Senior Employee Relations Partner

Your work days are brighter here.

At Workday, it all began with a conversation over breakfast. When our founders met at a sunny California diner, they came up with an idea to revolutionize the enterprise software market. And when we began to rise, one thing that really set us apart was our culture. A culture which was driven by our value of putting our people first. And ever since, the happiness, development, and contribution of every Workmate is central to who we are. Our Workmates believe a healthy employee-centric, collaborative culture is the essential mix of ingredients for success in business. That’s why we look after our people, communities and the planet while still being profitable. Feel encouraged to shine, however that manifests: you don’t need to hide who you are. You can feel the energy and the passion, it's what makes us unique. Inspired to make a brighter work day for all and transform with us to the next stage of our growth journey? Bring your brightest version of you and have a brighter work day here.

About the Team

Our Employee Relations team, which is part of our broader Talent Services and Employee Experience, is a vital partner to the People Consultant team that supports Workday's employees across the America's region. The Employee Relations team supports Workday's organizational and business objectives by resolving complex employee relations matters across all levels of the organization.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Employee Relations practitioner who is eager to help shape and refine our ER operating model. You will thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, juggling multiple priorities and stakeholders. You will play a critical role in helping to scale and grow the capabilities, processes, and systems that enable Workday to deliver an exceptional experience for all Workmates.

About You

Responsibilities include:

• Driving the implementation of Employee Relations strategies, guidelines, and procedures, including effective communication and guidance for managers and employees. Ensuring consistent application across the organization and within the HR Partner teams.

• Conducting and leading complex, high-risk and/or sensitive confidential investigations related to employee issues and claims, preparing investigative summaries, and making recommendations on next steps and appropriate actions.

• Advising and influencing business leaders and the HR Partner teams through resolving employee relations matters and mitigating risk to the company.

• Identifying, analyzing, and implementing sound resolutions to complex employee relations issues.

• Initiating a proactive, strategic approach to employee relations by identifying and analyzing ER data/metrics for themes, trends, and root cause identification. Sharing findings with key partners to develop and deliver an integrated plan that links to organization and people strategies.

• Establishing, building, and maintaining strong relationships with business groups, including employees, managers, HR, and Legal.

• Effectively anticipating the unintended consequences and broader impact of decisions and recommendations, identifying alternate courses of action, and facilitating gaining alignment with key stakeholders.

• Proactively identifying and anticipating future legal changes and partnering with in-house Employment Counsel to provide options and recommendations.

• Working collaboratively with key stakeholders to assess the impact of policies and practices and making recommendations to address areas of inconsistency or practice improvement.

• Ensuring compliance with all state and federal employment regulations and providing a regular assessment of how the company is doing relative to current regulations and articulating risk in all areas.

Basic Qualifications

• Excellent demonstrable knowledge of current employment law and best practices in Employee Relations policies, principles, and procedures.

• Able to advise a range of stakeholders on Employee Relations issues balancing legal compliance with business need.

• Strong analytical skills, with an ability to analyze information to identify the root causes of problems and propose realistic and practical solutions to address them based on knowledge and understanding of the organization and its operating environment.

• Capable of applying discretion and sound judgment while managing complex processes, decisions, and handling sensitive information.

• Exceptional coaching, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills.

• Extensive expertise in managing complex employee relations issues, including workplace investigations.

• Strong influencing skills leveraging business acumen, expertise, and data.

• Ability to accomplish results and desired outcomes through formal and informal structures.

• Ability to finalize complex investigations quickly to minimize disruption within the organization.

• Advise and influence all levels of management around complex employee relation decisions, e.g. performance management, business conduct, terminations, restructuring, and policies, guidelines, and practices.

• In partnership with our Leadership and Organization Effective team, design leadership modules on management practices based on Employee Relations trends and themes.

Other Qualifications

• 10+ years of HR experience

• 5+ years directly managing complex employee relations issues and conducting investigations end-to-end 

• Global experience preferred

• MBA/MA or JD preferred

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please click here.

Primary Location: USA.CA.Pleasanton

Primary Location Base Pay Range: $135,400 USD - $203,200 USD

Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $111,000 USD - $203,200 USD

Our Approach to Flexible Work
 

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Are you being referred to one of our roles? If so, ask your connection at Workday about our Employee Referral process!