Employee and Labor Relations Investigations Leader

We are seeking experienced Investigations and Employee Relations experts to join our team in the EMEA region. In this role, you will play a crucial role in maintaining employee relations and promoting a positive work environment.

Reporting to the Employee Relations Investigations and Excellence EMEA Leader, you will be responsible for handling ER investigations, managing ER cases, and conducting cross-country investigations as required in the Region, and specifically for the BENE Cluster. This position requires strong stakeholder management skills, fluency in English and the local languages, and a thorough understanding of employment laws and regulations in the Cluster.

Reporting to the Employee Relations Investigations and Excellence EMEA Leader, you will be responsible for handling ER investigations, managing ER cases, and conducting cross-country investigations as required in the Region, and specifically for the BENE Cluster. This position requires strong stakeholder management skills, fluency in English and the local languages, and a thorough understanding of employment laws and regulations in the Cluster.

Responsibilities & the impact You will have.

Employee Relations Investigations:

Assessing complaints and determining the scope and nature of investigations.
Conduct thorough and objective investigations into employee relations issues, including harassment, discrimination, and other workplace concerns, to identify evidence, reach investigation findings and outcomes, recommended resolutions, and mitigate risks to the business, within the required timeframes.

Create clear and robust investigation reports and deliver them in accordance with applicable requirements.

Ensure timely and fair resolution of investigations and possibly simultaneous ER cases in the Cluster, maintaining the highest standards of investigation practices.
Manage primarily cluster investigations, followed by ER cases and cross-country investigations and support in punctual Corporate ERLR investigations with EMEA focus, as required.

Adapt to managing sensitive cases, while balancing workload.
Support in the development of training programs related to investigations.

Case Management:

Handle a wide range of ER cases, from routine issues to complex and sensitive matters.
Provide expert advice and support to managers and employees on ER matters.
Stakeholder management

Lead country/Cluster stakeholders involved, and coordinate communications as required during each investigation and upon conclusion.

Develop strong relationships with HR business partners, HCC, legal counsel, and other relevant key stakeholders in the Country or cross country as required.

Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders, providing guidance and robust recommendations to resolve ER issues on workplace concerns.

Collaborate with ERLR teams involved cross country investigations, to ensure adherence to local requirements.

Collaborate with teams from different departments to effectively address and resolve employee relations concerns. Your ability to work across teams will ensure a comprehensive approach to resolving ER issues.

Compliance and excellence:

Stay informed about local employment laws and regulations to ensure that all investigations and employee relations practices align with legal requirements. Your current knowledge will guide decision-making and promote adherence to legal standards.
Foster a culture of excellence in ER investigations and case management throughout the region.
Implement best practices, skills, processes, and tools for ER work, ensuring continuous improvement and high standards.

Additional Duties:

Provide advice and counsel to HR and business leaders on complex ER matters, including employee relations interpretation, discipline, grievance resolution, and other related employment matters.

Explain and interpret complex company and governmental rules, employment regulations, and procedures to managers and employees.
Conduct the investigation and resolution of employee grievances and coordinate responses to complaints.

Recommend courses of action on HR workplace concerns to management in coordination with Country ERLR team

Drive direct interventions with managers and employees on sensitive cases and escalations.
Contribute to a knowledge-sharing environment by documenting and sharing relevant experiences for future reference.

Maintain complete and accurate documentation in accordance with guidelines.

We would love to hear from you if you have

Bachelor’s degree in law, human resources, or a related field, or equivalent experience. An advanced degree or certification in Employee Relations is preferred but not required.
Minimum of 7 years of proven experience in ERLR or HR, with a focus on investigations.
Demonstrated experience managing investigations in a corporate environment.
Proven experience in effectively managing relationships and collaborating with various parties in sensitive matters.
Strong background in continuous improvement and process excellence.

Skills:

Demonstrated understanding of employment laws and regulations in your country. Your expertise will support informed decision-making.
Excellent investigative skills and a commitment to fairness and integrity. Your dedication to fairness will drive unbiased investigations.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Exceptional communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.
Ability to navigate successfully within ambiguity, managing multiple cases and investigations simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in English is required. Dutch and French required.
Managing and analyzing data while maintaining discretion in dealing with sensitive employee information and circumstances.
Identifying Candidates

In addition to identifying candidates through the formal bidding process, the hiring Company may identify potential employee moves based on succession and/or development planning information.

Preferred Skills:

Coaching, Commercial Awareness, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Consulting, Corporate Investigations, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Employee Health, Employee Relationships, HR Strategic Management, Human Resources Consulting, Labor and Employment Law, People Centricity, People Performance Management, Problem Solving, Social Awareness, Talent Management, Union Relationships

Beerse/ Diegem/ B