Employee Relations Specialist

Job Title

Employee Relations Specialist

Job Description Summary

The Employee Relations Specialist consults with Cushman & Wakefield business managers, HR staff, and employees on Employee Relations matters and support the Employee Relations (ER) centralized team model. Key skills required to be successful in this role are exceptional communication skills–especially in a virtual environment, strong connection and relationship skills, action orientation and responsive mindset, and ability to write and document issues with clarity and precision.
This role will mainly focus on managing the escalated Leaves and Job Accommodation process, as well as investigate, consult, and lead on other ER matters. To be successful in this role, the Specialist will be required to have depth knowledge of the ADA, FMLA, the Interactive process, and other employment related law that may be applicable. This role reports to the ER Director.

Job Description

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Consult with and advise managers and HR staff on ER issues with a focus on escalated leaves of absence and accommodation requests.
• Solution for escalated Leave of Absence employment decisions and requests for workplace accommodations by facilitating and influencing discussions with manager, employee, Legal and Benefits.
• Work with employees and their managers to understand perspectives and to guide toward resolution of conflict or issues.
• Consult and coach managers on performance management best practices, including progressive performance management, improvement plans, exit strategies, and involuntary separations.
• Investigate standard internal employee complaints; review, consult, and provide recommendations to managers on employee misconduct issues. Make recommendations regarding appropriate level of corrective action or termination to HRPBs and management based on company policies and laws.
• Utilize Case Management tools to document and effectively manage ER cases.
• Provide input and insight on engagement efforts and remedies.
• Liaise and partner with Legal on high level, high risk, or highly complex issues and their resolution.
• Lead or assist in the creation and refinement of company-wide HR policies; collaborate and consult on non-HR policies.
• Coach, mentor, and train less experienced staff members.

Other Duties as Assigned or Requested:

• In partnership with ER Team to help create centralized ER function
• Participate in project work that supports the ER COE, the HR team, or other functions
• Occasional travel to other C&W locations to participate in meetings

Qualifications:

• 3 + years of progressive HR experience with ER or ADA/Leave of Absence experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in HR or related area, or equivalent experience
• Advanced degree preferred (MBA, Master’s in HR, law degree)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, Competencies:

• Seasoned and proven skills in managing a caseload of approximately 15 diverse cases including ADA/Leave of Absences, difficult ER situations, and Conflict Management
• Thorough knowledge of employment law and Human Resources in general
• Diagnostic and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Solid business intelligence
• Ability to build rapport with stakeholders and COE’s by influencing leaders and colleagues, skilled counselor, consultant, and facilitator
• Strong organization skills and project management skills
• Proficiency in MS Office. Knowledge of HRMS systems such as Workday

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.The compensation for the position is: $72,250.00 – $85,000.00Cushman & Wakefield provides equal employment opportunity. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated. Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email HRServices@cushwake.com. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.