Employee Relations Specialist - Contract Role

Job Description

Under the direction of the Team Lead, the Colleague Relations Specialist is responsible for managing a caseload of sensitive and escalated matters related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as overseeing leave of absence (LOA) administration. The Specialist provides subject matter expertise to leaders and colleagues on these topics and regularly advises managers on how to address related issues.

Additional responsibilities also include providing guidance on policy interpretation, performance management, conflict resolution, and conduct concerns. The role emphasizes proactive coaching and risk mitigation to support effective leadership.

Under the guidance of senior team members, the Specialist may assist with investigations involving harassment, discrimination, and policy violations, contributing to resolution strategies and documentation.

Success in this role requires sound judgment, discretion, a collaborative approach, and the ability to manage a high volume of sensitive matters with professionalism and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Promotes resolution of ADA and LOA matters through a collaborative approach while maintaining consistency in the application of the resolution.

• Serves as a liaison between management, colleagues, the Coaching Resource Center (CRC) and askHR teams for matters involving ADA and LOA.

• Manages a high-volume case load involving ADA/FMLA/LOA, driving inquiries to resolution in a timely fashion; escalates more serious inquiries with a sense of urgency.

• Provides consulting around routine performance management issues. Helps managers differentiate between performance and behavioral issues.

• Provides counsel on how to deal with time and attendance and leave management issues; write effective disciplinary actions, and; provide clearly written objectives and performance evaluations.

• Provides counsel on how to provide constructive feedback, write effective disciplinary actions, and provide clearly written objectives and performance evaluations.

• Under the guidance of more senior leaders, may conduct investigations related to claims of harassment or discrimination and makes recommendations for resolution.

• Refers supervisors and team leads to appropriate training classes and consulting available via the Adtalem online portal.

• Provides excellent customer service demonstrating timely follow up and a sense of urgency.

• Ensures appropriate case details are documented in the case management system.

• Effectively de-escalates issues. Mediates the resolution of colleague complaints.

• Escalates more complex issues to the Practice Leader for consultation.

• Educates managers regarding the spirit and intent of laws, regulations and organization policy.

• Remains current in applicable state and federal employment law.

• Completes other duties as assigned.

• Performs other duties as assigned

• Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Required and Master's Degree preferred
• PHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP preferred and employment law coursework or training preferred
• 4+ years years of experience in HR with exposure to a wide range of employee relations issues with one to two years of experience specifically managing ADA, FMLA and LOA administration required and experience with claims and disputes such as EEO, FMLA and ADA required
• Excellent communications, training, interpersonal skills and influencing skills.
• Strong facilitation, mediation, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Good business acumen and writing skills.
• Skill in analyzing human resource and management problems and devising effective solutions.