Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Employee Relations Specialist
An Employee Relations Specialist is a professional who specializes in managing and improving the relationship between employees and the organization they work for. They play a vital role in ensuring a positive work environment, handling employee concerns, and promoting effective communication between employees and management. In this blog post, we will delve into the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Employee Relations Specialists.
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Main Responsibilities of an Employee Relations Specialist
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Employee Relations Specialist:
Advise
Advise HR / Managers and supervisors regarding adherence to collective bargaining agreements.
Advise management on employee disciplinary actions and terminations.
Advise management on employee performance management and improvement plans.
Assist in
Assist Employee Relations team members with more complex matters.
Assist in the resolution of workplace harassment or discrimination cases.
Assist legal department with compliance projects.
Assist with development and deliver training programs as needed.
Assist with the preparation, analysis, and tracking of the Labour Relations Budget.
Build
Build and maintain positive relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.
Collaborate with
Collaborate and consult on non-HR policies.
Collaborate with external stakeholders, such as labor unions or employee associations.
Collaborate with HR team to address employee relations matters.
Collaborate with legal counsel on employment-related issues.
Collect
Collect and analyze employee data.
Complete
Complete project tasks within time and budget as directed.
Conduct
Conduct complex investigations and decision reviews.
Conduct employee relations training for managers and supervisors.
Conduct employee satisfaction surveys and analyze results.
Conduct exit interviews and analyze feedback for improvement.
Conduct investigations into disciplinary and other matters as required.
Conduct investigations into employee complaints and concerns.
Conduct investigations on open cases.
Conduct training and coaching of managers on skills and techniques.
Consult
Consult and build relationships with all levels of operational management and ES team members.
Contribute to
Contribute to the HR Leadership team, both on ER and broader HR matters.
Coordinate
Coordinate employee recognition programs and initiatives.
Coordinate small and large scale meetings / activities.
Coordinate with management team on Health & Safety matters including workplace injury situations.
Create
Create and edit business correspondence, presentations, project plans, reports and analytical data.
Deliver
Deliver employee relations training workshops managers across the U.K. management population.
Determine
Determine the appropriate response to such patterns and events.
Develop
Develop and deliver employee training programs on workplace policies and procedures.
Develop and deliver related training / awareness sessions to management and HR Partners as required.
Develop and implement employee relations programs and policies.
Develop and implement employee retention strategies.
Develop and implement HR policies and procedures as required.
Develop and implement strategies to enhance employee communication.
Develop and improve programs related to employee morale, employee engagement and satisfaction.
Develop, recommends, and implement HR policies that meet company needs.
Document
Document investigation, recommendations and resolution for the complaint.
Draft
Draft grievance settlement documents and disciplinary warnings.
Ensure
Ensure appropriate documentation to support decision.
Ensure company compliance is updated and management is kept well-informed of any compliance changes.
Ensure compliance with all grants and contracts for employment related requirements.
Escalate
Escalate matters that are ambiguous or require more expertise to resolve.
Facilitate
Facilitate communication between employees and management.
File
File EEO-1 annually report, maintain records, reports and logs to conform to EEO regulations.
Follow
Follow procedure and process to have all policies approved prior to dissemination.
Identify
Identify and diagnose patterns and events within respective region.
Identify and escalates competing demands, proposes solutions on how to best address these.
Identify trends that will foster a positive and respectful work environment.
Identify, updates, and documents processes and procedures.
Implement
Implement solutions as directed and executes elements of defined projects.
Interpret
Interpret and apply collective agreements, ensuring consistent application.
Interpret and apply relevant labour and employment legislation and regulations.
Interpret and enforce labor laws, regulations, and employment contracts.
Interview
Interview and recommend hiring decision for professional level roles.
Investigate
Investigate alleged violations of Policy, including Title VII.
Investigate, review, consult, and provide recommendations to managers on employee misconduct issues.
Join
Join representatives for on-site interviews, events, meetings.
Keep
Keep abreast of local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation.
Keep matters confidential and uses ordinary tact and courtesy while safeguarding confidentiality.
Lead
Lead and oversee the volunteer orientation and program.
Lead investigations and resolution recommendations for any privacy breaches.
Liaise with
Liaise with internal and external legal counsel as required.
Maintain
Maintain a record of communications.
Maintain best practices for processes (i.e. Performance Appraisals / Executive Review Boards).
Maintain current knowledge of and ensures compliance with provincial employment laws.
Maintain employee records and documentation related to employee relations.
Maintain strict confidentiality throughout conversations and investigations.
