Employee Relations Specialist

Let’s grow together!
About Zurich Cover-More
Zurich Cover-More is one of the world’s largest travel insurance and assistance providers and part of Zurich Insurance Group, a leading multi-line insurer. We stand for more care, more cover, for all, and we look after more than 20 million of the world’s travelers every year, making sure we are there every step of their journey.

Our family of customer-facing brands include Travel Guard, Cover-More Travel Insurance, Travelex Insurance, Universal Assistance, World Travel Protection, Freely and Blue Insurance. We are a connected and caring workforce of more than 2600 employees with teams in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Our global delivery platform provides a consistent multi-lingual service experience and ability to write insurance policies in more than 50 countries. Zurich Cover-More has more 200 distribution partners around the world including airlines, global travel companies, major banks and credit card providers and leading retailers.
Zurich Cover-More (ZCM) is currently looking for an Employee Relations (ER) Consultant to support our growing employee population in Canada. This position will report directly to the Regional HR Leader for ZCM North America and will be based in our Toronto office. The ER Consultant is accountable for providing subject matter expertise and acting as a primary point of contact for managers and employees by providing advice, counsel, and analysis of ER issues of a moderate to high complexity. This work includes partnering with people leaders in addressing performance management issues, misconduct, workplace accommodation and leave of absence requests, employment absences & terminations, investigations, policy interpretation, best practices, and personal issues that affect employees in the workplace. This position will also partner with leaders in building and implementing proactive and preventive performance management measures.

Key responsibilities include:
Consult with managers and employees on a broad range of moderately to highly complex employee relations issues.
Ensure resolution of alleged violations of company policies by researching, conducting fact-finding interviews, analyzing facts, documenting, and consulting with CoEs, business leaders and practice leads.
Assist with the due diligence and logistics responsibilities associated with organizational changes that impact the company; participate in notifications to employees.
Identify and analyze organizational trends and partner with the team to bring about the best solutions for the organization.
Provide input into the development of procedures.
Collaborate with the ER team in Zurich North America regarding best practices for assigned ER issues / topics.
Manage critical ER case documentation to ensure full compliance with the organization’s rules and regulations governing transactions and aligned to the organization’s strategy.
As needed, represent the organization at legal and administrative proceedings, and investigate and assist in preparing responses to specific employee and attorney demands in consultation with practice lead on direction, resolution, and finalization of responses.
As needed, conduct research and act as key partner with internal and external legal counsel on ER cases.
Maintain a strong understanding of HR policies and procedures to ensure implementation and compliance to employment law and business unit standards.
Build and maintain positive relationships with the business leadership team and other internal/external stakeholders.
If you have experience in Employee Relations and are looking for an opportunity to help create a positive and compliant work environment, this role could be ideal for you.
Skills, Knowledge, and Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Human Resources or another business-related field.
7+ years of proven work experience in the Employee Relations area with specific focus in the areas of compliance, performance management, and conflict resolution.
Professional certification in Human Resources or alternative dispute resolution, e.g., CHRP, CHRL, TPN, ADR or similar, preferred.
Superior organizational skills with the ability to set and manage priorities to ensure deadlines are met.
Demonstrated experience in managing and resolving employee absence and accommodation issues effectively.
Analytical and data-driven.
Ability to independently identify and analyze issues and develop appropriate solutions and plans of action.
Thorough knowledge and high proficiency in HR policies, standards, and procedures.
Confidentiality and attention to detail are necessary.
Strong ability to partner and build credibility at all levels with honesty and high integrity.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and active listening.
Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
Demonstrate positivity, flexibility, enthusiasm, and professionalism.