Employee and Labor Relations Manager (0493U), People & Culture

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

People & Culture is valued as UC Berkeley's proactive people partner focusing on the following key priority areas:

• One HR: Bringing clarity and efficiency to HR processes and structures through cross-team collaboration and transparent communication.
• People: Using development opportunities beyond training to create deeper engagement, higher trust, and better performance.
• Culture: Applying the Berkeley brand to developing a shared "enterprise contributor" mindset among all.

Reporting to the Director of Employee and Labor Relations, the Manager of Employee and Labor Relations (ELR Manager) is responsible to ensure adherence and compliance for labor contracts, personnel policies, and state and federal laws and to maintain satisfactory labor-management and department relations on campus, with an emphasis on the academic employees in collective bargaining units and related personnel policy employees in assigned departments. The ELR Manager oversees compliance of the UC Abusive Conduct in the Workplace Policy for all employee and related student groups, including the intake, assessment, investigation, interim/supportive measures, resolution (formal and informal) of complaints, creating/updating related processes, templates, flow charts, web page, all related training, reporting and metrics.

The ELR Manager leads and manages a team of employee and labor relations staff who perform these underlying associated duties. Responsibilities include representing or overseeing representation of the campus in negotiating sessions, addressing grievances, interpreting and implementing Human Resources policies and procedures and related processes/templates, representing Employee & Labor Relations (ELR) at various campus meetings, providing ELR support for campus programs and initiatives, supporting ELR internal initiatives, providing coverage for the Director under the supervision of the Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources and other duties as assigned. Other duties may include, but are not limited to handling or overseeing non-protected category investigations, arbitrations and administrative processes (CRD, EEOC, PERB, DLSE, PPSM 70).

The incumbent for this position has significant, broad and deep knowledge of relevant campus and system-wide policies and procedures, applicable federal and state law, state administrative processes, regulatory compliance issues, available campus and community resources, as well as best practices for employee and labor relations issues and leadership. The ELR Manager is an expert in time management, diplomacy, and the role of a neutral in employee and labor relations issues and the investigation process and provides guidance to other compliance professionals, supervisors, managers, department and campus leadership. Normally receives high-level oversight on assignments with general instruction provided on new or more complex compliance work. Responsible for making decisions that have significant effect on campus operations and that are legally enforceable. Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve goals results in potential liability, additional costs and personnel, and serious delays in delivery of ELR services.

The First Review Date for this job is: February 9, 2023

Collective Bargaining Agreement and Personnel Policy Compliance -

• Works in a highly collaborative manner with people of diverse cultures, managers and human resource professionals on labor and employee relations and employment law implications relating to individual and campus-wide issues or courses of action, with an emphasis on the academic-represented employees and employees in the departments assigned to the related ELR academic team.
• Responsible for administering and interpreting collective bargaining agreements and personnel policies for the campus; including but not limited to managing individuals engaged in local negotiations, leading or participating in labor-management meetings, assessing/revising/ publishing/training employee and labor relations best practices and processes as needed, conferring with senior managers and leadership as necessary.
• Establishes and maintains effective and collaborative relationships with campus partners and union leadership and representatives.
• Recognizes issues that have campus impact or future implications, creates proposed solutions, and advises and collaborates with managers appropriately.
• Discerns need for advice from the APO, campus leadership, UC Office of the President, or counsel, and obtains that advice when necessary.

Complaint Resolution, Oversight, and Management -

• Oversees compliance of the UC Abusive Conduct in the Workplace Policy for all employee and related student groups, including the intake, assessment, investigation, interim/supportive measures, resolution (alternative, formal and informal) of complaints, creating/updating related processes, templates, flow charts, web page, all related training, reporting and metrics. Abusive conduct policy duties also include creation of Notices of Allegation for matters that are forwarded for investigation and conducting case hand off meetings with investigators to ensure they are fully briefed on the allegations.
• The ELR Manager leads and manages employee and labor relations staff who perform these underlying associated duties, and performs this work as necessary.
• The ELR Manager and staff will conduct highly sensitive intake meetings with impacted individuals about their rights, options, and resources; determine appropriate resolution pathways; determine and implement appropriate and available response options and supportive measures, including referral to campus and community resources and alternative resolution; consult with the ELR Director as needed and keep them informed of particularly complicated, sensitive complaints.
• Researches and analyzes issues, complaints and concerns at all levels of complexity.
• Responds to questions about policy and processes from the university community.
• Conducts regular case review meetings with staff to ensure timely, thorough, and accurate response to reports, concerns, and questions from the university community.
• Oversees case documentation in Ethicspoint (or applicable database) and works with staff to ensure accurate and timely case processing and database management.
• Ensures that cases are regularly updated in the database.
• Participates in the selection, development and evaluation of complaint resolution staff to ensure the efficient operation of the function.

Administrative Proceedings -

• Represent or oversee representation of the campus in administrative proceedings (DLSE, CRD, EEOC, PERB, etc.), grievances and final and binding arbitrations, and maintain the requisite knowledge of applicable laws, procedures, and best practices.

