Employee Relations Consultant

We are currently looking for a full-time Employee Relations Consultant to join our team as we embark on a strategic initiative to shift the Employee Relations team from a proactive escalation point to being a proactive center of excellence. This role will primarily support AMER and LATAM (US/Canada/Mexico/Brazil) but will also have opportunities to be involved with issues and initiatives across Zendesk’s global footprint.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Establishing and maintaining an in depth knowledge of labor laws and employee relations practices across AMER and LATAM regions  to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements 

• Providing advice and counsel across the business on topics ranging from performance management, conflict resolution, policy and procedure interpretation, reductions in workforce and alignment with local employment law requirement

• Conducting investigations and resolving other sensitive employee relations issues across all levels of the company

• Partnering with the employment legal team and other key partners (ie; HRBPs) as needed on case matters

• Independently managing assigned ER casework to completion

• Analyzing and identifying ER trends to proactively provide recommendations to the business to address and mitigate issues

• Ensuring application of company policies and procedures in a consistent and equitable manner

• Using  mediation, facilitation, influencing, and coaching skills to support managers and employees with early dispute resolution as needed

• Providing support and guidance with regards to workplace accommodations

• Participating in ad-hoc HR projects (e.g. Rewards cycle, global HR initiatives)

• Continually looking to grow and improve the ER function for the organization 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Outstanding interpersonal skills exemplified by great communication (written and oral) and a high EQ

• A phenomenal team player who knows how and when to collaborate to ensure success, and comfortable liaising with multiple levels of leadership, Legal, People Partners, and other stakeholders to get things done

• Ability to build and contribute to a positive, equitable, and transparent employee relations model

• Detail-oriented and excellent organizational skills. Accuracy is crucial

• Resourceful, self-motivated, and able to independently handle shifting workloads in a high-paced and constantly evolving environment. You know how to prioritize and deliver on opportunities

• Well-versed in federal employment law and able to look up relevant state legislation as needed.

Requirements:

• BS/BA degree preferred, with at least 3 years’ relevant employee relations experience, ideally focused employee relations, employment law, or HRBP/People Partner experiences;

• Experience in conducting workplace investigations into highly sensitive ER issues;

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills; comfortable with giving and receiving open, constructive feedback in a way that fosters trust and respect;

• Knowledge of leave and accommodations regulations in US

• Able to communicate succinctly with all levels of the organization.

• Outstanding judgment and ability to balance the needs of the company, managers and employees.

Hybrid: In this role, our hybrid experience is designed at the team level to give you a rich onsite experience packed with connection, collaboration, learning, and celebration - while also giving you flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. This role must attend our local office for part of the week. The specific in-office schedule is to be determined by the hiring manager.

The intelligent heart of customer experience

Zendesk software was built to bring a sense of calm to the chaotic world of customer service. Today we power billions of conversations with brands you know and love.

Zendesk believes in offering our people a fulfilling and inclusive experience. Our hybrid way of working, enables us to purposefully come together in person, at one of our many Zendesk offices around the world, to connect, collaborate and learn whilst also giving our people the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week.

As part of our commitment to fairness and transparency, we inform all applicants that artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision systems may be used to screen or evaluate applications for this position, in accordance with Company guidelines and applicable law.

Zendesk is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster global diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at Zendesk are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer. If you are based in the United States and would like more information about your EEO rights under the law, please click here.

Zendesk endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to submit this application, complete any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with your specific accommodation request.