Human Resources Manager

Karen Swolfs, CHRL Human Resources Partner

Toronto, ON L5R 1Y1 • 647-***-**** *******@******.*** www.linkedin.com/in/karen-swolfs-chrl-52552516

Versatile and accomplished Senior Human Resources Partner with a proven record of effectively translating organizational visions and business goals into value-added HR initiatives, policies and programs

A proactive hands-on advisor and leader with over 15 years’ experience and cross-functional expertise to successfully utilize HR as a resource to improve organizational development and performance.

Extensive experience with analysis and implementation of efficiencies in benefits, payroll, travel program, streamline compensation structure.

Create and conduct robust staff training to encourage professional development and positive employee engagement and teamwork Team Building sessions; Creating Strong Team Dynamic; Performance Management; Progressive Discipline; Resolving Workplace Conflict; Positive Recognition; Respect in the Workplace.

An analytical problem solver, with demonstrated ability to apply sound judgment in complex, ambiguous situations. Strong mediation skills to effectively resolve disputes.

Expert in compensation and benefits, employee relations, union negotiations and grievance resolution.

Extensive experience collecting/analyzing data in areas of recruitment (time to hire), turnover, implementing improvements.

Ensure legal and regulatory compliance, and utilize strong investigative skills to minimize corporate risk and financial exposure. Investigate and successfully resolve complex MOL and human-rights claims, and employment litigation.

Significant HR experience across industries, including professional services, retail, industrial, technology, and non-profit sectors.

Key Skills and Expertise

Payroll, Benefits & Pensions

Team Building & Recruitment

Business-HR Partnerships

Compensation Strategies

Training & Staff Succession

Organizational Development

Employee Retention

Motivation & Engagement

Accounting & Budgets

Health & Safety

Negotiation & Mediation

Strategic Planning

Labour Relations (LR)

Performance Monitoring

Compliance & Legal Issues

Technical Proficiencies: ADP Pay at Work/People at Work, Performance Pack, Report Writer, Pay Expert, Payday 3.0, Pay Specialist, Ceridian PayFlex, Insync, JD Edwards, HRIS

Professional Experience

Cynergy Mechanical • Toronto, ON • 2018 – present (contract)

SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

Hands-on HR partner supporting day to day needs of mechanical services company.

Full responsibility for recruiting skilled trades and senior management.

Execute HR initiatives including recruitment and retention strategies, health & safety program improvements.

Source and secure skilled trades funding.

Carillion (formerly Compass Group Canada) • Toronto, ON • 2013 - 2018

SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

Manage HR-business partnership at major facilities-management corporation. Provide expert HR and LR guidance and recommendations to company’s managers nationwide. Create and implement business solutions based on analysis of HR metrics, emerging trends, and impacts on corporate requirements and goals. Initiate interactive training programs to foster effective handling of performance management, employee engagement, conflict-resolution, and harassment issues.

Chosen as HR subject matter expert (SME) during corporate acquisition of Compass Group by Carillion. Provided expert guidance to assure effective role of HR in transition.

Resolved prior problems between labour and management by introducing employee-relations and communication programs.

Full responsibility for managing over 20 collective agreements with 4 unions including successful resolution of grievances, arbitrations, negotiations.

Reduced internal conflicts, improved communication, and enhanced performance by designing and implementing performance-management training.

Effectively oversee LR. Advise on collective bargaining agreements, employment legislation, staff discipline, and issues related to terminations, accommodation programs, return-to-work, attendance and disability.

Reduce corporate exposure to risk. Perform thorough risk-analysis to review issues and situations in context of corporate objectives, legalities and business costs.

Manage succession planning though recruitment, training and development of high-potential leaders.

Loblaw • Ottawa, ON • 2012 - 2013

HUMAN RESOURCES & LABOUR RELATIONS MANAGER

Directed and implemented HR and LR policies and strategies for 1,000 unionized employees at four locations of leading food and pharmacy retailer. Managed union relations. Negotiated collective labour agreements. Investigated grievances and disputes. Increased employee retention and engagement. Collaborated on health and safety programs, Handled WSIB claims and accommodations. Initiated open-door environment that fostered positive dialogues and teamwork.

Led development of cohesive relationship with union, including mending fractured relations from previous HR.

Reduced turnover by 15% by managing HR partnerships, and implementing effective recruitment strategies and onboarding program.

Led collaborative initiatives to create and implement action-oriented strategies to address issues identified in employee-engagement survey.

Provided expert HR guidance to management on conflict resolution, performance management and disciplinary actions.

Capital Benefit • Ottawa, ON • 2009 - 2012

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT

Partnered with small to mid-sized businesses clients to develop HR infrastructure and resource planning. Created and implemented HR policies and procedures in compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices., Made recommendations to clients for cost-effective solutions

Designed a comprehensive HR audit platform to examine strategies, policies, procedures and documentation, systems. Created best-practices benchmarks to assess strengths, risks and liabilities.

Created auditing action plans to reduce risk and liability, and correct inefficiencies and legislative compliance issues.

Provided hands-on guidance to clients to resolve health and safety issues, and achieve success in Workwell audits.

Designed interactive eLearning courses, and developed curriculum to train diverse audiences.

Cactus Commerce • Ottawa, ON • 2006 - 2009

HUMAN RESOURCES OPERATIONS MANAGER

Managed HR operations, payroll, benefits and corporate travel program for 300 Canadian and US employees of company that provides digital marketing services. Compiled annual payroll data to comply with government R&D and training reporting requirements.

Effectively coordinated and directed complex implementation of payroll and benefits for US employees across 15 states.

Created and managed comprehensive payroll conversion and self-serve LOA tracking system during multi-company merger.

Identified and recovered $20,000 in benefit contribution overpayments by initiating a benefits audit.

Initiated savings of $250,000 per year by implementing an efficient and accountable corporate-travel program and policy.

Improved alignment of projects to business strategy and resources by initiating comprehensive project-portfolio management solution.

Previous Experience: Food Service Manager at Compass Group. Office Manager at Contract Furniture Source. Office Manager at Follett of Canada. Benefits Consultant at Aon Consulting. (Details on Request.)

Education & Certification

Human Resource Management (Honours) - Algonquin College

Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) - Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA)

Contact this candidate