What are the responsibilities and job description for the People Relations Consultant position at Duke?
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General Description
The People Relations Consultant provides professional level consultation and support to leaders and HR Business Partners on employee relations matters. This role manages a broad portfolio of employee relations cases, conducts investigations of moderate complexity, and supports consistent application of DUHS employment policies and procedures to promote a respectful and equitable workplace.
Duties and Responsibilities
People Relations Consultation - Independently provides consultation and guidance to supervisors, managers, and HR Business Partners on a broad range of employee and labor relations matters, including performance management, corrective action, workplace conduct, conflict resolution, and policy application. Serves as a trusted advisor to leaders by balancing employee experience, operational needs, and organizational risk within a complex academic medical center environment.
Investigations & Case Management - Leads and conducts investigations of moderate to complex employee and labor relations matters, including allegations of policy violations, harassment, discrimination, or workplace misconduct. Performs fact finding through interviews and document review, evaluates findings, and prepares clear investigative summaries and recommendations. Manages assigned caseloads independently while meeting established service level expectations and escalating higher risk matters appropriately.
Policy Interpretation & Compliance - Interprets and applies DUHS and Duke University employment policies, procedures, and applicable employment laws to ensure consistent and equitable outcomes. Advises leaders on appropriate courses of action and ensures employee relations decisions align with regulatory requirements, internal standards, and best practices.
People Relations Support (as applicable) - Provides support for people relations activities, including interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, grievance support, and preparation of documentation related to labor matters. Partners with senior consultants and leadership in managing labor related issues and ensuring compliance with contractual and legal requirements.
Risk Identification & Issue Escalation - Identifies patterns, trends, and emerging risks within assigned cases and consults with People Relations leadership, Legal, and other stakeholders as appropriate. Exercises sound judgment in escalating sensitive or high impact matters to ensure timely and defensible outcomes.
Documentation, Reporting & Continuous Improvement - Maintains accurate and thorough documentation within the case management system and contributes to reporting on employee and labor relations activity, trends, and outcomes. Participates in system-wide initiatives, training efforts, and process improvements to strengthen People Relations practices across DUHS.
Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field is required. Master's degree or professional HR certification (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM- SCP) preferred.
Experience
Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in employee relations, human resources, labor relations, or a related field, including experience conducting investigations and providing consultation to managers on employee relations matters. Experience in a healthcare, academic, or similarly complex organizational environment is preferred.
Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working knowledge of employment laws, HR policies, and employee relations principles.
Ability to conduct investigations of moderate complexity, gather and analyze information, and prepare clear documentation and findings.
Strong interpersonal and consultation skills, with the ability to effectively advise managers and HR partners.
Ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously while meeting established service level expectations.
Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.