Joan Kusek, PHR

**** ******, ******** ****, ** **212 - 913-***-****

actf1u@r.postjobfree.com

QUALIFICATIONS: PHR Certification, BA Management & Human Relations, 10+ Years Human Resources. Proven track record of implementing effective, problem resolution, cost effective solutions. Specialties: Employee Relations / Start-Ups / Reorganization / Research / Investigation / Documentation and Compliance, Government Contractor Experience. Held Public Trust – Moderate Risk Security Clearance

EXPERIENCE:

Serco – Human Resources Generalist IV / Manager - December 2014 to January 2016 (Due to loss of Federal Government Contract - production document processing center)

Managed and supported two locations in KS and MO for over 600 employees

Performed various complex human resources duties at the Corporate level in areas such a compliance, compensation, benefits, training, employee relations, and other special projects

Provided direction and guidance regarding employment law or company policy to less experienced members of the human resources staff and to management

Mentored, led, and directed the work of the HR staff

Mentored and guided management and supervisors; to better communicate with employees and stay within compliance

Initiated employees meetings and Town Halls; to better communicate and improve employee relations

Researched and provided recommendations by partnering with the Regional Manager of HR, Director of HR, the SVP of HR and Ethics officer to investigate and provide information pertinent to employee grievances or concerns

Worked with Legal staff on complex claims, challenges, and high risk cases

Collaborated with Benefits ADA Administrator and Program Manager to review, provide approval or denial for requests of employees’ through the interactive process for ADA Accommodations

Worked by using hands-on techniques to improve Employee Relations and provide Union Avoidance

Employee liaison in conjunction with benefits in regard to questions and concerns regarding FMLA an STD

Guided Senior Management with suggestions for improvement concerning Employee Relations, fairness and consistency

Revised and updated policies, guidelines, and procedures; working with Operations and Corporate HR

Managed interview career fair to assist the recruiting department; ensuring fairness, clarity and legal compliance

Worked to improve Employee Relations by partnering with the Director of Operations, VP of Operations, and CEO for Town Hall meetings with employees to discuss concerns and answer employee questions

Tracked Disciplinary Actions, ADA Accommodations, and Leave Requests; ensuring next step in disciplinary process and approval where applicable in conjunction with Program Manager

Investigated, documented and researched employee complaints, concerns or issues

Held Open Enrollment meeting to discuss benefit options and what may need to be done due to possible loss of contract

Put together WARN Notice packets, arranged and led meetings to meet with employees to educate on transition

Prepared the office for transition to the new company; prepared files, paperwork and assets to be sent to the Corporate office

Held Public Trust – Moderate Risk Security Clearance through Government

General Dynamics Information Technology (Call Center for global company – supporting over 1600 employees) – Senior Human Resource Generalist - July 2013 to December 2014

Investigated incident reports, Worker Compensation, FMLA, pay, absentee, leave, employee relations issues, harassment, threats, and management concerns

Interviewed internal and external job applicants; collaborate with Senior HR Managers and production managers to chose the right candidate and put together Matrix for hiring requirements

Reviewed applications/resumes; evaluated applicant skills, education and knowledge requirements, interview and make recommendations for hire

Assisted Recruiter with mass recruiting/hiring of 200 to 300 candidates bi-weekly at Workforce Centers and on-site job fairs to achieve mass ramp up goal by mid October; lead processes, review applications/resumes for qualification requirements, trained and supervised supervisors in the interview process and provided information about company to applicants

Investigated delinquent workplace incident reports and updated through Risk Management for Workers Compensation

Navigated candidates through ResumeWare applicant tracking system for government contract requirements, EEOC and Affirmative Action plans; maintain requisitions, train recruiter and other HR staff on functionality, and provided guidance to managers on ResumeWare applications including onboarding and processing for PeopleSoft / Oracle

Worked with Ethics Manager to investigate and resolve employee relations issues

Advised and counseled managers concerning employee relations matters, company policies, procedures, and documentation

Provided recommendation on recruiting and found solutions to applicant tracking system issues

Updated off-site Regional HR Manager concerning any issues or concerns

Setup meetings, distributed WARN notices for reduction of staff and led notice for position changes

Prepared Personnel Action Notices (PANS) and update BPM for Termination and Supervisor changes

Provided in-house training, guidance and direction for Sr. HR Generalist staff partnering with offsite Regional HR Manager

Kerry Ingredients and Flavours (International Food Manufacturer - Contract position through Aerotek)

