor to Human Resources Generalists.
• Support leaders and employees in interpreting employment policies and practices.
• Provide guidance and counseling on moderately complex issues, employment policies, and laws.
• Investigate and resolve workplace issues, including discrimination, harassment, and workplace violence.
• Advise managers on performance evaluations, feedback, and recognition techniques.
• Assist managers in aligning employee performance improvement plans with organizational goals.
• Educate managers on federal and state employment laws to ensure legal compliance.
• Facilitate communication between employees, management, and other HR functions.
• Assemble and review records and documentation for thorough investigations.
• Maintain current knowledge of policies, guidelines, and employment laws.
• Assist in researching and compiling documentation for litigation or EEOC charges.
• Work collaboratively with HR Centers of Excellence and HR Business Partners to resolve complex complaints.
• Maintain privacy and confidentiality of information and adhere to applicable laws and regulations.

Requirements

• 3 - 5 years of Employee Relations experience, including familiarity with applicable state and federal regulations.
• Familiarity with HR systems, such as HRIS, HR Reporting, and Case Management.
• Thorough knowledge of Human Resources philosophies, principles, and practices.
• Understanding of union avoidance strategies.
• Ability to research information and analyze data to make valid conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to investigate and resolve employee issues of moderate complexity effectively.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and communicate ideas clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to deal with people sensitively, tactfully, and professionally.
• Ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and apply critical thinking skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with a diverse population at all organizational levels.
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at different levels in the organization.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).