Human Resources University Partner - Employee Relations

The HRUP – Employee Relations is a pivotal role in achieving a respectful, compliant, and high-performing workplace.  This position manages key aspects of employee relations, including conducting workplace investigations, resolving conflicts, and interpreting policies to ensure fair and consistent practices. It also oversees the administration of leaves of absence and workplace accommodations, ensuring alignment with legal standards and company policies. Beyond case management, this role actively contributes to training and development initiatives that strengthen leadership effectiveness and organizational culture; employee experience initiatives; and overall support of the HR department. May support specific constituent groups. Bilingual fluency in Spanish (read, write, and speak) is required to effectively support our diverse workforce.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The employee 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.

Employee Relations/Investigation Management:

Investigations: Manage and conduct workplace investigations from initial intake to conclusion in alignment with university procedures. This includes handling complex allegations of law or policy violations related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, bullying, or other complaints or concerns, ensuring confidentiality, neutrality, and compliance with legal and university policies. Provides timely communication to all relevant parties throughout the investigation process. Interacts with all involved in the investigatory process, helping to develop understanding, transparency, and trust around the university’s investigative function. 

Conflict Resolution and Mediation: In partnership with HR Partners, proactively works to address and resolve workplace disputes. This may involve informal mediation, or conflict resolution programs to address issues at their earliest stages, preventing them from escalating into formal complaints.

Develops and promotes strategies to integrate inclusion and belonging principles into employee relations and other university processes and policies. Provides proactive guidance to managers on how to foster a more equitable workplace and mitigate potential sources of bias in the workplace and talent acquisition processes.

Management of Leaves of Absence (LOA):

Manage the administration of Leaves of Absence for employees, including FMLA, military, and personal leave, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and university policies. Serve as the primary point of contact for employees requesting leave, providing clear guidance on their rights and responsibilities. Collaborate with managers and department heads to plan for and manage employee absences, minimizing operational disruptions. Maintain meticulous records of leave requests and approvals, and work closely with employee on leave, HR Partners and payroll to ensure accurate management of benefits, compensation, and return-to-work processes.

Workplace Accommodation:

Oversee workplace accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and relevant legislation, ensuring timely, appropriate responses. Initiate medical provider requests in order to evaluate accommodation requests. Collaborate with employees and managers to assess accommodation needs, offering guidance on potential solutions while ensuring adherence to ADA guidelines. Provide education and training to faculty, staff, and leadership on the accommodation process, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. Maintain precise, confidential records of accommodation requests and outcomes, ensuring full compliance with legal requirements.

Document & Database Management:

Compile, prepare, and maintain relevant documents to create timely and comprehensive written investigative reports that clearly identify the issues investigated, relevant policies, and summary of relevant evidence and findings. This includes accurate logs, complete reports and other documentation in relations to the investigation to analyze and for a conclusion; also related to leaves of absence and workplace accommodations documentation and correspondence.  

System administrator of a database to be developed in order to manage and record complaints, leaves of absence and workplace accommodations. Develop and maintain an organized electronic filing system that encompasses all of the office's activities within the system. Analyzes data and develops reports to communicate the information on a regular basis

Policy / Compliance:

Serves as one of the department's administrative experts on human resources policies. Assist in the d