Human Resources Manager / Representative supporting160 employees– April 2012 to September 2012)

Brought in to clean up struggling HR Department; successfully updated and reorganized HR department to ensure compliance and efficiency; maintaining employee files and procedures

Investigated and resolved employee issues; change agent for positive employee relations

Mentored and coached department managers on policies and provided advice on disciplinary actions

Created/updated new hire processes including orientation, well defined job descriptions, posting job openings

Administered contract staffing, negotiated contracts, resolved payroll issues, ran reports via Kronos for payroll and reviewed vendor invoices; making corrections as necessary

Liaison for employees by investigating/resolving challenges with Employee Benefits by prompt and courteous response

Investigated and provided necessary documentation for unemployment, harassment, DOL and EEOC claims

Participated in Work Comp hearings by providing well documented and relative information resulting in positive employer determinations

Updated/resolved Kronos and Lawson HRIS issues; worked with IT to evaluate and implement changes to address issues relating to time recording, vacation, new pay calculations, dropdown menus, garnishments and benefit withholdings

Entered new employee information and updated data and benefit information into HR/Payroll System

Processed I-9’s through eVerify

Submitted drug screen paperwork and reviewed any discrepancies with vendor and HR Business Unit Manager

Reviewed Kronos for timekeeping errors, updated as necessary, provided information to manager, sent payroll report from Kronos to staffing firms, distributed payroll and assisted Payroll Administrator as needed

Carried out involuntary terminations and conducted exit interviews

LTS Management Services, LLC (Financial Call Center - Contract position through Morgan Hunter)

Human Resources Manager / Generalist supporting 150+ employees and 2 locations- September 2010 to February 2012

Led HR division to revise corporate HR policies and processes

Mentored managers to resolve employee issues, successfully meet employee challenges utilizing hands-on employee relations building techniques; reducing turnover significantly and promoting teamwork at all times

Investigated and administered FMLA, ADA, Title VII and EEOC claims

Worked closely with Corporate General Counsel on heightened employee issues

Developed partnerships with COO, directors, and managers to assess company needs; provided cost effective solutions

Provided guidance on current laws and management techniques to department managers

Partnered with managers to update job titles and “position defined” job descriptions that resulted better-qualified placements

Heavy seasonal recruiting and interviewing for two different locations

Utilized CareerBuilder, LinkedIn, SimplyHired, Dice, Indeed, Craigslist, Universities, Alumni associations, and networking to locate qualified candidates and recruiting firms; sourcing candidates and cold calling

Constructed behavioral interview questions, rating checklists for managers for choosing the right candidate

Analyzed and researched compensation practices to align with company and external pay scales to meet FLSA guidelines

Researched and negotiated with vendors to create testing program that resulted in a cost savings of $10,000 for the employer

Audited I-9s and files for compliance; maintaining file compliance and procedures

Researched, updated and implemented document retention process and policies

Investigated and led unemployment claim administration with 100% success rate

Developed, maintained relationships, and negotiated with staffing firms reducing employer’s costs by 10%

Backed up Benefits Administrator and hosted employee open enrollment and new hire meetings

USOncology/AccessMed - (Healthcare Call Center), Overland Park, KS

Human Resources Generalist II – supporting 150+ employees January 2010 to May 2010

Start-up Human Resources functions; with heavy recruitment; processing candidates through Open Hire (applicant tracking)

Revamped company’s employee orientation process to meet management’s request to decrease time for training

Posted open positions, constructed applicant questions in Open Hire, implemented eSkill testing and trained managers

Audited all files including I-9s to ensure compliance and updated OSHA logs online

Created focus group for employees’ input into Employment Engagement Surveys; discussed and found solutions to issues

Monitored and investigated performance plans and concerns, mentored managers on appropriate documentation

Hosted employee open enrollment and new hire meetings to educate employees on company practices and benefits packages

Investigated and reported on workplace accidents

Entered new hires/changes/terminations into HR/Payroll PeopleSoft system

Developed, maintained, and worked with staffing agencies for payrolling and hiring of temporary staff

Louis Dreyfus Corporation (International Commodities Trading Firm / Biofuels Manufacturer), Kansas City, MO

Human Resources Manager (Regional) – supporting 200+ employees and 4 locations August 2007 to May 2009

Start-up and management of HR functions for LDC’s three 24/7 Biofuels energy manufacturing plants (Ethanol & Biodiesel) in NE, IA and IN and the KC regional Commodities trading and administrative office; traveling to out-of-state office as needed

