Senior Employee Relations Specialist - PetVet Care Centers

*This role can be remote anywhere in California*

Company Overview: Headquartered in Westport, Connecticut; PetVet Care Centers is a nationwide veterinary network operating more than 450 general, specialty and emergency hospitals with over 10,500 employees. Each location is managed locally and supported globally through our connected network.  We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented individual to join our corporate team as an Employee Relations and Compliance Specialist.

Position Overview: Reporting to the Employee Relations Manager, we are seeking an Employee Relations and Compliance Specialist who will play a key role in supporting employee relations matters, ensuring compliance with company and regulatory policies and procedures, while promoting a culture of fairness, respect, and accountability within the organization. The Employee Relations and Compliance Specialist will also support the Employee Relations Manager in other employee and compliance workstreams, including process implementation, records maintenance and audit and investigation support and serve as  back up to the I-9 Compliance Specialist.

This employee will work remotely from California.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Supports investigations into employee complaints, conflicts, and disputes; maintaining confidentiality and impartiality throughout the process to ensure a fair and consistent resolution.
• Maintains awareness of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Partners with the Employee Relations Manager and Legal Department as needed/required.
• Identifies areas of risk/opportunity for improvement and develops and operationalizes mitigation plans.
• Researches and explains laws and legal affairs concerning employment to managers, supervisors, and employees.
• Administration of system to track and measure employee relations issues, enabling data driven decision-making and proactive management strategies.
• Provides guidance for interpreting and applying company policies and procedures.
• Assists in responding to audit requests; conducts mock audits as necessary.
• Performs continuous review and audit of HR policies and processes; makes recommendations for updates.
• Primary contact for compliance related to employee files, workplace posters, and employment eligibility.

• Partners with Regional HR Managers and Leaves function to lead return to work and reasonable accommodation process.
• Acts as backup to I-9 Compliance Specialist when necessary.
• Assists with other HR, Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition and Legal duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree

Prior Employee Relations and HR Compliance experience

Additional education may substitute for required experience

Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or related field; 2-5 years' experience in Employee Relations and HR Compliance. Extensive experience in investigations, including interrogation and report writing.  Broad knowledge of California specific employment laws.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Must possess exceptional attention to detail and deadlines.
• Must problem solve independently on a daily basis. Sound and consistent judgment is essential perform the essential functions of the position.
• Must possess excellent and mature interpersonal skills to deal with a group of diverse clients from different countries, backgrounds, socioeconomic status, educational background, etc.
• Must be an outstanding team player.
• Must remain calm and focused under stressful situations.
• Must be able to adapt to an extremely dynamic work environment as priorities change.
• Must be able to anticipate change as well as adapt professionally.
• Must possess and continually develop interpersonal skills and professional development.
• Must be able to represent the organization positively at all times.
• Must have ability to travel occasionally to PetVet Care Centers locations within the US and headquarters in Westport, CT.

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