Manage
Manage and finds solutions on employee relations issues escalated from the Service Centre.
Manage communication with employees on leave of absence and facilitate return to work plans.
Manage employee relations budget and resources.
Mediate
Mediate and resolve conflicts between employees and management.
Meet
Meet one-on-one with candidates for monthly check-ins.
Monitor
Monitor and analyze employee relations metrics and trends.
Monitor disciplinary practices and performance management practices.
Observe
Observe all safety standards and report unsafe conditions.
Observe procedures to maintain the security of highly sensitive and confidential matters.
Participate in
Participate in employee disciplinary meetings and grievance procedures.
Participate in investigation debrief, draft discipline letters and provide coaching as needed.
Plan
Plan and hosts on-site events to promote Robert Half and boost employee morale.
Prepare
Prepare ad hoc reports for key stakeholders.
Prepare regular reports and monitors metrics as required.
Promote
Promote positive employee morale and engagement.
Provide
Provide advice and counsel to leaders on ELR practices, policies, and employment laws.
Provide appropriate coaching and development feedback to managers and employees.
Provide change management support to management and HRPBs.
Provide Employee Relations support for People Leaders and employees.
Provide guidance and advice to employees regarding workplace issues.
Provide guidance and support during organizational changes and restructuring.
Provide guidance on employee benefits and compensation matters.
Provide input and insight on holistic intervention and engagement efforts and remedies.
Provide ongoing coaching and guidance to management to enhance their people management capability.
Provide recommendations and the resolution for the complaint.
Provide specialist advice on labour relations requirements and procedures.
Recommend
Recommend or take appropriate actions to address concerns as needed.
Research
Research external trends and best practices to ensure good Employee Relations practices.
Resolve
Resolve problems in a systematic, step-by-step way.
Resolve problems or disputes between employee / management.
Respond to
Respond to and monitors unemployment claims and appeals hearings.
Respond to works council requests for information and provides regular reports.
Review
Review and provide options, as needed, to find resolution to the concerns.
Review discipline administered by management ensuring appropriate documentation.
Schedule
Schedule all arrangements and send communications.
Seek
Seek out and build relationships and business.
Share
Share feedback to client regarding candidates concerns / satisfaction.
Stay updated with
Stay updated with changes in employment laws and regulations.
Stay updated with industry trends and best practices in employee relations.
Suggest
Suggest proactive solutions to address employee and business needs.
Support
Support and consult with HRBPs and managers with position elimination activities.
Support and consult with HR Business Partners and managers with position elimination activities.
Support on acquisition and merger related ER processes and consultations.
Support the consultation of complex projects in cooperation with HR and Legal.
Support the development and implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Support the HR Generalist / Business Partners with any change programmes.
Take
Take the lead in maintaining placed candidate communication and relationships.
Track
Track and regularly report on cases.
Understand
Understand customer's business and ER requirements.
Use
Use data points to recommend solutions to mitigate risk.
Utilize
Utilize Case Management tools to document and effectively manage ER matters and investigations.
Visit
Visit sites to conduct investigations if needed.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Employee Relations Specialist:
Proficiency in employment laws and regulations.
Knowledge of labor relations and collective bargaining processes.
Understanding of HR policies and procedures.
Expertise in conducting investigations and interviews.
Competence in conflict resolution and mediation.
Familiarity with performance management and improvement plans.
Knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
Proficiency in interpreting employment contracts and agreements.
Understanding of employee benefits and compensation principles.
Ability to analyze and interpret employee relations data.
Competence in conducting employee surveys and analyzing results.
Familiarity with HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) software.
Knowledge of best practices in employee communication and engagement.
Understanding of organizational change management principles.
Proficiency in project management and planning.
Knowledge of workplace health and safety regulations.
Familiarity with employee retention strategies.
Understanding of employee relations in a global or multicultural context.
Knowledge of HR compliance and ethics.
Proficiency in using HR analytics and reporting tools.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Employee Relations Specialist:
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation abilities.
Empathy and compassion in dealing with employee concerns.
Active listening and problem-solving skills.
Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
Professionalism and ethical conduct.
Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with employees and stakeholders.
Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Conclusion
Employee Relations Specialists play a crucial role in fostering positive relationships and resolving workplace issues within organizations. This blog post outlined the primary responsibilities of an Employee Relations Specialist and highlighted the most in-demand hard and soft skills required to excel in this field. By possessing a combination of technical expertise and essential personal qualities, Employee Relations Specialists contribute to creating a harmonious and productive work environment, ultimately benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.
