Sr. Manager, Employee Relations

OPENTEXT

OpenText is a global leader in information management, where innovation, creativity, and collaboration are the key components of our corporate culture. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to partner with the most highly regarded companies in the world, tackle complex issues, and contribute to projects that shape the future of digital transformation.

The Opportunity

Part of the Global Employee Relations team, reporting to the Senior Director of Employee Relations, the Senior Manager Employee Relations is a key member of the newly developed Employee Relations Centre of Excellence in India. This role is hybrid with 3 days in the Bangalore office.

The Senior Manager Employee Relations Senior Manager will provide coaching, consulting, expertise and mentorship to Leaders, HR staff, and employees on Employee Relations matters such as performance management, offboarding, policy management, grievance/investigations management, leave management, HR Legal matters, compliance and accommodation, in support of the Employee Relations centralized team model. The Senior Manager Employee Relations will also lead in the development of training, tools, templates, processes and reference materials, or other projects in support of the ER Centre of Excellence function. They will participate in the interviewing, selection, onboarding, training, coaching and evaluating of team members. They will be a subject matter experts with a high level of expertise in India Employment Legislation and practices, including POSH.

What You'll Do

• Coach, mentor, evaluate and manage members of the India Employee Relations team.
• Consult with Leaders on performance cases, assisting them with delivering feedback in an objective manner that is intended to motivate employees to improve, while also providing solid documentation for performance cases.
• Mainly in a lead capacity, investigate issues by assembling investigation team, gathering all relevant facts, interviewing critical witnesses, reviewing similar cases, and using knowledge, judgment and experience, to recommend course of action to leadership; assisting with the implementation of corrective actions and/or disciplinary procedures
• Handle complex and emotionally charged issues with composure, addressing situations objectively and without bias.
• Mediate issues between employees to minimize workplace conflict.
• Take the lead on India policy management including drafting new policies and/or making improvements and edit to existing policies to respond to changes in the work environment or legal landscape.
• Oversee complex leave situations and legally required accommodations in collaboration with HR Shared Services, Benefits and other relevant parties, to ensure leaves are handled in accordance with policies, practices and that communication is clear for all parties, including the return to work process.
• Partnering with Legal and in collaboration with relevant HR parties and the business, will analyze facts, provide input and recommend course of action to achieve resolution of HR Legal matters that may arise.
• Interpret and apply applicable labor and employment laws in India and other countries in the region as the ER COE continues to grow
• Assist Leaders with diagnosing and resolving issues through proper questioning techniques, active listening skills and risk assessment.
• Lead the India HR compliance-based responsibilities in alignment with the OpenText global governance framework.
• Deeply understand and apply Company policy/procedure/best practices and applicable law while consulting with Leaders, to reduce risk to the Company.
• Collaborate with internal legal counsel on issues as appropriate and external legal when approved and necessary.
• Monthly & quarterly reporting on Employee Relations matters, interpreting data and making recommendations for positive change in the work environment.
• Establish and maintain credibility throughout the organization and ensure strict adherence to confidentiality and sensitivity in handling all aspects of private data and confidential matters across the HR team and organizationally.
  
  

What It Takes

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent HR experience.
• 12+ years HR experience with a particular focus, emphasis and strength in Employee Relations.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, including in English, with the ability to utilize exceptional active listening skills to determine issues and formulate and ask appropriate follow up questions.
• Demonstrated ability to handle difficult or volatile situations/individuals effectively and to mediate in situations where required.
• Ability to conduct investigations in a neutral and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Effective at managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines, ability to prioritize conflicting demands, organize time, collaborate with and lead resources to deliver consistent results and bring initiatives to successful completion.
• Excellent ability to analyze difficult and complex situations with a proven track record of recommending optimal solutions.
• Experience effectively managing, mentoring, developing and coaching partners and team members
• Highly self-motivated and able to work autonomously while instinctively keeping all relevant parties properly informed.
• High level of expertise/knowledge and understanding of India Employment Law – bonus if knowledge of Philippines
• Strong Business Acumen with experience working as part of a large global organization.
• High degree of business ethics and transparency.
• SHRM-SCP or similar certification would be an asset.
  
  

OpenText's efforts to build an inclusive work environment go beyond simply complying with applicable laws. Our Employment Equity and Diversity Policy provides direction on maintaining a working environment that is inclusive of everyone, regardless of culture, national origin, race, color, gender, gender identification, sexual orientation, family status, age, veteran status, disability, religion, or other basis protected by applicable laws.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please contact us at hr@opentext.com. Our proactive approach fosters collaboration, innovation, and personal growth, enriching OpenText's vibrant workplace.