Senior Employee Relations Specialist

Description

About LIFE Pittsburgh

LIFE Pittsburgh, a growing nonprofit organization with approximately 350 employees, is a community-based alternative to nursing home care and assisted living. Through the LIFE Pittsburgh program, frail older adults can remain in their own home and receive a coordinated plan of care that enables them to maintain their independence and enjoy a safe and active life in the community. Our health teams of geriatric physicians and nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation specialists and other health care professionals assess our Participants' needs and desires, plan and approve services with them and their family or caregiver, monitor for changes and provide timely interventions. Primary care and community services are provided through our Day Health Centers and through our in-home program according to an individual Participant's needs.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Sr. Employee Relations Specialist leads the Employee Relations functions, providing the highest level of customer service to LIFE Pittsburgh’s management team and staff and ensuring legal requirements are met and staff are provided with a positive work environment. Responsibilities include: 

· Advises employees and all levels of management in employee or management issues guided by LIFE Pittsburgh’s policy and procedures and within State and Federal laws; this includes: complex employee relations issues, disciplinary actions, legal issues (harassment, discrimination, leave, accommodations, etc), performance management, policy interpretation and investigations. Recommends corrective action and terminations to the Director of Human Resources and Chief Operating Officer. 

· Leads comprehensive investigations, related to legal issues (harassment, discrimination, etc.), interviewing all relevant parties, obtaining factual information, and in collaboration with the Director of Human Resources advises management on findings and recommendations for actions. 

· Responds to, prepares and supports management with the unemployment compensation process, to include initial requests and responses, hearings and appeals if necessary. Works with LIFE Pittsburgh’s legal representatives in select cases. 

· Leads the LIFE Pittsburgh Safety Committee and overall safety awareness initiatives for LIFE Pittsburgh. Serves as Chairperson for the committee, leading monthly meetings, identifying safety issues/trends and recommends initiatives to address. Reports regularly on the actions of the committee. 

· Manages the Workers Comp program, investigates injuries, works with management to address workplace issues and collaborates with 3rd party insurer to expedite return to work status for injured workers. 

· Conducts Human Resources portion of New Employee Orientation, develops relationships with new employees and regularly checks in with staff to see if there are any workplace concerns. Assists and participates in management and staff training on Human Resource related topics. 

· Performs in-person exit interviews with staff leaving the organization to identify factors contributing to their decision. Reports regularly on trends, and works with management to address identified issues. 

· Monitors all Human Resources Policies/Procedures and Standard Operation Procedures, recommends edits/revisions when appropriate. 

· Drives the Performance Management program, reviews evaluations and provides guidance to managers, ensures that ratings are consistent with documentation and consistent across the organization. 

Requirements

· Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, PHR or professional certification or Master’s Degree strongly preferred. 

· 3-5 years’ progressive experience in a Human Resources environment, specifically working with employee relations issues including but not limited to employee investigations, discrimination and/or harassment complaints, unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation, etc. 

· Knowledge of state and federal employment laws