Employee Relations Specialist

To learn more about how Willamette Dental Group is keeping our employees safe, please visit https://willamettedental.com/safety/ Provide consultation and guidance to management and employees on a variety of employee related issues, including performance management, corrective counseling, policy interpretation and investigations. Recommend appropriate action and partners with management and others to investigate and resolve complex HR issues. Ensure compliance with all applicable policies, laws, and regulations. May lead and/or participate in HR related projects. Essential Position Functions: Consult with managers and employees on a variety of workplace issues, including performance management, misconduct, interpersonal conflict/relationship issues, discrimination complaints, investigations, legal requirements and policy interpretation. Partner with management and employees to review and evaluate sensitive and challenging situations and recommend appropriate actions to correct concerns based on assessing risks and minimizing liability. Review and provide recommendations on employee terminations to ensure fair and consistent practices that comply with state and federal laws, policies, procedures and standard management practices. Conduct investigations into allegations of harassment, discrimination, policy violations as well as employee concerns and complaints and recommends appropriate action. Analyze trends and recommend solutions to support continuous improvement, including developing the skills managers need to help minimize employee relations issues. Build partnerships and consult effectively with leadership. Non-Essential Position Functions: Provide advice and guidance in the interpretation and application of Company policies, practices and procedures. Lead/participate in HR related projects. Job Qualifications J.D. degree from an accredited law school and experience performing employee relations activities preferred. Knowledge of: Federal and state employment law and emerging industry trends. Multiple HR disciplines to include staffing and recruiting, talent development, performance management, training and development; compensation, federal/state employment laws. Skill in: Interpersonal, verbal and written communication. Must have the ability to communicate effectively, influence others, facilitate processes and coach/advise managers and employees. Excellent critical thinking, analytical, problem solving and decision making skills. Ability to: Build and maintain collaborative and effective working relationships at all levels of the organization. Exercise sound judgment in resolving unique ER related problems that arise in the business. Handle highly sensitive and confidential information relating to HR. Relate to others in a respectful, constructive manner. • Embrace and promote company’s model of practicing dentistry. Uphold and exemplify the company’s core values. Represent the company in a professional manner to customers, employer groups, brokers, professional associations, and the public. Additional qualifications: Current government mandates require full COVID vaccination status, or lawful exemption status, for all persons, including student externs, who will be working or present in an Oregon or Washington health care facility. A pending federal government mandate may require other individuals to attain full COVID vaccination status, lawful exemption status or weekly COVID testing. These rules will be implemented as required by the law. Quarantine may be required for persons working or present in a health care facility, experiencing signs or symptoms of COVID infection or after being exposed to someone who is COVID positive. Willamette Dental follows requirements and precautions for COVID issued by OSHA, CDC and other agencies of the state and federal governments. Company Overview We provide: A stable, dentist-owned private company with an eye on the future. Excellent benefits including: Paid time off 401k $1 for $1 match up to 5% of your compensation or the IRS limit for 401(k) contributions, whichever comes first Medical, dental, life and disability insurances Tuition reimbursement A culture of inclusivity and respect in line with our core values of health, compassion, innovation and integrity. Supportive community outreach dollars and encouragement to volunteer. Thorough employee orientation and onboarding. We are: A provider and employer of choice in the Northwest for 50 years. Dental insurance + providers in over 50 general and specialty offices in OR, WA and ID. Dedicated to proactive care to facilitate the best possible outcomes. Willamette Dental Group is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status and other protected characteristics. This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position’s scope and function in the company. This position may be exposed to PHI in the course of his/her duties, and will handle protected information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).