Employee Relations Subject Matter Expert and Human Resources SME
Resume:
Kathleen Carter Stiggers
Current Location – San Antonio, TX
Supplier Summary:
Master of Arts in Counseling with 20+years of experience as an Employee Relations Manager, Training Coordinator, and Advisor with extensive experience conducting thorough employee relations investigations and providing recommendations to management using proven methods, thinking out of the box, and utilizing Strong Employee Relation Skillsets. I have experience in applying equitable applications of organization policies and procedures and when consulting with leaders and providing employee relations guidance. Continually ensuring that decisions are in line with state and federal compliance laws. I Carried out workplace investigations for all levels to include discrimination, harassment, Title VII and Title IX, Workplace harassment, hostile work environments, unsafe working conditions, and implemented progressive disciplinary action up to and including terminations. I Collaborated with Legal Affairs, HR business partners, Compliances, EOS, and Leave Administration to ensure that all policies, laws, and processes are followed. Utilized listening skills and extensive knowledge of the Legal Laws for employment, HIPPA Laws, FMLA Laws, Workers Comp, ADA rights of employees, and all aspects of Employment Law. Unemployment SME (Subject Matter Expert) with a 93% Win rate overall.
EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Counseling/Psychology
Bachelors, in human services (Criminology Specialist) with A Minor in Business Administration
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Employee Relations
Unemployment
EEO
Training Coordinator
Legal Affairs
HR Business Partners
HPPA laws
FMLA laws
MS office
Word
Excel
Powerpoint
PeopleSoft
Covid-19
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Novartis, East Hanover NJ Contracted through, Saviance Technologies July 2022- Contract ends Sept 2022 EOM
US Pharma Local Matters Investigations Contractor, Pharma P&O People Operations
Carried out workplace investigations for all levels to include discrimination, harassment
Conducted comprehensive investigations and provided recommendations to management through proven methods by thinking out of the box and utilizing Strong Employee Relation Skillsets. Utilized information obtained to determine the appropriate resolution based on the facts obtained.
Workplace harassment, hostile work environments, unsafe working conditions and implement progressive disciplinary action up to and including terminations.
Extensive knowledge of state and federal employment law requirements, i.e., FMLA, EEO, ADAAA
Working to ensure legal and labor laws are followed and carried out according to requirements.
Counsels and provides partnership to employees and all levels of management on matters in alignment with our practices, policies, and local labor legislation.
Provide guidance and expertise to site leaders/managers on cases and concerns occurring in the workplace.
Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN Oct 2021 – Contract ends 06/30/2022
COVID-19 Accommodation Partner, Employee Relations (through a Staffing agency, 3points solutions)
Carried out workplace investigations for all levels to include discrimination, harassment
Workplace harassment, hostile work environments, unsafe working conditions and implement progressive disciplinary action up to and including terminations.
Extensive knowledge of state and federal employment law requirements, i.e., FMLA, EEO, ADAAA
Counsels and provides partnership to employees and all levels of management on COVID-related accommodation matters in alignment with our practices, policies, and local labor legislation.
Provide guidance and expertise to site leaders/managers on COVID accommodation cases and concerns occurring in the workplace.
Handles COVID accommodation matters, religious and medical accommodations.
Identifies, responds to, and resolves employee relations issues, lawsuits, and other legal action by investigating charges and employee complaints, offering solutions for resolving situations, writing position statements, coaching, and advising managers on actions required, and appropriately working with the Company’s legal counsel to respond to formal EEOC charges, inquiries, and other legal action
Ensures Company compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to employee records and documents by managing compliance with procedures for collecting, storing, and retrieving team member employment records, conducting routine audits to ensure files are complete and up-to-date, and overseeing the on-going administration and access of employee records as needed to meet specific business needs
UTSA, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX Feb 2012- Sept 2020
Employee Relations Advisor II and Human Resources Generalist
Unemployment Subject Matter Expert for all claims, hearings, and the liaison to Equifax as they were the vendor that our claims were filtered through. Ensuring that employment actions and recommendations are in accordance with employment laws, regulations, and company policies.
Coached and developed leaders to ensure progressive discipline and terminations had the supporting documentation from the coaching and development to the progressive discipline to assist with winning the unemployment claim.
Specialist in ensuring that supervisors, managers, VPs, and the President’s Office understood the difference between conduct and performance issues. As performance issues are often paid by unemployment.
Prepared witnesses for unemployment hearings to ensure a higher win rate.
