Manager Employee and Industrial Relations

Advise and support management in the effective management of human resources in keeping with the industrial agreements and positive Industrial Relations practices

Job Summary

The incumbent will be required to:

• Facilitate productivity and industrial peace through the implementation of effective labor relations strategies reflected in the management of the terms and conditions of the Collective Agreement.
• Advise and support management in the effective management of human resources in keeping with the industrial agreements and positive Industrial Relations practices; and
• Develop and implement employee welfare interventions and facilitate the maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment.

Job Responsibilities

Employee and Industrial Relations Management

• Manage grievance & disciplinary processes and preside over the resolution of disputes
• Chair monthly Non-Crises Meetings (attended by Union Representatives) to discuss, brainstorm and resolve or mitigate crises and address staff concerns
• Ensure adherence to the Health, Safety, Security and Environment Policies and Procedures of the company and related Legislation to maintain and promote good industrial relations
• Research, inform and compose proposals for the establishment or revision of Collective Agreements inclusive of costings for Bargaining Units' Terms and Conditions based on authoritative references, comparative analyses, organizational demands, and industry norms
• Negotiate with the Recognized Majority Union toward the establishment of Memorandum of Agreements in accordance with guidelines established by the Board of Directors, and Minister where applicable.
• Administer and interpret the Collective Agreements for Bargaining Units A & B.
• Represent the company in conciliation at the Ministry of Labor and hearings at the Industrial Court as required.
• Develop, maintain, and administer Industrial Relations and Health & Safety Policies, Procedures and Workflows.
• Develop, implement, and administer Employee Welfare Programs.

People Management

• Manage the performance of immediate subordinates, providing advice on technical and administrative matters and providing training as required.
• Monitor & evaluate performance of subordinate staff through implementation of Performance Management System, including the conduct the annual performance appraisals.
• Ensure that Training Needs Reports are completed, and approved Action Items are executed in order to equip staff with the necessary Knowledge, Skills.
• Promote compliance with the company’s Corporate Policies, Procedures & Instructions related to: Human Resource Management, including Industrial Agreements; and, Health, Safety, Security, and the Environment, including relevant elements of the OSH Act.
• Manage equipment, operating systems and supplies, information and physical amenities necessary for the efficient and effective conduct of the Department's business and the maintenance of a healthy and safe work environment.

Audit, Compliance & Risk

• Assess recommendations arising out of the conduct of audits and system reviews and implement approved action items where necessary.
• Implement, monitor & evaluate relevant risk mitigation strategies contained in the Business Unit’s Operational Plan identified by the Executive Management Team
• Co-operate with and provide assistance to Internal and External Auditors, and internal Compliance and Risk Managers with regard to access to, or provision of information, records and responses required for preparation of financial statements as well as audit and risk reports.

Strategic Support

• Provide advice to Executive, Senior and Middle Management on Industrial Relations matters.
• Visit Service Centers and departments in order to provide guidance and advice.
• Participate in the development and review of the Human Resources Operational Plan, Organizational Structure, Performance Management System, Compensation System, Job & Position Descriptions and Performance Standards.
• Contribute to the efficiency and improvement in operations of the Business Unit through active participation in meetings, the development and management of internal operational procedures and implementation of agreed approaches to organizational issues.
• Participate in the management decision-making process as a member of the company’s Senior Management Team.
• Represent the Human Resources Unit on Internal and External Committees as directed by the Executive Manager Human Resources or Chief Operating Officer Corporate Services, and co-ordinate the Unit’s efforts in meeting the approved objectives of the committee.
• Perform other related duties as requested.

Job Requirements

• Masters’ Degree (preferably in the Social Sciences, Management or Business Administration).
• Advanced Certificate or Diploma in Industrial Relations from a recognized Educational Intuition
• Certification from a Recognized HR Body
• A minimum of five (5) years’ progressive Human Resource Management experience involving collective bargaining, grievance handling, discipline and interaction with Trade Unions, Ministry of Labour, Industrial Court and Registration, Recognition and Certification Board
• A minimum of five (5) years’ managerial experience
• Any equivalent combination of qualifications and experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Legal Method - Understanding, analyzing and applying legal rules and principles.
• HR Management - Understanding of principles and procedures required for effective management of an organization's human resources. Includes recruitment, selection, training and orientation, compensation, labour relations and HR information systems.
• Sociology - Knowledge of human social behavior, especially the study of the origins, organization, institutions, and development of human society.
• Human Resources - Knowledge of the field of human resources, specifically regarding personnel recruitment and selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation.
• Business Administration - Knowledge of how to manage all or part of an organization by developing strategies, planning, allocating resources (human, financial, material, intellectual or intangible), controlling procedures and evaluating outcomes.
• Auditing and Control of Procedures - Extent to which one is able to keep track of how well employees are following procedures.
• Training - Extent to which one is able to effectively and efficiently transfer knowledge to others.
• Interviewing - Skills related to asking pointed and structured questions that are intended to help gather important information.
• Planning - Extent to which one is able to take into account organizational goals in order to develop a step-by-step plan for how to proceed.
• Planning Events - Extent to which one is able to make arrangements, foresee potential problems and come up with alternate plans, as well as ensure the actual event goes as anticipated.
• Critical Thinking - Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Negotiating - Extent to which one can bring others together and reconcile differences.
• Advising and Providing Feedback - Extent to which one provides helpful advice and feedback about performance to employees/colleagues.
• Resolving Conflict - Extent to which one is capable of finding a satisfactory solution to conflict, and to resolve the issue without lingering resentment.
• Disciplining - Extent to which one is capable of handing down appropriate punishment when an employee's performance is unacceptable, or an organizational rule is broken.

Personal Traits

• Goal/Achievement-orientation - Extent to which one's goals are well-defined and are a driving force in one's life.
• Leadership Qualities - Extent to which one possesses a natural tendency to take charge and instills confidence in others.
• Good Communication - Ability to get one's point across to others in a clear, concise and sensitive manner.
• Comfort with Offering Criticism - Degree to which one is at ease offering feedback (negative and positive) to others.
• Emotional Stability - Degree to which one's emotions remain steady in difficult times and are not prone to extremes.
• Comfort with having Authority - Ability to handle pressure, conflicts, and other difficulties that may arise in positions of authority.
• Comfort with Decision-making - Ability to handle the pressure that accompanies decision-making power.
• Creative Thinking and Problem-solving - Degree to which one comes up with solutions for problems that are unique, creative, relevant and in demand.

Job Ref: CBH/JC