Employee Relations Analyst

Looking to spice up your career? Want a company whose culture has a little sizzle and thinks outside the bun? Make the bold choice and choose Taco Bell. Why? Not only will you find a company that focuses on their employees, but you will work for the best as Taco Bell was just named the Best Place to Work in Orange County! Come see what it’s like to work for an industry leader with endless possibilities!

Major Purpose of the Job:
Provide first-level employee relations support to field-based managers, at and above the restaurant level.

Scope and Magnitude:
Responsible for supporting 350 to 400 restaurants on the average, supporting approximately 30 Above Restaurant Field Managers and 3 to 4 Human Resource Generalists.

Job Functions:
Consulting: Partners with Field Managers to investigate/resolve moderate to serious employee relations issues. Analyst has responsibility for all ER issues occurring in the restaurants, up to Restaurant General Manager (RGM) level, including high priority matters. (HR Generalist has primary responsibility for ER issues above the restaurant, with assistance from Analyst as needed).
Performance Management: Provides direction to Field Managers on Development and Action Plans for restaurant-level employees (up to GM level). May assist with and provide direction on Performance Appraisals.
Network Calls: Partners with Field Managers to investigate/resolve employee complaints (BARS) made through the Network hotline. Analyst makes immediate direct contact with aggrieved employee, if call is not anonymous. Obtains details necessary to make investigation more efficient. Assists w/prioritizing/planning of investigation. May interview additional witnesses on a case-by-case basis. Helps Field Managers sift through the evidence, draw conclusions and implement remedies/disciplinary action.
Prepares monthly and quarterly BAR trending reports for Field Managers, and corporate executives.
Investigates and responds to formal discrimination charges filed by employees with the EEOC and state agencies, with little to no direction. Prepares for and facilitates agency on-site investigations and Fact Finding conferences. May attend conference as company representative. Identifies and recommends cases for settlement based upon risk of legal exposure. Negotiates settlements in low to moderate-risk situations.
Partners with the payroll department to resolve wage/hour disputes by employees. Investigates and resolves DOL claims. Facilitates payment of DOL fines/penalties. Answers questions posed by employees and store managers about wage/hour regulations.
Analyzes trends in all matters related to employee relations, including legislative trends, and assists in developing of programs and processes to address them.
Works on special HR projects as requested.
REQUIREMENTS
Knowledge and Skill Required:

EDUCATION: Undergraduate degree required.
EXPERIENCE:

Must have at least 5-6 years of Employee Relations experience. Requires a keen understanding of the laws governing employment, including wage/hour statutes, Title VII, ADA, and FMLA.
Demonstrated strong analytical and problem solving skills.
Must have excellent writing skills and good business judgment. Experience in responding to charges.
Must work well under pressure, have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence up to Region Coach level.
Demonstrated ability to manage conflict / resolution
Travel required: 25-35%
Bilingual (English / Spanish) fluency preferred