Senior Employee Relations Specialist (Hybrid)

Are you looking for a career opportunity working for a healthcare organization that is based on excellence and love?

ChristianaCare is one of the country's most dynamic healthcare organizations, centered on improving health outcomes, making high-quality care more accessible, and lowering healthcare costs. ChristianaCare includes an extensive network of outpatient services, home health care, urgent care centers, three hospitals (1,299 beds), a free-standing emergency department, a Level I trauma center and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a comprehensive stroke center and regional centers of excellence in heart and vascular care, cancer care, and women's health. It also includes the pioneering Gene Editing Institute and was rated by IDG Computerworld as one of the nation's Best Places to Work in IT. ChristianaCare is a nonprofit teaching health system with more than 260 residents and fellows. It is continually ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the Best Hospital. With the unique CareVio data-powered care coordination service and a focus on population health and value-based care, ChristianaCare is shaping the future of health care.

ChristianaCare Offers…

• Full Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, etc.
• Two retirement planning offerings, including 403(b) with company contributions
• Generous paid time off with annual roll-over and opportunities to cash out
• 12-week paid parental leave
• Incredible Work/Life benefits including annual membership to care.com, access to backup care services for dependents through Care@Work, retirement planning services, financial coaching, fitness and wellness reimbursement, and great discounts through several vendors for hotels, rental cars, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movie tickets and much more!

About This Position

ChristianaCare is searching for a Senior Employee Relations Specialist to be a strategic partner and subject matter expert responsible for providing advanced guidance and leadership on complex employee relations matters. This role involves managing high-risk investigations, developing and implementing proactive employee relations strategies, and serving as a trusted advisor to all levels of leadership. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in employee relations, a deep understanding of employment law, and a proven ability to drive positive organizational change.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Employee Relations Management:

• Serve as a resource for addressing caregiver inquiries and concerns related to workplace policies, procedures, and practices, while positioning appropriate channels as the primary point of contact.
• Partner with managers to provide guidance, coaching, and support on performance management, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution.
• Mediate and resolve employee disputes and grievances in a fair, impartial, and consistent manner while ensuring appropriate resolution of individual caregiver issues.
• Identify trends from employee relations matters and share insights to inform strategies aimed at improving morale and engagement.
• Build and strengthen relationships with leadership to increase engagement with Employee Relations as a trusted partner in addressing workplace issues and supporting organizational effectiveness.
• Partner with Human Resource Business Partners and operational leaders to support business objectives, including change leadership, retention efforts, and enhancing employee engagement.
• Collaborate with business leaders to support reorganizations, providing expertise to ensure compliance and mitigate employee relations and legal risks.
• Promote labor relations awareness and education by providing guidance, training, and resources to leaders and caregivers.
• Foster positive employee relations by building collaborative partnerships with caregivers and leaders, proactively addressing workplace concerns, and enhancing leader readiness through coaching, guidance, and support

Investigations and Compliance:

• Conduct & Oversee employee investigations while partnering with managers to provide guidance, ensuring consistent, fair, and well-supported outcomes for all parties.
• Maintain knowledge of evolving labor laws and ensure compliance across the organization, while managing legal risk and handling third-party claims, hearings, and agency responses.
• Document all employee relations activities and caregiver inquiries within the ServiceNow case management system, ensuring accurate case records are maintained and all inquiries are resolved in accordance with established service level agreements (SLAs)
• Conduct exit interviews and analyze the data for trends and improvement opportunities.
• Partners with Legal, Compliance, and COEs on policy, investigations, and claims
• Responds to and attends Unemployment hearings.

Policy Development and Implementation:

• Develop, update, interpret, and communicate HR policies, and provide guidance and education to leaders to ensure consistent understanding and application.
• Develop and facilitate ER-related education and training for leaders, covering policies, investigations, legal requirements and people management risks throughout the organization.
• Stay up to date on changes in employment law and best practices.
• Partner with managers to implement caregiver action plans and ensure appropriate application of progressive discipline.

HR Collaboration:

• Act as the first level of escalation for Employee Relations Specialists, offering expert consultation, coaching, and direction on sensitive and complex employee relations issues.
• Serve as a mentor and trusted advisor to Employee Relations Specialists, supporting their growth in case management, investigations, conflict resolution, and stakeholder consultation.
• Participate in system survey readiness efforts, educate leaders and staff on HR compliance requirements
• Collaborate closely with HR partners, leveraging insights to promote consistent and aligned HR practices.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and execution of HR initiatives, programs, and projects to drive organizational objectives and enhance the overall caregiver and leader experience.
• Identify and lead employee relations process improvement initiatives.
• Support and coordinate return-to-work arrangements and accommodation requests by partnering with caregivers, leaders, HR, and relevant stakeholders to ensure timely, compliant, and effective workplace accommodation and transitional work solutions.
• Proactive partner with HR Business Partners (HRBPs) to develop and implement employee relations strategies that reduce risk, enhance caregiver morale, strengthen workplace culture, and improve retention.

Analytics

• Leverage data and metrics to identify ER trends, evaluate risk, and inform improvement opportunities and organizational needs.
• Proactively Identify opportunities to proactively address common employee relation issues
• Conducts need assessments to determine measures required to enhance employe job performance

OTHER

• Performs assigned work safely, adhering to established departmental safety rules and practices; reports to supervisor, in a timely manner, any unsafe activities, conditions, hazards, or safety violations that may cause injury to oneself, other employees, patients and visitors.
• Performs other related duties as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree or higher in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.  Master's degree preferred.  

5 years of progressive experience in employee relations, with a focus on complex investigations and strategic initiatives.

Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.

SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification strongly preferred.

Experience with a HRIS system.

Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Post End Date

EEO Posting Statement

ChristianaCare offers a competitive suite of employee benefits to maximize the wellness of you and your family, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement, an employee assistance program.  To learn more about our benefits for eligible positions visit https://careers.christianacare.org/benefits-compensation/