Senior Associate, Employee Relations

at  New York Life Insurance Co

Location Designation: Hybrid - 3 days per week
When you join New York Life, you’re joining a company that values career development, collaboration, innovation, and inclusiveness. We want employees to feel proud about being part of a company that is committed to doing the right thing. You’ll have the opportunity to grow your career while developing personally and professionally through various resources and programs. New York Life is a relationship-based company and appreciates how both virtual and in-person interactions support our culture.
The Senior Associate, Employee Relations will join a great team of HR professionals responsible for providing guidance on and directly handling employee relations matters with a focus on balancing business need and organizational risk. In addition, responsibilities include assisting in the design of employee related policies that are compliant with the law and align to best practices, investigating complaints, and cultivating a positive and productive work environment. The team is a strategic partner to business leaders and advises managers on various areas including policy matters, performance management, corrective action, and job impacts.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Strong knowledge and facility for interpreting and communicating employment laws and HR policy.
• Strong investigative skills.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify needs/issues quickly.
• Detail oriented with very strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as a valuable partner with all levels of management.
• Strong relationship building skills and collaborative style.
• Excellent time management, planning, and organizational skills.

• Provide consultative expertise for employee relations matters.
• With support of HR Business Partners (HRBPs), advise and support managers in performance management, corrective action, attendance, and disciplinary matters, including reviewing termination recommendations.
• Respond to and investigate employee complaints submitted directly to HR or through the Company’s Ethics Hotline, including leading investigations of basic workplace disputes and assisting in investigations of more sensitive matters.
• Partner with Leave Coordinators, third-party leave administrator and HRBPs on leaves and accommodations issues and serve as subject matter expert/escalation point on more complex matters.
• Serve as the expert on our case management tool, HR Acuity. Includes ensuring cases are entered in a timely manner, preparing quarterly reports for compliance, training the HRBPs on the system, and managing the relationship with the vendor.
• Serve as the records coordinator for Employee Relations.
• Calculate severance payments for job eliminations and work with Legal and Benefits to prepare packages for notification discussions.
• Design and enhance employee related policies that are compliant with federal, state and local laws. Update the Employee Handbook as needed.
• Act as key point person to respond to policy questions, provide clarification on ER processes, and communicate policy updates to the appropriate audience.
• Handle special projects as needed.