Employee Relations Support Specialist

Kathleen A. Straley, MSW, LSW

** ******* ****** ****, *******, NJ 08827

************@*****.*** * 908-***-****

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS INVESTIGATOR AND MANAGER

Strategic thinker with a proven track record of managing challenges while bringing creative ideas and solutions to support organizational change by developing and nurturing leaders and managers.

Hybrid and remote expertise in complex employee investigations. Recognized for developing employee relations / workplace violence training and lead trainer accomplishments. Highly skilled in team leadership, staff development, coaching, and building trusted relationships. Analytical thinker, empathetic and compassionate while working remotely in ambiguous and evolving environments.

QUALIFICATION SUMMARY

Proficient in conducting workplace violence investigations, contract and policy interpretation, conflict management, conflict resolution, corrective and progressive discipline.

Strong management skills with demonstrated success at developing and implementing solutions to improve business processes.

Proven subject matter expert with excellent problem solving, analytical and organizational skills.

Expertise in mitigating complex issues, collaboration, and negotiation.

Cultivates relationships, influences and motivates teams to achieve aggressive goals.

Liaise with collective bargaining units to promote positive and productive working relationships.

Ability to synthesize information to support litigation.

Effective communicator with excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.

Provide support for the interactive process, employee leaves and accommodations.

Promoted employee safety and well-being simultaneous to making recommendations and decisions for discipline and administrative actions.

Created a work culture that valued equity, diversity and inclusion while recognizing individuality.

COMPETENCIES / SKILLS

Employee Relations Investigations * Critical Thinking * Staff Development * Emotional Intelligence

Leadership * Manages Human Resources * Training * Performance Assessment * Management Coach

Workplace Violence Investigations * Negotiation * Mediation * Arbitration * Grievances * Administrative Hearings * Corrective Actions * Onboarding Staff * Curriculum Development Team Building * Recruitment/Retention * Budget Management * HR Acuity * Zoom/MS Teams/Skype/WhatsApp

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Swoon Staffing, 300 Wacker Dr. #2650, Chicago, Illinois 60606 3/27/2022 – 5/16/2022

Employee Relations Business Partner for LinkedIn (remote)

Temporary assignment investigating global employee issues with a completion rate of 100% prior to deadlines.

NJ Department of Children and Families, PO Box 717, Trenton, NJ 08625 4/01/2014 – 1/01/2022

Employee Relations Investigator/Coordinator (remote 2 years)

Supported a regional Employee Relations Department (7+ years) representing 500+ staff.

Successfully mediated and settled over 95% of complex employee matters.

Kathleen A. Straley, MSW, LSW *908-***-**** * ************@*****.*** page 2

Developed workplace violence training and delivered to 100% of all new staff.

Completed workplace violence, ethics, and employee investigations with an objective view and made fair and equitable recommendations 100% of the time.

Prepared summary briefs for arbitration.

Developed and standardized witness preparation outlines for 100% of cases.

Prepared witnesses for testimony at hearings and arbitration via Zoom, Teams and WhatsApp.

Served as liaison to collective bargaining units which demonstrated integrity and trust.

Decision maker for 100% of corrective and disciplinary actions.

Developed, trained and gave presentations to 100% of staff including supervisors and managers.

Consulted and provided guidance to managers (average 25 times per week) on workplace concerns, confidential information, behavior and performance concerns.

Local Office Manager - Selected Executive Service 7/15/2000 – 3/31/2014

Successfully managed cross-functional teams (13+ years) representing 250+ staff.

Completed master’s level Capstone project for onboarding 100% of managers and all staff.

Managed staffing levels for various organizational units.

Analyzed data for specific initiatives and captured lessons learned.

Developed performance improvement plans resulting in 85% employee improvement.

Liaison to contract providers and stakeholders.

Managed local office budgets and developed internal controls that ensured expenses did not exceed allocations 100% of the time.

Used data metrics to support the employee improvement process and to provide employees with a fair and honest measurement of performance 100% of the time.

Utilized 100% of benchmarks to evaluate case practice for performance assessments, employee evaluations and corrective/disciplinary actions.

Developed and implemented annual operational plans and managed special projects.

Supervising Program Support Specialist 5/01/1999 – 7/14/2000

Supervised a Regional Office of 45+ staff responsible for developing resources.

Lead the development of two programs designed to provide stability to children and families.

Contributor to policy development and implementation.

Developed and managed contracts with service providers.

Participated in quality assurance reviews and completed needs assessments.

Restructured teams to streamline service delivery utilizing existing staff and within budget.

EDUCATION

Master of Social Work in Administration, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Bachelor of Social Work, Kean University, Union, NJ

CERTIFICATIONS

Public Sector Labor Relations Certificate – Rutgers University of Management and Labor

Certified Social Work Manager – Academy of Certified Social Workers

Licensed Social Worker – State of New Jersey

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