Carried out workplace investigations for all levels to include discrimination, harassment, Title VII and Title IX, Workplace harassment, hostile work environments, unsafe working conditions, and implemented progressive disciplinary action up to and including terminations.
Conducted comprehensive investigations and provided recommendations to management through proven methods by thinking out of the box and utilizing Strong Employee Relation Skillsets. Utilized information obtained to determine the appropriate resolution based on the facts obtained.
Worked closely with management and employees of all levels to improve working relationships, build morale, increase productivity, and identify ways to retain employees.
Created Training and trained employees at all levels on Diversity, AAP (Affirmative Action), Sexual Harassment, Unfair Labor Practices, and various topics as they relate to fair labor practices.
Collaborated with Legal Affairs, HR business partners, Compliances, EOS, and Leave Administration to ensure that all policies, laws, and processes are followed. Utilized listening skills and extensive knowledge of the Legal Laws for employment, HIPPA Laws, FMLA Laws, Workers Comp, ADA rights of employees, and all aspects of Employment Law.
Coached and guided all levels of management including Vice Presidents on specific verbiage to use when responding to emails and complaints from internal employees.
Acted as a liaison with the Legal teams to address cases that may result in potential legal action. Implemented processes that are consistent to avoid gaps that leave companies open to litigation.
JP Morgan Chase, San Antonio, TX Nov 2010 - Apr 2012
Employee Relations-Call Center Manager
Related to all types of people and making them feel comfortable while making sure that they clearly understand what is expected of them and required.
Conducted employee relations investigations and implemented progressive disciplinary action up to and including terminations.
Coached leaders through the progressive disciplinary process to identify the risk factors and the proper process to follow to minimize the possibilities of employees being able to win claims of wrongful termination.
Attend termination meetings to support the process and ensure that employees do not become disruptive. Skilled in controlling the meetings to ensure that the termination process is uneventful.
Identifies, responds to, and resolves employee relations issues, lawsuits, and other legal action by investigating charges and employee complaints, offering solutions for resolving situations, writing position statements, coaching, and advising managers on actions required, and appropriately working with the Company’s legal counsel to respond to formal EEOC charges, inquiries, and other legal action
Ensures Company compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to employee records and documents by managing compliance with procedures for collecting, storing, and retrieving team member employment records, conducting routine audits to ensure files are complete and up-to-date, and overseeing the on-going administration and access of employee records as needed to meet specific business needs
Transcom USA, San Antonio, TX Sept 2009 - Mar 2010
Human Resources and Employee Relations Manager
Coached leaders through the progressive disciplinary process to identify the risk factors and the proper process to follow to minimize the possibilities of employees being able to win claims of wrongful termination.
Mediate cases for the company at the EEOC when claims were made against the company for wrongful termination or unlawful hiring practices.
Provide leadership direction for the Employee Relations areas. Lead and managed the HR professionals which included daily interaction with direct reports, providing training and work direction, and reviewing work products to ensure a high degree of accuracy and efficiency.
Unemployment Subject Matter Expert for all claims, hearings, and the liaison to Equifax as they were the vendor that our claims were filtered through.
Coached and developed leaders to ensure progressive discipline and terminations had the supporting documentation from the coaching and development to the progressive discipline to assist with winning the unemployment claim.
Provides input into the development of annual goals, budgets, and initiatives for the Employee Relations & Performance team that align with the Company’s talent management vision and long-term strategy, and develops tactical business plans for achieving targeted benchmarks and performance goals
Identifies, responds to, and resolves employee relations issues, lawsuits, and other legal action by investigating charges and employee complaints, offering solutions for resolving situations, writing position statements, coaching, and advising managers on actions required, and appropriately working with the Company’s legal counsel to respond to formal EEOC charges, inquiries, and other legal action
Ensures Company compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to employee records and documents by managing compliance with procedures for collecting, storing, and retrieving team member employment records, conducting routine audits to ensure files are complete and up-to-date, and overseeing the on-going administration and access of employee records as needed to meet specific business needs
Partner with internal and external legal counsel while managing employment and labor claims (i.e., position statements, mediations, and settlement negotiations).
Carried out workplace investigations including discrimination, harassment, Title VII and Title IX, Workplace harassment, hostile work environments, unsafe working conditions and implemented progressive disciplinary action up to and including terminations.
Responded to and frequently won unemployment claims and hearings filed by employees that have been terminated for cause or left voluntarily.
West Business Services, San Antonio TX July 2005 - Sept 2009
Employee Relations / Training Coordinator
Subject matter expert on training class “Tools for Managing Progressive Discipline and Corrective Action.
