Employee Relations Partner

Locations: Buffalo, NY; Wilmington, DE; Bridgeport, CT

About the role

Serve as a subject matter expert on employee relations matters and be responsible for delivering high-quality and effective employee relations solutions to a line of business and/or geographic territory. Resolve problems, address and assist in the investigation of employee and regulatory complaints, coach managers and employees to achieve resolution of issues, and ensure the uniform and equitable application of organization policies and procedures while adhering to appropriate regulations.

Apply exceptional HR expertise as part of the Employee Relations team to provide enterprise-wide ER solutions through consulting with leaders, managers, and employees on complex issues relating to the work environment. Utilize outstanding technical skills in mediation, critical incident management, and organization intervention.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert on employee relations matters with significant impact.
• Participate in senior-level HR projects and work with senior-level management to adjudicate high-level, complex ER issues.
• Deliver high-quality decisions and counsel to managers and employees with general oversight from an ER manager.
• Identify and analyze employee relations matters and recommend appropriate employment action to maintain a productive work environment, achieve optimal performance, and minimize risk to the Bank.
• Administer the Bank’s Performance Expectations and Corrective Action Policy in consultation with line managers and under the general supervision of an ER Manager.
• Use judgment based on experience and circumstances to accelerate Corrective Action as appropriate.
• Decide when termination of employment is appropriate and oversee the termination process in accordance with Bank practices.
• Prepare documentation and enter into applicable systems consistent with bank standards and practices.
• Counsel managers on Corrective Action, highlighting legal requirements and ramifications.
• Participate in EEOC/Human Rights/Wage and Hour regulatory complaints and represent the Bank at investigative conferences, unemployment hearings, and meetings.
• Interpret the employee handbook and counsel employees and managers as needed.
• Receive complaints, conduct investigations, assist the Investigations Team, recommend and resolve problems, and counsel employees.
• Counsel employees on conduct issues, including disputes with co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, or management, financial problems, illness or disability, and performance matters.
• Facilitate dispute resolutions.
• Conduct presentations and trainings on employee relations topics for employees and management.
• Support, develop, revise, and sometimes oversee training programs on Bank policy, sexual harassment, legal issues, performance management, and other topics.
• Identify possible alternatives, resolutions, and/or solutions for employee relations matters requiring intervention.
• Work collaboratively with other HR Centers of Excellence to ensure Employee Relations perspectives are represented.
• Generate reporting, communications, and presentations on Employee Relations topics including performance management, progressive discipline, and investigations history.
• Serve as a mentor for Employee Relations Specialists and less experienced Employee Relations Partners.
• Support the exit interview process, analyze results, and follow up with appropriate individuals.
• Interpret inquiries regarding Bank policies and procedures and report policy issues to corporate Employee Relations.
• Stay informed on developments in employee relations, wages and salaries, employee benefits, recruitment, and equal opportunity.
• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies, and controls.
• Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.
• Promote a work environment that supports engagement and belonging, reflecting the M&T brand and values.
• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibilities

The incumbent has significant impact to ensure workplace productivity, support the Bank's ability to maintain a high-performing workforce through performance management, and mitigate risk from regulatory action or civil litigation by ensuring consistent policy and procedure application within a line of business to safeguard fair employment practices.

The incumbent interacts with many levels of personnel within the bank and acts as a bank representative in external venues including unemployment hearings and regulatory meetings.

Serve as a mentor for Employee Relations Specialists and less experienced Employee Relations Partners and as a subject matter expert for servicing a line of business.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications) and 5 or more years of relevant work experience OR, in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 9 years of higher education and work experience.
• Experience consulting on ER issues and conducting and leading investigations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel, including overnight travel, as needed.
• Outstanding interpersonal, analytical, influencing, writing, and mediation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and work with agility in a dynamic, changing, and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Proven ability to be self-motivated, well-organized, and constantly learning.

Preferred Qualifications

• HR generalist, employee relations, or internal business line manager with significant people management experience.
• Understanding of employment law, including general interpretation and application.
• SHRM CP or PHR certification.
• Experience mentoring or leading others.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $89,600.00 - $149,300.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.