Employee and Labor Relations Consultant

El Camino Health is committed to hiring, retaining and growing the best and brightest professionals who will carry our mission and vision forward.  We are proud of our reputation in the community: One built on compassion, innovation, collaboration and delivering high-quality care.  Come join the team that makes this happen.

Applicants MUST apply for position(s) by submitting a separate application for each individual job posting number they are interested in being considered for.

FTE

1

Scheduled Bi-Weekly Hours

80

Work Shift

Day: 8 hours

Job Description

The Employee and Labor Relations Consultant is primarily responsible for conducting labor and employee relations activities and initiatives and will assist with human resources matters by gathering, collecting, and maintaining documents and records required for contract and policy development, investigations, and negotiations. This position develops and implements the Public Employees Relations Board strategy while referencing the National Labor Relations Board and manages and integrates case handling, investigatory meetings, and resolution of grievances.    

Specific Duties & Responsibilities 

Employee and Labor Relations / Administration 

• Provide advice and guidance to all levels of management on labor issues to resolve issues consistent with the relevant CBA and ECH policies and procedures. 

• Assist management and supervisors in conducting internal investigations into workplace disputes, CBA violations, policy violations, etc., ensuring investigations are fair and impartial and provide guidance on post investigation recommendations that are the most effective and are implemented to mitigate risk to ECH.              

• Advise supervisors, managers, and administrators on disciplinary matters. Review disciplinary actions and make sound recommendations to management.      

• Manage the grievance process, including fact finding, reviewing evidence, serving as hearing officer, and rendering written decisions consistent with the terms of the applicable CBA and participating in arbitrations and settlements, where appropriate. 

• Supports Union relations, activities, and initiatives by partnering with union officials; serving as a point of contact to union representatives; drafting and presenting reports and information for sharing

• Mediate and resolve a high volume of day-to-day labor and employment conflicts or issues, retrieve and maintain appropriate documentation and supporting details for discipline. 

• Consult with management and staff of all levels to interpret policies and procedures and how they apply to individual employee circumstances. 

• Review ECH policies and CBAs to advise management about the appropriate next course of action relative to coaching, formal discipline and/or training. 

• Work in partnership with department management regarding appropriate documentation, i.e. disciplinary and performance-based letters i.e. verbal, written warning, suspension and termination, suspension pending investigation, approvals for change of hours or work conditions. 

Relationship Management 

• Provide effective active listening and counseling skills. Appreciate the business/organizational perspective during the resolution process when addressing employee or management concerns. 

• Listen to the situation/concern thoroughly to provide a portfolio of recommendations for a timely and effective resolution. 

• Create and present sound action plans with concrete, actionable measures for effecting change in the workplace to address both technical and interpersonal concerns. 

• Provide one-on-one staff and management coaching and guidance to staff, supervisors and managers on performance improvement and balancing responsibilities. 

• Counsel employees and management to provide consultation on ECH policies and procedures, CBA, and work rules. Ensure that staff and management interpret and apply consistently. 

• Recommend ER/LR practices to assist in establishing a positive employer/employee relationship and to promote a high level of employee morale and engagement.  

Training 

• Develop and present training courses on a host of labor relations topics for management to improve understanding of labor relations and promote improved contract administration. 

Record Keeping 

• Maintain the ER/LR database that includes disciplinary actions, appeals, grievances, risk assessments, RFI’s, and policy violations. 

• Update the divisional employee file with accurate documentation such as signed progressive disciplinary letters. 

• Support the development and maintenance of ER/LR employee notification and appointment template letters. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Industrial Psychology, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or relevant field. 

• Five plus years progressive experience in a professional human resources capacity required, including five plus years of employee and labor relations experience. 

• Knowledge of relevant employment, EEO/AA and other applicable laws and regulations.

• ERP Experience (such as HR Acuity, SAP, etc.) desired.

• Ability to compile and effectively manage data.

• Understanding of the principles of service excellence and customer service and the ability to apply them in a demanding environment. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, Social Science, Public Administration, Industrial Relations, Law, Education, or a related field and minimum three (3-5) years’ experience in labor relations in a unionized environment. Additional equivalent work experience in a directly related field may be substituted for the degree requirement. Advanced degrees in the areas listed above may be substituted for years of experience. 

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or a related field preferred

• Two (2) years’ health care experience preferred 

• Two (2) years’ experience working cross-functionally across departments, functions, or business lines.  

• Knowledge of theory, methods and applications of contemporary employee relations, labor relations, conflict resolution and problem solving, diversity, grievance processes, EEO/AA, FASAP (employee assistance programs), etc. 

• Effective problem-solving skills to analyze issues and create appropriate action plans. 

• Ability to work with highly diverse populations, at all levels of the institution. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) required. 

• Must understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and working with highly sensitive information. 

License/Certification/Registration Requirements

Human Resources Professional Certification (SHRM CP or PHR) preferred. 

Ages of Patients Served

NA

Salary Range:

$57.75 - $86.62 USD Hourly

The Physical Requirements and Working Conditions of this job are available.  El Camino Health will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability if that will allow them to perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so creates an undue hardship for the hospital, or causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace which cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation.

Sedentary Work - Duties performed mostly while sitting; walking and standing at times. Occasionally lift or carry up to 10 lbs. Uses hands and fingers. - (Physical Requirements-United States of America)

An Equal Opportunity Employer:
El Camino Health seeks and values a diverse workforce. The organization is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of qualifications and competencies. El Camino Health prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, ancestry, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status, age, medical condition or any other status protected by law. In addition to state and federal law, El Camino Health also follows all applicable fair and equitable employment policies from the County of Santa Clara.