Employee Relations Team Lead

LOCATION

On-site at Eastman's Corproate Headquarters in Kingsport, TN

Summary

The Employee Relations Leader provides strategic and tactical advice, support, and resolution to Human Resources partners, Global Business Conduct, and business leaders on a broad range of employment issues including HR policy interpretation, policy violations, performance management, employee discipline and misconduct, and employment-related conflict resolutions. Partners within Human Resources and business leaders to implement sustainable solutions that reduce repeat issues and improve workforce culture. Consults with Legal and other Centers of Excellence to mitigate risk and liability and ensure compliance with employment laws and policies. Compiles remediation plans and recommendations and ensures consistency related to consequence management.  

Responsibilities

•    Serves as a primary ER subject-matter expert and point of contact for employee relations matters, providing support and advice to HR and business leaders regarding performance management, employee discipline, policy interpretation, and termination processes, ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and applicable laws.

•    Leads team responsible for and/or serves as a liaison in internal investigations related to a variety of employee relations issues. Compiles and generates investigation related documentation (i.e., Investigation Reports, Issue Summaries, etc.).  

•    Will play lead investigator role in highest complexity investigations (based on circumstances, may at times spend up to 50% of time in this space). 

•    Analyze workforce data and trends to identify risks, opportunities, and recommend practical solutions aligned with business goals.  Responsible for developing and maintaining Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) linked to driving effective employee relations strategy.  Reports out on this analysis and KPI’s to key senior HR and business leaders regularly.

•    Coach and enable leaders to use creative, timely resolution approaches to avoid escalation and improve outcomes.

•    Partner with HR and the COEs to design and deliver leader trainings, manager toolkits, and preventative programs addressing root causes.

•    Manages an employee relations case management system to review and track case progress and maintain investigation files.

•    Stays updated on employment-related laws including state requirements impacting employees (minimum wage, salary posting requirement, final pay requirements, etc.).

•    Collaborates with HR leadership to develop, implement, and communicate employee relations policies, procedures, and programs. Works with HR Compliance to audit and ensure policies are up to date, aligned with legal requirements, and effectively address employee concerns.

•    Tracks relevant employee data, generates metrics to identify trends, and presents insights to Senior Leadership to help inform process improvements and approaches.

•    Collaborate closely with HR Managers/Business Partners and business leadership to align HR strategies with operational needs.

•    Lead and inspire a diverse Employee Relations (ER) team by fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment that emphasizes continuous development and strategic alignment with ER- and HR-specific goals while modeling visibility, accessibility, and consistent leadership practices.

•    Champion ER initiatives that drive performance excellence, employee engagement, and organizational culture. Ensure open communication and innovation, empowering team members to contribute effectively as strategic business partners in advancing the company's success.

•    Serve as an escalation point for challenging employee relations issues, leveraging experience to navigate sensitive situations with diplomacy while providing coaching, guidance, and support to ER and HR business partners at all levels.

Qualifications

•    Bachelor’s degree required.
•    A minimum of 10 years’ (15 years’ preferred) of progressive ER, HR, or other related experience with a minimum of 5 years in employee relations or labor/employment relations. 2 years of hands-on manufacturing site-level ER/HR experience is preferred.
•    Preferred: 2+ years’ experience directly leading a team
•    Proven ability to build trust quickly with all levels of leadership and effectively influence senior management
•    Ability to travel up to 25%      
•    Highly skilled in workplace investigations, negotiation, and conflict management.
•    Deep understanding of US employment law, EEO regulations, workplace anti-discrimination and accommodations related laws, including Title VII, the ADA, the FMLA and their state law equivalents.
•    Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
•    Able to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion.
•    Proficient in analyzing HR metrics and converting data into actionable recommendations.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to influence upward and laterally.
•    Preferred: Experience with multi-state employment law and accommodation/FMLA processes; union experience if applicable.
•    Proficient with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
•    Certifications desired: Certified Workplace Investigator (or equivalent), SHRM/PHR/SPHR.