Employee Relations Consultant

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. 

As a Fortune 5 business, we’re one of the world’s leading healthcare companies. There are no limits here on the resources you’ll have or the challenges you’ll encounter.

We have been supporting global healthcare systems from Ireland and the UK for more than 20 years, building a dynamic and diverse team of more than 2,100 talented individuals. With a continued record of growth and stability, we’re on the constant lookout for fresh talent to join our expanding teams.

The Employee Relations Consultant will provide day-to-day support on a variety of employee relations issues, and is responsible for policy interpretation, information gathering, and resolution of issues consistent with UnitedHealth Group’s (UHG) model of employment policies and practices. 

Employee Relations Consultant will manage complex employee relations issues for managers and employees in entry to mid-level roles and may assist ER Leaders with cases involving more senior level employees/leaders as needed.

You will support the Business on a wide variety of employee relations issues and will provide consultation and advice to the team to ensure consistent application of company policies, as well as compliance with relevant employment law 

Schedule: Full-time position Monday – Friday with standard working hours.

Careers with Optum offer flexible work arrangements and individuals who live and work in the Republic of Ireland will have the opportunity to split their monthly work hours between our Dublin Office and telecommuting from a home-based office in a hybrid work model. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Consults with People Business Partners, Managers, and Employees to provide guidance on the employee relations model and to facilitate the resolution of issues consistent with policies and practices
• Handles performance, disciplinary, grievance, TUPE and termination issues for managers while following the appropriate case escalation and notification guidelines based on the subject matter.  Ensure all documentation and full employee consultation is followed in line with local requirements and in line with policy
• Handles all sickness cases with business leaders. including occupational health referrals, review meetings, capability reviews and required accommodations
• Completes research from all available resources for due diligence to mitigate risk
• Resolves problems by clarifying issues; researching questions and exploring answers and alternative solutions, and consulting with others, as needed, prior to recommending appropriate actions
• Sense of urgency and competency to handle emergency “One Breath” situations according to UHG protocols
• Effectively and efficiently handles a call schedule from employees or managers
• Provide analytic insights for the region, including the preparation of documentation for the leadership meetings and implementation of Service Now changes in the region
• Audit responsibility ISO, WRC review, plan, and process improvement
• Policy reviews and contribution for formation
• Manager training on ER learning, trends and mitigation strategies
• Manage escalated and complex cases for managers and employees and support sickness absence cases
• Coaching and working with People Business Partners involving more senior level employees/leaders as needed
• Workload through report monitoring and case assignments (for EMEA this can take up to one year to resolve)
• Provide support and backup including, vendor management, facilitating team meetings, new hire and cross-functional training, and case management
• Assist in identifying process improvements for process and policy, contributing to innovative solutions, and make recommendations regarding policies and procedures
• Acts as a resource for others with less experience and provides analytical review and feedback

You will be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role, as well as providing development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in employee relations
• CIPD Level 7 qualified or CIPD Level 5 qualified but willing to study Level 7
• Knowledge of employment law; EMEA knowledge of local legislation specifically UK & Ireland

Preferred Qualifications of the Employee Relations Consultant:

• BS or BA Degree
• Windows, Excel, Word, PeopleSoft skills
• Consulting experience

Soft Skills:

• Verbal and written communication and documentation skills.
• Credibility, and ability to influence at a senior level with strong stakeholder management skills Proven experience in conflict resolution
• Coaching skills 
• Ability to work independently

Please note you must currently be eligible to work and remain indefinitely without any restrictions in the country to which you are making an application. Proof will be required to support your application.

All telecommuters will be required to adhere to the UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: Optum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, race, and membership of the Traveler community, or any other characteristic protected by law. Optum is a drug-free workplace. © 2024 Optum Services (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved.

#RPO #BBMEMEA