Employee Relations Investigator

Job Summary

NetApp's Human Resources department is looking for an experienced employee relations investigator with US employment law knowledge. In this role, you will provide consultation, investigation, and resolution of employee relations issues and conflicts with limited supervision. This role could also flex to take on global investigations cases in EMEA and APAC for additional growth and development, but the primary focus will be in the AMER region. You will also assist the Employee Relations team with building and refining consistent and streamlined processes, develop, and deliver proactive training, and find innovative ways to utilize data trends for the benefit of the function and business, and contribute to global case management compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Investigations & Consultation 

- Manage complex employee relations related investigations with limited supervision, end-to-end, including allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, bullying, misconduct, bias, and other inappropriate behavior across NetApp locations within the Americas.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of, and dedicated adherence to, confidentiality, neutrality, and other employment law and workplace investigations best practices. 
- Exercise strong professional judgment, emotional intelligence, and empathy with investigation parties and cross-functional partners in HR, Legal, and the business. 
- Articulate findings to the business in the form of fact-based conclusions and recommendations that look towards broader organizational health improvements and long-term solutions that fix root cause issues.
- Experience handling cases at different levels of the company and capacity to manage high case volume of 10+ cases at any given time in addition to assisting and mentoring other ER investigators as a team lead.
- Experience advising on employment-related matters and conducting prompt, thorough, and fair investigations with documentation and investigative reports that will withstand legal scrutiny and promote consistency in multiple jurisdictions. 
- Support HR partners with consultation on performance cases, RIFs, restructures, threat assessments, LOAs, accommodations, MSAs, terminations, and other HR initiatives. 

Proactive Training Development and Project Management  

- Develop and deliver training content and programs for various audiences using cutting-edge learning and development modalities on topics including compliance, policies, employment law, manager learning and development, performance management best practices, and effective conflict resolution and communication best practices.
- Lead and assist on projects related to performance management, terminations, severance, hybrid work, change management, and company restructure actions.

Case Management Oversight and Data/Reporting Innovation  

Follow management compliance initiatives in Navex Ethics Point, discern systemic issues, and creatively utilize data to help develop long-term and proactive solutions.   

Conflict Resolution  

Practical experience with conflict resolution consultation, coaching, collaborative problem-solving, and mediation to resolve workplace conflict effectively and collaboratively between employees and managers.  

Job Requirements

• 8+ years of experience investigating and advising on ER-related matters in the tech industry.
• Experience independently conducting, documenting, and presenting investigations that will withstand legal scrutiny and promote consistency in multiple jurisdictions 
• Experience presenting findings and recommendations to leadership or those with dissenting opinions and skill in influencing leadership to adopt best practices
• Experience working independently, acting on priorities, and exercising proven judgment around key issues balanced with collaborative relationship management skills in a highly cross-functional environment.
• Familiarity with facilitation, mediations, and/or restorative justice processes 
• Learning and development knowledge around content development and delivery
• Experience identifying relevant legal risk in ER and HR casework
• Project management experience both at a strategic and tactical level 
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, critical thinking, influencing, and organizational skills with great attention to detail, a growth mindset, and ability to adapt in rapidly changing environment. 

Education & Experience

• 8 years relevant experience required 
• Juris Doctorate or advanced degree in HR/ER/LR a plus
• Formal training in workplace investigations and/or AWI certification, a plus