Created Training and trained employees at all levels on Diversity, AAP (Affirmative Action), Sexual Harassment, Unfair Labor Practices, and various topics as they relate to fair labor practices.
Unemployment Subject Matter Expert for all claims, hearings, and the liaison to Equifax as they were the vendor that our claims were filtered through.
Coached and developed leaders to ensure progressive discipline and terminations had the supporting documentation from the coaching and development to the progressive discipline to assist with winning the unemployment claim.
Specialist in ensuring that supervisors, managers, and VPs understood the difference between conduct and performance issues. As performance issues are often paid by unemployment.
Prepared witnesses for unemployment hearings to ensure a higher win rate.
Provides input into the development of annual goals, budgets, and initiatives for the Employee Relations & Performance team that align with the Company’s talent management vision and long-term strategy, and develops tactical business plans for achieving targeted benchmarks and performance goals
Identifies, responds to, and resolves employee relations issues, lawsuits, and other legal action by investigating charges and employee complaints, offering solutions for resolving situations, writing position statements, coaching, and advising managers on actions required, and appropriately working with the Company’s legal counsel to respond to formal EEOC charges, inquiries, and other legal action
Ensures Company compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to employee records and documents by managing compliance with procedures for collecting, storing, and retrieving team member employment records, conducting routine audits to ensure files are complete and up-to-date, and overseeing the on-going administration and access of employee records as needed to meet specific business needs
Redcats USA, San Antonio, TX Jan. 1999-July 2005
Team Development Leader/Associate
Coordinated new hire paperwork, background screenings, and new hire orientation meeting
Created and maintained positive working relationships with relevant stakeholders
Coached leaders through the progressive disciplinary process to identify the risk factors and the proper process to follow to minimize the possibilities of employees being able to win claims of wrongful termination.
Mediate cases for the company at the EEOC when claims were made against the company for wrongful termination or unlawful hiring practices.
Provide leadership direction for the Employee Relations areas. Lead and managed the HR professionals which included daily interaction with direct reports, providing training and work direction, and reviewing work products to ensure a high degree of accuracy and efficiency.
AT&T Inc. San Antonio, TX. July 1980-Dec 2001
Human Resources/Employee Relations-Call Center Manager
Coached leaders through the progressive disciplinary process to identify the risk factors and the proper process to follow to minimize the possibilities of employees being able to win claims of wrongful termination.
Carried out workplace investigations including discrimination, harassment, Title VII and Title IX, Workplace harassment, hostile work environments, unsafe working conditions and implemented progressive disciplinary action up to and including terminations.
Mediated complaints received through the EEOC when claims are filed against the company, and I did not lose one EEOC claim in my professional career.
Responded to and frequently won unemployment claims and hearings filed by employees that have been terminated for cause or left voluntarily.
Facilitated all pre-employment screening, hiring, orientations, training, disciplinary actions, and dismissals.
Provided daily guidance, coaching, and support to management regarding employee relations issues and interpretation and compliance of employment law.
Identifies, responds to, and resolves employee relations issues, lawsuits, and other legal action by investigating charges and employee complaints, offering solutions for resolving situations, writing position statements, coaching, and advising managers on actions required, and appropriately working with the Company’s legal counsel to respond to formal EEOC charges, inquiries, and other legal action
Ensures Company compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to employee records and documents by managing compliance with procedures for collecting, storing, and retrieving team member employment records, conducting routine audits to ensure files are complete and up-to-date, and overseeing the on-going administration and access of employee records as needed to meet specific business needs
VOLUNTEER WORK:
Prior 3rd Vice President for 6 years of the San Antonio Branch of the NAACP
Hospitality Chairperson and Community Relations Director for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, San Antonio
Charter member of the NCNW (National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (Ruth Jones McClendon Section) since August 2010. 2020,2021,2022 Red Shoe Fund raising chairperson.
Member of the D-2 Strong Community Leadership Committee and volunteer secretary.
Awards:
April 2019, Recipient of the UTSA President’s Distinguished Diversity, and Inclusion Award
2018 UTSA Graduate School Award of Excellence for Outstanding Dedicated Service to the Graduate School Community.
2018 Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Appreciation for supporting Equity, Love, Diversity, Unity, and Social Justice.
Recipient of the Baptist Health Care Foundation Scholarship
Nominated for the Master of Arts Counseling Scholarship
Volunteer Awards from the City of San Antonio Police Department for policing as a Victim Advocate
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