Employee Relations Specialist

Talascend is currently seeking an Employee Relations Specialist for an on-site, contract opportunity with our client in Arlington, Texas.

Overview

This role involves creating a personalized HR experience by supporting employees with questions, concerns, and engagement initiatives. The position requires partnering with employees, leaders, and HR stakeholders to deliver effective solutions, ensure compliance, and foster a positive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide a high-touch, personalized HR experience for employees by addressing questions, concerns, and engagement needs.
• Partner with employees and management to communicate HR policies, procedures, laws, standards, and government regulations, providing guidance as appropriate.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to employee management, helping reduce legal risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Partner with HR Policy Consultants and Legal on complex matters.
• Work closely with employees, Business HR, and managers to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention.
• Support complex employee relations issues and investigations in collaboration with the Policy & Investigation Center of Excellence (COE).
• Conduct exit interviews, analyze attrition trends, and develop recommendations for corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Identify leadership coaching needs and provide coaching support to leaders and employees.
• Partner with Business HR on talent management and development initiatives, providing data, analysis, and implementation support.
• Support onboarding activities in collaboration with People Leaders and Onboarding Buddies.
• Collaborate on employee compensation matters to ensure alignment with pay-for-performance principles and recognition programs.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and partner with COEs to enhance processes and outcomes.
• Maintain productive relationships with union officials and ensure compliance with labor agreements.
• Monitor and implement labor policies related to wages, hours, and working conditions.
• Investigate, respond to, and resolve grievances in accordance with labor contracts.
• Administer hourly and represented employee compensation and participate in negotiations as required.
• Support employee engagement initiatives, including diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, recognition programs, and other employee development efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3 to 4 years of HR and labor relations experience.
• Strong knowledge of HR policies, employment law, employee relations, and workplace practices.
• Experience supporting talent management, performance management, employee engagement, and leadership development initiatives.
• Proven labor relations experience, preferably working with the UAW in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent coaching, consulting, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships, influence stakeholders, and work effectively across all organizational levels.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the duties of this position through relevant experience, training, or education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on shop floor experience.
• Participation in or support of collective bargaining and contract negotiations.