UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company that’s dedicated to improving the health outcomes of millions around the world. We are comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, working to build a better health system for all. Here, your contributions matter as they will help transform health care for years to come. Make an impact with a diverse team that shares your passion for helping others. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
The Employee Relations Consultant - Puerto Rico (“ER Consultant”) will join an experienced, collaborative team of employee relations professionals, supporting Optum Global Advantage employees located in Puerto Rico. This newly created role is intended to ensure Employee Relations support for the growing Puerto Rico OGA business; the ER Consultant will report up through the UHG Corporate Employee Relations team, which supports the United States and Puerto Rico employee populations.
The ER Consultant will be responsible for supporting business leaders and employees across a broad spectrum of workplace issues, from straightforward to complex, including fact finding, policy interpretation, performance management advice and guidance, review of employee complaints, internal dispute resolution (IDR), and will participate in shaping appropriate Employee Relations foundations training content on Handling ER Issues and Navigating the Corrective Action Process for the Puerto Rico population in partnership with ER leadership and relevant stakeholders (e.g., Employment Law).
The ER Consultant will leverage their expertise in Employee Relations and sound HR practices to provide effective, timely coaching, consultation, and advice to leaders, employees, and People Business Partner(s) to facilitate resolution of issues and help enable leaders to establish and maintain positive employee relations practices. The role will also help ensure consistent and equitable application of enterprise policies and procedures while appropriately adhering to all applicable laws and regulations.
The ER Consultant will also partner with the US ER Investigations team, within the Enterprise Corporate Compliance function, in managing cases involving allegations of Workplace Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and/or Retaliation.
There may be times where the ER Consultant will partner with US-Based ER Case Managers and/or US ER Leadership, as appropriate, where cases involve complex issues and/or more senior level employees/leaders as needed. Further, this role may be required to provide local support in the event of any Puerto Rico downsizing initiatives under direction from ER Leadership and ER Case Managers overseeing the downsizing event.
Primary Responsibilities
- Partners with Employee Relations Associate Directors, Employee Relations Case Managers, Employee Relations Leadership, Disability & Leave Services (DLS), ER Investigations Team, and the People Business team, influencing with aim to establish a positive workplace culture and enable and empower leaders and employees to create and maintain a positive employee relations culture.
- Independently manage employee relations cases, including escalated and complex cases initiated by managers and employees typically in entry to mid-level roles; may also manage cases involving senior level employees/leaders as needed and will partner with US ER Case Managers and/or US ER Leadership as appropriate. Responsible for timely, accurate case documentation in the ER Case Management tool.
- Consults with ER colleagues and ER leadership and, where appropriate, with People Business Team, for insights and for case handling and any applicable precedent; responsible for accurate and timely analysis of various types of data and information to meet deadlines and commitments, while managing a full caseload and ensuring cases are documented in the case management system. Provides performance, disciplinary, and termination guidance and counsel to managers while following the appropriate case escalation and notification guidelines based on the subject matter.
- Listens to understand and asks appropriate questions to clarify facts, understand issues and works toward positive resolution; collaborates and consults with others as appropriate prior to recommending course of action. Completes research from all available resources for due diligence with aim to mitigate risk and ensure proper case handling.
- Provide Employee Relations support to the Puerto Rico-based management population which may involve conducting in-person training and interviews, attending and participating in on-site meetings, assisting with on-site employee sensing as capacity allows; this may be done in partnership with People Team or Labor Relations in certain instances.
- Provides leadership to and is accountable for the consistent application of policies and procedures which impact the organization. Uses sound business judgment to minimize the risk to the organization while directing management level staff on appropriate workplace practices.
- Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Puerto Rico policies, legal requirements, and norms. Maintains current knowledge of new laws and regulations. Partners with Employment Law in interpreting applicable laws and regulations (e.g., Act 80).
- Effectively collaborates with the People Business Partner that supports the OG Advantage Puerto Rico business locally, the on-site Corporate Security Director, US Employment Law (including Puerto Rico) outside counsel and other internal stakeholders in managing complex Employee Relations issues.
- Ensure timely handling of any time sensitive “One Breaths” within UHG protocol for the Puerto Rico employee population, partnering with other Centers of Excellence, SMEs as appropriate.
- Assist Employee Relations Leadership in identifying process improvements for the employee relations functions, contributing to innovative solutions, and make recommendations regarding policies and procedures.
- Other duties responsibilities may be assigned in furtherance of the ER support model.
- ENGLISH PROFICIENT ASSESSMENT WILL BE REQUIRED AFTER APPLICATION.
Required Qualifications
- 6+ years of experience in employee relations or equivalent HR experience.
- Proven solid knowledge of Puerto Rico employment laws and regulations.
- Experience conducting investigations/fact finding and resolving employee relations issues.
- Ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines and commitments.
- Ability to work independently while working within guidelines and established protocols.
- Professional proficiency in both English and Spanish.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- Proven solid analytical and decision-making skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Proven solid problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.
- Adept at navigating a large organization with a fast-paced environment.
- Computer proficiency, Windows PC and web applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, etc.)
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, a related field or equivalent experience.
- Experience working with ServiceNow or similar case management software.
- Eye for process improvement and openness to new technologies (e.g., AI) within UHG guidelines and established ER and People Team processes.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age,
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