WENDY D. BACKUS

**** * ******

LITTLE ROCK, AR **205

501-***-****

ac7eix@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

● Experienced HR professional with 12+ years of progressive strategic business partner experience

● Credible and trusted partner to senior leadership in key areas of employee relations including conflict resolution, employment law compliance, policy interpretation, talent management, and training

● Excellent verbal and written communication skills

● Extensive knowledge of federal, state and local employment law including ADA, FMLA, ADEA, FLSA, etc.

● Strong leadership skills with proven ability to delegate, manage and motivate small teams of employees

● Highly analytical thinker with ability to problem solve in complex and challenging environments

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences - Little Rock, AR HR Manager - Faculty and Academic Services

(June, 2008 - February, 2018)

● Compensation administration for staff within the College of Medicine; completes the annual compensation salary survey for Association of American Medical Colleges

● Investigated employee relations issues and advised managers on how to effectively resolve issues through employee counseling, coaching, and performance development

● Conducts weekly meetings with respective business managers 1

● Consults with senior leadership providing HR expertise and guidance when appropriate

● Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with the HR group to develop solutions, programs and policies

● Manages and resolves complex employee relations issues. Conducts effective, thorough and objective investigations

● Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Partners with the legal department as needed/required

● Works closely with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale and increase productivity and retention

● Provides HR policy guidance and interpretation

● Develops contract terms for new hires, promotions and transfers

● Provides guidance and input on business unit restructures, workforce planning and succession planning

Alltel, Inc. - Little Rock, AR

Staff Manager - Corporate Benefits

(May, 1997 - April, 2008)

● Developed and implemented corporate HR/Benefit policies and procedures as they related to Health and Welfare (medical. dental, vision, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance) and retirement savings plans (401(k), profit sharing and pension plans)

● Assisted with the design and development of a web-based tool where approximately 425 new employees each month could enroll in benefits and around 120 existing employees could make changes to benefits; ensured compliance with benefits policies and procedures

● Utilized complex HRIS 8.3 system to track over 16,000 employees in HR database for transferring data into an Excel spreadsheet for reports and recommendations to Vice President of Corporate Benefits as to the efficacy of the new benefit enrollment system for field HR Managers

● Streamlined and managed a system for processing Qualified Medical Child Support Orders maintaining integrity of compliance with federal and state laws

● Reviewed and researched ERISA appeals from employees and made recommendations to the VP of Corporate Benefits regarding whether appeal met conditions of approval or denial

2

Healthsouth, Inc. - Little Rock, AR

HR Manager - Southeast Division

(September, 1992 - May, 1997)

● Multi-District HR management for 275 employees in 8 districts

● Designed and implemented an Access database to track productivity of 125 statewide employees in 8 different districts as well as the productivity of 56 client facilities

● Managed regional billing office and supervised the billing team consisting of 5 Billing Specialists including Billing Manager, which processed approximately

$250,0000 in Medicare claims monthly

● Established and maintained clinic’s Medicare provider number for billing speech, occupational and physical therapy services claims; prepared response to annual inspections to maintain provider number

● Delivered annual training to 8 District Managers on current HR law and hiring guidelines

● Assisted and advised District Managers regarding disciplinary actions and exit interviews in compliance with state and federal regulatory guidelines EDUCATION

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Bachelors of Arts

Double Major: English and History

3

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