Employee and Labor Relations Partner

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Job Description

Job Description

The Global Employee Relations Team supports Western Digital ensuring consistency and reducing compliance risks in our employment practices and policies worldwide. The ER Team partners closely with the regional practitioners, Centers of Excellence, Ethics and Compliance and Legal to review, advise, and investigate workplace concerns and ensure Western Digital’s employees are treated fairly.

As the Employee and Labor Relations Partner, you be the primary liaison between Western Digital, site labor unions, and the Industrial Relations Office. You will own and maintain a collaborative labor/management relationship on the ground, serving as the company’s lead labor negotiator. You will work cross-functionally to bring deep subject matter expertise to people processes and help build and enforce Employee Relations and Labor Relations programs and policies. This position reports to the Senior Manager of Employee Relations.

This role supports primarily Malaysia but serves as a back-up for ER partners in other locations as well. The role will be based in Penang. Working on-site is highly preferred but we will consider a hybrid model as well. The key responsibilities for the role are:

• Conduct investigative casework from end-to-end, inclusive of interviewing, data/evidence analysis, disciplinary/remedial action adjudication, and report writing
• Analyze casework trends and produce strategic recommendations to the business to proactively address systemic issues
• Consult and collaborate with business partners, local teams, Legal, and outside counsel on complex employee investigations
• Facilitate proper stakeholder engagement to integrate programs and offerings that offer duplicative solutions.
• Rapidly produce high-quality written communications that concisely analyze problems and recommend solutions; design and deliver highly engaging training sessions
• Challenge current practices, industry status quo, and generate creative mechanisms that bring about large-scale solution
• Advise People Solutions Partners and the business on complex employee relations issues
• Be the primary point of contact for all union matters with the union, site management and the IR Office.
• Serves as a member of the bargaining committee.
• Manages all bargaining meeting logistics.
• Coordinate bargaining preparations.
• Be a member of the Labor Management Committee. Review and provide input on LMC agenda items.
• Manages administration of labor contracts; provides interpretation of labor contracts to managers, employees and HR staff; oversees processes for review and resolution of employee grievances
• In partnership with local HR teams, conducts research necessary to support contract negotiations.
• In partnership with Global ER Leaders, propose and use appropriate negotiation strategies to develop bargaining goals and negotiate contracts consistent with the company’s values and goals.

Successful candidates will also demonstrate:

• A strong grounding in Malaysia labor and employment law, inclusive of investigative practices. Knowledge of international labor and employment law a plus
• Passion for Talent Management and the Central Investigations processes
• The ability to understand business goals and recommend new approaches, policies, and procedures to drive continuous improvement
• Strong data and analytical skills