Employee Relations and HR Policy Development Officer  

Main Duties and Responsibilities

I. Employee Relations

• Serves as primary point of contact for employee concerns and issues with fellow employees (i.e. employee to employee, and/or employee to supervisor & vice-versa)
• Conducts research on best practices in conflict resolution and management, and alternative dispute resolution methods, including mediation and conciliation, to support a just, fair and effective employee relations
• Receives and assesses concerns to determine if immediate resolution may be provided or if further guidance is needed, in consultation with the appropriate HR leadership team

II. Union Relations

• Builds and maintains relationships with the Union by serving as the primary liaison between the University and the Union to ensure clear communication and effective coordination with relevant clusters, schools, departments, and offices
• Provides administrative and logistical support for Labor Management Committee/HR-Admin Partners meetings, Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations, and grievance conferences
• Maintains, monitors, and regularly updates the tracker for union membership, Union leave requests, approved and disapproved Union leaves, communications, and official memoranda to ensure proper documentation and accessibility
• Issues official notices of Union Membership to newly regularized employees whose positions fall under the CBA, ensuring compliance with labor agreements

III. Policy Development Functions

• Keeps abreast with HR-related legislation, industry best practices, regulatory changes, and updates on HR systems and processes within the University
• Consolidates, formats, and reviews HR policies that were drafted by subject matter experts from the appropriate office, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and institutional guidelines
• Works with the Health, Care, and Well-being subcluster under the Mission Integration cluster and the Occupational Safety and Health Committee in drafting, reviewing, and updating policies related to employee health in compliance with government regulations and in ensuring the employee wellness and well-being
• Conducts evaluation studies on university policies and collaborates with the offices under the HR Cluster to gather data on compliance and relevance, provides recommendations on improving the content of the policy and the implementation process

IV. Information and Education Campaign Program Support

• Assists in creating a roadmap for the Information and Education Campaign programs related to HR policies and government regulations, employee and union relations, in collaboration with the different offices and concerned university units
• Provides logistical and administrative support in the implementation of IEC programs
• Works with the University Marketing and Communications Office in informing, communicating, and educating the community on HR policies, employee-relations matters, and union-related updates and agreements

V. Section Management Support

• Assists in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of Section activities and resources to ensure alignment with the goals of the Office
• Tracks communications with the university’s legal retainer for matters/issues submitted for legal advice to ensure that all queries are properly addressed
• Monitors and tracks deadlines, deliverables, and compliance with Section’s action plans
• Assists other sections and offices during peak seasons
• Provides support to university events and committee works

VI. Performs other work-related tasks as may be required by the immediate supervisor and authorized representative.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Labor and Data Privacy Laws: Strong understanding of labor laws, data privacy regulations, and other relevant government mandates to ensure compliance and best practices in HR governance
• Knowledge of Employee and Union Relations Management: Experience in handling employee relations, including engagement with unions, grievance management, and conflict resolution
• Policy Writing and Implementation Skills: Proficiency in drafting, reviewing, and implementing HR policies to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and legal requirements
• Needs Assessment and Data Analysis: Ability to conduct assessments through data gathering, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and evaluations to determine the best course of action
• Critical and Analytical Thinking: Capable of identifying patterns, assessing the broader impact of actions on systems and processes, analyzing data, and formulating well-informed recommendations
• Project Management Skills: Skilled in managing concurrent projects, ensuring accuracy, organization, and adherence to timelines
• Adaptability Skills: Open to continuous learning, capable of navigating ambiguity, and able to respond effectively to unexpected situations
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information across various platforms and tailor messaging for different stakeholders
• Innovation and Change Management: Ability to propose and implement innovative solutions, collaborate with stakeholders, and drive organizational improvements
• Stakeholder Engagement and Negotiation Skills: Excellent interpersonal, partnership-building, and negotiation skills to foster productive working relationships across different levels
• Technological Savvy: Advanced knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio, for documentation, analysis, and reporting
• Interpersonal and Rapport-Building Skills: Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Facilitation and Discussion Management: Skilled in leading discussions, ensuring productive conversations, and fostering engagement
• Documentation and Meeting Coordination: Proficient in taking minutes, summarizing discussions, and preparing comprehensive reports and documentation

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Any Bachelor’s Degree; a degree in legal management is an advantage
• With at least two (2) years-experience in handling employee relations
• With at least two (2) years-experience in handling CBA negotiations
• With at least two (2) years-experience in policy development