Summary Description: This position is responsible for aligning company policies with Family Members and the Company’s Core Values and Guiding Principles. This position handles Title VII investigations and other sensitive employee relations concerns. The Employee Relations Business Partner (ERBP) will be responsible for responding to complaints for Whataburger Restaurant Operations. Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with Business Partners and Operations Leaders to develop solutions, training, implement best practices, and policies. The ERBP works with management and employees to improve working relationships and build morale to increase productivity and retention.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Investigates employee Title VII complaints and other sensitive employee relations matters, works with the Operations Leaders to take appropriate action, and provide necessary coaching within the field.
• Takes a preventive, strategic approach to employee relations by identifying employee relation trends, recommending solutions that address root-cause of issue and partnering with leadership on execution.
• Responds to government employment enforcement agency complaints and charges in partnership with the Office of General Counsel.
• Serves as the point of contact for responding to HR Hotline and emailed complaints.
• Works closely with the OGC, HR Partners and other Support Partners as needed to provide support and subject matter expertise to recommend appropriate action to resolve disputes.
• Provides general expertise in HR functions to designated departments. Advises and provides recommendations to management on employee relations issues, position descriptions, performance management, mediations, on/off-boarding and goal planning.
• Monitors and interprets legislation and administrative rulings regarding Wage & Hour, FLSA, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and any other pertinent federal and state legislation to ensure Company compliance.
• Serves as liaison with other departments at all levels of the organization on development and implementation of governance policies and protocols.
• Examines HR templates and final documents for compliance with Company policy and governmental regulations; provides recommendations regarding corrections and improvements.
• Keeps detailed and accurate account of investigations with timely memorialization of the notes and supporting documents into the case management system.
• Develops, recommends, and communicates strategies for enhancements to Employee Relations/Human Resources Programs to include process/customer improvements, innovative solutions, policy changes and/or major variations from established policy.
• Collaborates with Operation Leaders for Employee Relations training and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) and other relevant federal, state and local law compliance.
• Ensures collaboration and maintains excellent working relationships by providing regular status updates to Business Partners and Operation Leaders until issue has been resolved and case has been closed.
• Engages in Crisis Management. Objectively advises teams on ways to handle issues.
• Consults on Talent Planning to include Restaurant Talent Planning (RTP) discussion.
• Attend Regional Meeting to provide and consult on Employee Relation opportunities to include Semi-Annual Meeting, RTP, Roundtables, and Market meetings.
• Partners with HRBP/Operations Leader on Restaurant Strategic business planning to determine project business priorities, support rollouts and FMSAT result action plans
• Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned
  

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources preferred or any equivalent combination of education and experience required

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in contributing to the management of projects is preferred
• 2+ years’ experience preferably in restaurant industry

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Proficiency in MS Office Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point and Visio (as applicable)
• Proficiency in JD Edwards (as applicable)
• Ability to communicate well with the general public and experience in establishing and maintaining an effective working relationship with management, vendors, and co-workers
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Working knowledge of employment laws relating to employee relations and personnel administration
• Strong conflict management, interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Knowledge of Wage & Hour, FLSA, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
• Ability to work as a self-directed individual taking initiative to identify and address business needs
• Ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities
• Advanced professional or theoretical knowledge and fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization in the execution of assigned duties and responsibilities
• Basic understanding of budgetary concepts and procedures
• Advanced understanding of departmental structure and policies with basic understanding of the cross-functional structure and policies of Whataburger Restaurants LLC
• Advanced ability to delegate tasks and get work done through others
• Ability to prepare and present information to guests, more senior associates, vendors, and management

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION:

• PHR and/or SHRM-CP preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Expected to work the necessary time to satisfactorily fulfill job responsibilities
• Must be able to report to work timely and as required by operational/business needs
• Must be able to work a full-time schedule and work outside of normal business hours when necessary
• Must be able to travel occasionally both locally and long distances (including air travel), to worksites, meeting sites, and other locations
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, submit to releasing a Motor Vehicle Record that adheres to the Whataburger standards and maintain current automobile liability at minimum levels in their state of residence