Created and implemented new regional HR division; instrumental in all HR start-up functions from heavy recruitment to complete on-boarding (job requisitions, job descriptions, postings to career boards and job specific organizations, recruiting, applicant tracking through Open-Hire for “Government Contractor” for full EEO / AAP compliance,

Created questions in Open-Hire, addressed glitches in system with IT, provided solutions to Open Hire issues, tracked and updated headcount

Worked with hiring managers for position specific job descriptions

Full recruitment process; arranged recruiting efforts in four states via job fairs, open houses, virtual and on campus college recruitment, radio advertising, newspaper and internet postings, created, scheduled, and conducted behavioral interviews

Utilized internet, local and international resources targeting skills specific to the industry; setting up local job fairs and virtual career fairs at distant Universities and Colleges and networking industry contacts, trade groups, alumni and employees

Effectively filled open positions; tracking headcount and adjusting as needed

Conducted regular follow-up with mangers to determine effectiveness of recruiting plans and implementation

Submitted background check requests to vendors, monitored background progression, and interpreted results

Utilized hands-on approach via travel to plants for employee relationship building; nurtured and built positive rapport between manufacturing sites and corporate

Created, interpreted and implemented policies to ensure fairness and consistency; reviewing corrective actions and mentoring managers on appropriateness of actions

Led unemployment investigations and hearings with high success rate of 90%

Worked with corporate counsel to address complex issues

Provided information regarding benefits; PTO, 401(k), FMLA, FLSA, STD, LTD and WC (Limited Duty, Return-to-Work)

Researched and met with multi-state safety equipment vendors to negotiate discounts, increased employee options, and set maximum company out-of-pocket obligation; significantly decreasing costs to company by $100 to $300 per employee

Developed, maintained, and worked with staffing agencies to assist with staffing

Olathe District Schools Food Services (Food Production / Distribution), Olathe, KS

Human Resources Coordinator – supporting 300+ employees and 42 locations January 2005 to August 2007

Managed and directed HR functions for the Food Services Division in a Production/Warehouse /Distribution environment

Processed all on-boarding, postings, recruitment, background checks, paperwork, orientation and open enrollment

Recruited and attended job fairs and Workforce Centers for expanded recruiting for current and future openings; sourcing candidates from CareerBuilder, churches, community centers and retired workers

Hosted open enrollment meetings; assisting employees making changes in insurance companies’ online self-service system

Assisted with Wellness program and encouraged employee participation

Developed and led “Brain Storming” & “Teambuilding” sessions to increase employee engagement and positive employee relations. Implement “Work Smarter/Not Harder” working side-by-side employees to better understand employee concerns

Designed and implemented cross training, succession planning and anti-harassment training, facilitated employee conflict resolution and crisis intervention for employees and management

Investigated, complied documentation, trained and provided recommendations to supervisors, managers and directors for corrective actions, FMLA, Workers Compensation, Limited Duty, Return-to-Work, STD and terminations

Coached and provided advice to management on job performance improvement, succession planning and disciplinary actions

Represented food services division at unemployment, EEOC and Workers Compensation hearings with a 90 % success rate

Tracked and analyzed absenteeism and tardiness; educated managers and employees on the importance of being at work, reduced absentee and tardiness issues by 15%

Updated and improved recruiting sections of company website; increasing candidate interest

Created and updated job descriptions, reorganized files and maintained files for compliance and audited I-9s

Assisted District with implementation of Kronos time tracking; providing advice on features needed

Researched and completed salary survey questionnaires and analyzing compensation; making recommendations for needed adjustments

EDUCATION/TRAINING/ MEMBERSHIP/ AFFLIATIONS / COMPUTER SKILLS

BA – Management & Human Relations – MidAmerica Nazarene University

Current PHR and SHRM-CP Certification

Continuous HR training through SHRM and other HR related organizations

Member: SHRM, SHRMJC (continuous HR training through these organizations)

Awards – The Candy Award (Serco – for going above and beyond)

Computer Skills: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Visio, Lotus Notes, ADP, E-Time, Deltek, Report Smith, SAP, SAP GUI, Gate Keeper (security), Open-Hire and ResumeWare (Applicant Tracking), KRONOS, Lawson, PeopleSoft, Risk Management (Work Comp), Guardian, Oracle, ETS, and BPM

Contact this candidate