Sr. Specialist, Human Resources

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Mitigate risk for the company and drive engagement by managing timely response to associate concerns raised through the Open Door channels. Execute prompt, timely, thorough and proactive response to Alertlines, 3rd Party Charges, Associate correspondence, Social Media or any actionable trends identified through Case Management requiring on-site and/or remote investigative activity. Coach and counsel field/store management on managing associate relations issues as needed. Facilitate Deep Dive Climate Surveys and Town Hall Meetings in response to Associate Engagement results or requests from field leaders based on climate trends. Monitor, validate and ensure compliance with internal HR policies and procedures as well as external local, state and federal laws. Work with HR Services team and legal partners to provide documentation, reports or investigative case files or records as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Associate Relations:

• Conduct on-site/remote investigations as assigned by the Associate Relations Case Manager identified through Case Management, Alertline, 3rd Party, Social Media, Associate correspondence or other vehicles.
• Enter case notes and supporting documentation from investigations into Case Management system daily and in timely/thorough manner – no later than 24 hours from closure date.
• Work closely with HR Services team to ensure cross functional sharing of activities and outcomes.
• Together with support team, run reporting and provide related documents such as associate files, compliance sign offs, etc. to assist in the gathering of documents for 3rd Party claims, DOL claims or other agency / attorney charges. Conduct investigations as needed for further case closure.
• Respond on site as necessary to any crisis situations working with RISC and 3rd Party – Magellan.
• Conduct Deep Dive Climate Survey’s for all Bottom 10% stores identified through the Associate Engagement Survey. Disseminate findings to appropriate business partners and build in follow up touch points to monitor progress and validate execution.
• Track and maintain both TRUE Survey Deep Dive Climate Surveys and TRUE Survey Action Plans by Zone/District.
• Work with business partners to create action plan that is specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time bound with appropriate accountability for failing to remedy associate engagement opportunities.
• Lead First Responder process.
• Monitor that stores are proactively executing a union avoidance culture and are responding with a sense of urgency to any union organizing campaign or suspicion of attempt once discovered.
• Advise on Corrective Action Guideline adherence and counsel Store Management on policy violation disciplinary action to ensure consistency.
• Interpret personnel policy. Assist Field Leadership in redirecting associates when necessary, formulating action plans with managers when potential associate problems are identified.
• Stay abreast of local, state and federal AR related legislation. Inform appropriate leaders; make recommendations for training and the cascading information to the affected population.

Compliance:

• Immediately respond (within 48 hours – 24 for Harassment) to all case management, 3rd Party charges or phone calls relating to Associate relations allegations.
• Final Pay and Effective Scheduling compliance within guidelines.
• Recommend follow up on appropriate disciplinary action for repeat compliance issues.
• Maintain monthly reporting to drive execution with compliance related items.
• Meet HR budget expectations.

Government Regulations:

• Research and document any state or federal agency complaints, and coordinate response with legal counsel.
• Stay abreast of regional, state, or federal statute changes which may affect company policy/procedure.
• Coordinate with unemployment tax consultant as necessary, regarding state unemployment claims – appear on behalf of the company when needed.
• Coordinate and/or participate in Department of Labor claim hearings when necessary.
• Conduct or follow up on ADA regulations and Interactives to ensure we remain compliant.

Training:

• Assist in evaluating Human Resource training needs based on trends identified from analytics.
• Coach and counsel field / store management on managing associate relations issues.
• Follow up on training topics to ensure consistency. Monitor and measure success of programs.
• Conduct training workshops and seminars as needed.
• Develop self by staying abreast of HR techniques and trends.

Analysis / Research:

• Recommend human resource policy and procedural changes to corporate in response to changing needs or trends.
• Assess needs regarding training, benefits, wages, labor and associate relations and communicate recommendations to business partners.
• Initiate analysis / reports / statistical data which may affect stores’ human resource performance and/or related business initiatives.

Liaison to Corporate Office / Field:

• Provide guidance to field leadership as needed in implementing and communicating personnel, compensation, and benefit policies and procedures.
• Act as liaison between district, zone and regional offices for training, benefits, labor, and associate relations needs.
• Work with Subject Matter Experts to communicate trends identified through call center, case management, etc. and create action plan to address. (Training / Communication, etc.)

Special projects and other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES:

• Problem Solving
• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Approachability
• Decision Quality
• Composure
• Integrity and Trust
• Communication
• Conflict Management
• Listening
• Administration

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED:

• 60-70% travel required
• 3-5 years multi-unit retail HR experience
• Wicklander or related Investigations Training preferred
• Knowledge of EFCA/NLRB related issues a plus
• Degree(s) in Business Administration, Organization Development, Human Resources or other related field preferred
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, facilitation, analytical, organizational and communications skills required
• Working knowledge of PowerPoint, Excel, Word and Outlook