HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER FOR EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

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Company: University of Washington

Location: Seattle, WA 98115

Description:

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER FOR EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

Housing & Food Services (HFS) supports over 10,000 student residents and operates 40+ dining locations on campus. With a team of over 1,200 staff and students, HFS is dedicated to enhancing student life through teamwork and excellent service.

In Housing & Food Services, our DEI statement reads: HFS will become an organization that prioritizes inclusive workplace communities, centered on belonging and opportunity for all staff. All HFS staff must accept responsibility to identify and interrupt biases, privilege, barriers, and power dynamics. We challenge ourselves to engage in open dialogue, active listening, and empathic learning.

POSITION PURPOSE

Support HFS by providing a high-level of customer service in consulting with and guiding managers, supervisors and employees in navigating employee relations issues including performance, policies and processes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Employee Relations:

  • Interpret, provide guidance and advise managers on UW Administrative Policy Statements, UW Human Resources policies and collective bargaining unit agreements
  • Provide guidance and counsel to managers on proactive methods for assessing and addressing employee performance concerns, including the process for documenting and escalating concerns
  • Manage the annual performance review process including, training staff and supervisors, developing forms and ensuring compliance with timelines
  • Analyze and track performance evaluations and consult with supervisors to ensure areas for performance improvement and/or development are addressed
  • Conduct classified corrective action meetings and formal counseling and final counseling meetings
  • Serve as a resource for just-in-time coaching and support for managers and supervisors
  • Represent HFS in union grievances and provide consultation on effective resolution
  • Identify recurring needs for standardized correspondence and develop and maintain templates that reflect a DEI lens. Examples include correspondence, corrective action documents, monthly reports
  • Maintain reports and documentation for areas of responsibility
  • Ensure that the appropriate level of editorial review, including a DEI lens, is completed for outbound and/or published materials.
  • Provide consultation and advisement to unit leaders on best practices for organizational effectiveness
  • Proactively identify and recommend opportunities for streamlining processes and increasing efficiency and efficacy.
  • Provide consultation to supervisors on employee development
  • Provide consultation to employees seeking guidance on professional development
    Leadership and Development:
  • Identify, articulate and model values and behaviors that support an organizational culture characterized as inclusive, positive, productive and committed to serving staff and students.
  • Maintain relationships with internal and campus colleagues and stakeholders to foster collaboration and maintain regular feedback loops to ensure awareness of their concerns, policies and/or legal constraints.
  • Lead and/or participate on HFS cross-functional teams, committees and projects
  • Prepare and/or present training
  • Complete and execute an annual personal development plan to maintain subject-matter currency
    Leaves of Absence:
  • Liaise with UW Human Resources Consultant and UW Risk Management on leaves of absence due to work injury/illness and/or extended leaves of absence to ensure UWHR approvals are current.
  • Serve as a resource for employees who have questions about their leaves.
  • Manage the reasonable accommodation process and L&I return-to-work program
  • Represent HFS on L&I-related Risk Management teams and committees
  • Monitor expiring leaves and take action as needed to facilitate the extensions and medical separations
    IMPACT TO THE UNIVERSITY
    Effective support of managers in coaching and counseling staff promotes improved performance and retention of staff and reduces risk associated with complaints and grievances.
    POSITION COMPLEXITIES
    Serving and advising management with diverse lines of business in a complex organizational structure that receives advisement from central University Human Resources, Risk Management and Labor Relations.
    WORKING CONDITIONS
    Position works weekday office hours with occasional evening and/or weekends to participate in special events. Work is time sensitive and requires maintaining focus while expediting high-quality work products.
    SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES
    Position does not supervise.
    REPORTS TO
    Director
    MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
    A bachelor's degree in education, human resources or other related field and three years of experience that demonstrates success in employee relations work including:
  • Interpretation and application of bargaining unit contracts
  • Participation in grievances and complaint procedures
  • Writing and editing performance management documentation
  • Maintaining supporting records for work activities
  • Objectivity in approaching complaints and problem solving
  • Facilitating resolution of conflict
  • Accurate interpretation of federal and state employment law and employer policies and procedures
  • Demonstration of interpersonal skills that reflect an understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion through sensitivity and responsiveness to a variety of perspectives and lived experiences.
  • Interpersonal and interviewing skills that demonstrate the ability to understand and fulfill the needs of supervisors and managers
  • Support of organizational change, including advising leadership on impacts and strategies that promote employee retention and engagement
  • Clear, empathetic and respectful written and oral communications
  • Successful composition and editing of documents for publication.
  • Effective use of Microsoft applications includes Word, Excel, SharePoint, Word and Teams; use of Workday or a comparable HRIS; Google Docs.
  • Ability to work effectively as a team member in shared and remote environments
  • An approach to work that fosters credibility and collaboration.
  • Flexibility to respond to changing priorities with an active, constructive and appropriate approach.
    Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
    Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
    Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
    The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
    To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at [redacted] or [redacted].
    Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
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