Employee Relations Manager

**OPENTEXT - THE INFORMATION COMPANY**

As the Information Company, our mission at OpenText is to create software solutions and deliver services that redefine the future of digital. Be part of a winning team that leads the way in Enterprise Information Management.

**The Opportunity**:
Part of the OpenText America’s Employee Relations team, reporting to the Senior Director of Employee Relations, the Employee Relations Manager is a key member of the newly developed Employee Relations Centre of Excellence. This can be a hybrid role, part time in either Waterloo or Richmond Hill, Ontario Canada or virtual anywhere in Canada or the US, though there is a strong preference for the role to be 3 days a week in the Waterloo office.

The Employee Relations Manager will provide coaching, consulting, expertise and mentorship to Leaders, HR staff, and employees on Employee Relations matters such as performance management, offboarding, policy management, grievance/investigations management, leave management, HR Legal matters, compliance and accommodation, in support of the Employee Relations centralized team model. They will have a high level of expertise in North American Employment Legislation and practices with a particular focus and expertise in U.S. and/or Canadian legislation,

**What You Are Great At**:

- Consult with Leaders on performance cases, assisting them with delivering feedback in an objective manner that is intended to motivate employees to improve, while also providing solid documentation for performance cases.
- Mainly in a lead capacity, investigate issues by assembling investigation team, gathering all relevant facts, interviewing critical witnesses, reviewing similar cases, and using knowledge, judgment and experience, to recommend course of action to leadership; assisting with the implementation of corrective actions and/or disciplinary procedures
- Handle complex and emotionally charged issues with composure, addressing situations objectively and without bias.
- Mediate issues between employees to minimize workplace conflict.
- Oversee complex leave situations in collaboration with HR Shared Services, Benefits and other relevant parties, to ensure leaves are handled in accordance with policies, practices and that communication is clear for all parties, including the return to work process.
- Partner with Legal and in collaboration with relevant HR parties and the business, will analyze facts, provide input and recommend course of action to achieve resolution of HR Legal matters that may arise.
- Assist Leaders with diagnosing and resolving issues through proper questioning techniques, active listening skills and risk assessment.
- Collaborate with internal legal counsel on issues as appropriate and external legal when approved and necessary.
- Monthly & quarterly reporting on Employee Relations matters, interpreting data and making recommendations for positive change in the work environment.
- Establish and maintain credibility throughout the organization and ensure strict adherence to confidentiality and sensitivity in handling all aspects of private data and confidential matters across the HR team and organizationally.

**What It Takes**:

- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent HR experience.
- 8+ years HR experience with a particular focus, emphasis and strength in Employee Relations.
- Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to utilize exceptional active listening skills to determine issues and formulate and ask appropriate follow up questions.
- Demonstrated ability to handle difficult or volatile situations/individuals effectively and to mediate in situations where required.
- Ability to conduct investigations in a neutral and timely manner.
- Demonstrated ability to use sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
- Effective at managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines, ability to prioritize conflicting demands, organize time, collaborate with and lead resources to deliver consistent results and bring initiatives to successful completion.
- Excellent ability to analyze difficult and complex situations with a proven track record of recommending optimal solutions.
- Ability and desire to effectively mentor, develop and coach
- Highly self-motivated and able to work autonomously while instinctively keeping all relevant parties properly informed.
- knowledge and understanding of America’s Employment Law with focus on the United States and/ or Canada
- Strong Business Acumen with experience working as part of a large global organization.
- High degree of business ethics and transparency.
- SHRM-SCP or similar certification would be an asset.
- Fluency in French would be a strong bonus
- Fluency in Portuguese and/or Spanish would be an added bonus