Labor Negotiation, Support, and Oversight -

• Responsible for supporting, overseeing or representing UC Berkeley at local or system-wide negotiations and labor management meetings in line with campus objectives: charged with developing effective bargaining strategies which will lead to desired outcomes to achieve agreements within parameters defined by campus management, develops campus-wide goals and priorities, and consults campus partners as necessary.
• Oversees preparation of documents responsive to negotiation related requests for information.

Supervision and Leadership -

• Provides direction, guidance, and development opportunities to direct reports or as directed, as necessary, including performance review and management, establishing priorities and delegating work assignments effectively, ensuring proper adherence to applicable collective bargaining agreements, policies and/or procedures, processes and best practices.
• Supports the director of employee and labor relations with team building and working to maintain a supportive, positive ELR Team with defined roles and goals, with open and honest communication with mutual accountability and collaboration.
• Responsible for making decisions that have substantial effect on campus operations and that are legally enforceable.

Collaboration with the Director of Employee and Labor Relations and Other Duties as Assigned -

• Collaborates with the Director of Employee and Labor Relations to ensure the ELR Team is a highly functioning, timely responsive, collaborative team with effective communication that utilizes best practices to provide positive, professional and timely customer service to campus clients.
• Collaborates with the Assistant Vice Provost regarding issues related to faculty and academic labor contracts, Abusive Conduct in the Workplace policy compliance, academic labor contract negotiations, and as otherwise needed.
• Attends standing meetings on behalf of the director and/or helps prepare for standing meetings as assigned, ensures appropriate preparation, communication and follow up occur.
• Develops and monitors operational and budget processes, staff FTE, finance, human resources and space planning as needed.
• Assists Director in creating and revising employee and labor relations related training and compliance programs, assessing and revising best practices, templates, processes, and local procedures, and implementing new or revised policies.
• Meets annual goals by director and remains within allocated budget.
• Works with the Director on other duties as assigned.
• Assist Director with ELR management systems and metrics reporting.
• Participate in system wide and University committees and work groups.

Build and Maintain Campus and Other Relationships -

• Builds collaborative relationships with campus stakeholders to further the office's mission and vision and, through those relationships, deepens the ability for ELR to effectively respond, remedy and ensure campus compliance with all applicable policies, collective bargaining agreements and state and federal law.
• Build collaborative relationships with other campus partners and Office of the President personnel.

• Skills to read, understand and maintain understanding, interpret, apply and communicate University, System Wide and department policies and procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience researching and analyzing complex issues and problems typical of employee and labor relations, and developing and applying recommendations and solutions.
• Experience working in an environment of strict confidentiality with sensitive information, materials and/or client interactions.
• Skill to exercise professional judgment, tact and discretion when dealing with sensitive matters.
• Experience utilizing interpersonal and communication skills (in person, on the phone, and in writing) to handle difficult or sensitive situations diplomatically; and to interact professionally and sensitively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with diverse groups.
• Skills in coalescing viewpoints and facilitating outcomes in group settings.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and communications effectively with minimal direction.
• Ability to organize and present information in a clear and concise manner in writing, verbally, and website page content development.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in employee and labor relations, including complaint resolution and personnel policy / collective bargaining agreement compliance.
• Experience leading, supporting, and developing employees performing labor and employee relations duties.
• Advanced knowledge of federal and state nondiscrimination and labor laws (e.g. Title IX, Title VII, FEHA, ADA, Fair Labor Standards Act, EEOC, FMLA, CFRA, HEERA, etc.).
• Maintains effective professional relationships with campus department managers as well as other managers in the field.
• Has thorough knowledge of labor/employment law and best practices and the principles and techniques of labor negotiations which must be continually updated.
• Requires knowledge of other areas with human resources functions including ADA, FMLA, compensation, recruiting, and employee benefits.
• Requires thorough knowledge of the principles of advocacy, and applicable state and federal laws and court decisions.
• Demonstrated leadership expertise and political acumen responding to sensitive issues within a large, complex organization including the ability to handle extremely difficult or volatile situations/individuals effectively, and work with high conflict situations where employees and/or representatives are exhibiting strong emotions, verbiage.
• Position requires effective decision-making, problem solving, critical thinking, project management and leadership skills.

Education/Training:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

• Advanced knowledge of general, institutional compliance and ethics theories and standards.
• Experience using a case management system for tracking and managing complaint resolution.
• Must have knowledge of and/or ability to maintain a thorough understanding of the goals of the campus and ways in which this position can support those goals.
• Must have knowledge of or ability to quickly learn Campus policies and procedures relating to budget and HR-related matters.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $170,000.00 - $190,000.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position, and eligible for full UC benefits.
• This is an exempt, monthly paid position. The annual salary is commensurate with experience.
• This is a remote-friendly position, eligible for 80% remote capability.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Please include, as part of your application a brief (1-2 paragraph) statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in your professional experience.

Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our UC Berkeley Principles of Community, which states that "every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring, and humane environment in which these values can thrive."

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, please see the University of California Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace policy.