Employee Relations Manager Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Position Summary

The Senior Employee Relations Manager (SERM) plays a key role in creating a positive, fair, and compliant workplace environment for all employees (team members). This individual will be a visible and approachable resource for team members, helping to resolve concerns with empathy, fairness, and discretion. The role involves managing and resolving complex team member relations issues, conducting thorough investigations, and ensuring alignment with organizational policies, legal requirements, and Collington's core values.

The Senior Employee Relations Manager will be a strategic partner in proactively addressing team member concerns, supporting an effective performance management system, and helping cultivate an inclusive and respectful workplace culture.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Coaching and Development

• Coach and provide training and support to department managers on effective communication and conflict resolution techniques.
• Serve as a point of contact for team member concerns, mediate conflicts, and ensure a positive work environment.

Workplace Investigations

• Lead the investigation process, including tracking and maintaining accurate documentation and developing comprehensive plans to drive timely closure.
• Conduct thorough, unbiased investigations into team member complaints, harassment, potential violations of organizational policies, and workplace conflicts in accordance with organizational policies and federal/state regulations, ensuring consistent and equitable outcomes.

Policy Compliance and Interpretation

• Interpret and apply organizational policies, procedures, and labor laws to ensure fair and consistent handling of workplace matters.
• Support policy development and updates to align with best practices and state/federal requirements.

Team Member Engagement

• The SERM serves as the point of contact for team members and assists in navigating the team member life cycle.
• Develop and implement engagement initiatives to enhance morale and retention.

Benefits

• Manage workplace accident reporting and workers’ compensation process.
• Point of contact for team members for interpretation and understanding of FMLA/STD/LTD use of such benefits.

Data Analysis

• Use data and analytics to identify workplace trends and inform of recommendations.
• Develop and maintain an HR Dashboard to include data analytics and produce quarterly reports to track metrics.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication/interpersonal skills, including excellent active listening and critical thinking skills to determine issues and to formulate appropriate questions.
• Demonstrated ability to use good judgment and accountability to maintain credibility.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and handle difficult, sensitive matters and team members effectively and fairly while maintaining the integrity of the organization's policies and procedures.
• Proven extensive knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation, and ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of the applicable laws.
• Demonstrated knowledge of how to structure and conduct employee investigations
• Demonstrated presentation and project management skills.
• Ability to remain calm, tactful, and persuasive in confrontational situations.
• Detail-oriented and self-motivated, with strict attention to deadlines and details.
• Ability to be proactive, take direction, and establish ownership of projects.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and interact with all levels of team members.
• Ability to research and interpret data.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation(s) will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

1. Must be able to stand and walk both short and long distances.
2. Must be capable of sitting in front of a computer for several hours each day.
3. Must be able to lift and/or carry objects that weigh less than 20 pounds.
4. May occasionally require evening and weekend hours for events and meetings.

We also offer the following benefits:
- A comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability Plans
- 403 (b) Tax-Deferred Retirement Savings Plan
- Vacation, Sick Leave, Birthday & Holiday Pay
- Employee Assistant Program
- Scholarship opportunities

Salary: Up to $119,000/year based on experience.