Manager Human Resources, Employee Relations

Job Purpose

The Manager, Human Resources Employee Relations is responsible for Industrial Relations and planning and implementation of strategies for improving employee relations. The incumbent is also expected to provide advice to the Executive Management Team in all aspects of Union/Management relations.

He/She must be knowledgeable and proficient in OSHA related issues and in addressing OSHA matters before the Industrial Court.

He/She must be knowledgeable and conversant with the Labour Laws of Trinidad and Tobago and arbitration decisions handed down by the Industrial Court in order to determine their impact on pending negotiations and grievances.

The Manager, Procurement and Contracts is responsible for coordinating the centralized system for the procurement and control of supplies, equipment materials and services utilized within the SWRHA.

He/she provides leadership and direction for the Department and its employees and supports the management team in decision-making to ensure cost-effective, quality oriented purchasing. He/she co-ordinates third party relationships with Procurement & Contracts suppliers and other members of the supply chain.

The Authority reserves the right to assign the officer to any Facility under its management.

The core functions include but not limited to the following:

Employee Relations Functions:

• Assists Heads of Departments with the interpretation and application of the Human Resources Policies and Procedures.
• Ensures employee awareness of the Authority’s grievance process and disciplinary procedures.
• Oversees and participates in all processes pertaining to employee relations.
• Provides relevant suggestions and solutions in terms of employee relations to support the Authority’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Initiates and reviews employee satisfaction surveys on employee relations matters.
• Participates in and ensures the enforcement of the Authority’s grievance and disciplinary procedures to resolve disputes between management and workers.
• Ensures the provision of counseling, mediation and behaviour modification services for staff at all levels in the Authority to reduce the occurrence of employee relations matters.
• Provides departmental managers and supervisors with advice and guidance concerning the management of industrial relations matters in their respective departments and co-ordinates the grievance procedures via sensitization and training sessions.
• Chairs non - crisis meetings between management and staff and respective bargaining bodies, unions and staff associations.
• Ensures there are systems in place for implementing the strategies for improving employee relations.

Human Resources Functions:

• Monitors the implementation of the Authority’s Industrial Relations Agreement to ensure the consistency of application, equity, fair play and justice.
• Assists the General Manager Human Resources in negotiating with bargaining agents of the SWRHA as appropriate.
• Prepares evidence for disciplinary hearings including witness and collect evidence for legal proceedings.
• Ensures the adherence of collective agreements and Human Resource policies and procedures.
• Establishes the metrics to manage the performance of the Industrial Relations Unit.
• Represents the Authority at various government agencies including Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health, Industrial Court, and Court of Appeal as appropriate.
• Represent the Authority before the Registration, Recognition and Certification Board.
• Manages the processes related to the conduct of investigations and tribunals at the Authority.
• Works with the Legal Department in the conduct of litigation and matters before the Court of Appeal.
• Prepares and submits status reports, to the General Manager Human Resources, Chief Executive Officer, and Human Resources Committee/Board monthly, quarterly or as required.
• Keeps the General Manager Human Resources informed of all operational issues, concerns or other areas that may require attention.
• Assists the General Manager Human Resources in achieving the strategic goals and operational objectives of the Authority.
• Assists in formulating and implementing Human Resources Policies and Procedures as well as assist in the review and revision of the existing HR Policy and Procedures Manual.
• Prepares and submits proposals/counter proposals for Collective bargaining and negotiations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications, Training and Experience:

• First Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Management or Social Science.
• Diploma/ Certificate in Industrial Relations from an accredited institution of at least one (1) year in duration.
• A Bachelor of Law Degree will be an asset.
• Legal Education Certificate (LEC) or Legal Practice Certificate (LPC) will be an asset.
• Eight (8) years experience in Human Resources; five (5) of which must be at a supervisory/managerial level.
• Experience in a health related environment would be an asset.