Note: This position is open exclusively to candidates currently enrolled in the Hiring Our Heroes Fellows Program. Applications from individuals not participating in the program will not be considered.
About Trupanion
Trupanion is a leading provider of medical insurance for cats and dogs in North America, and a growing provider in Europe. Our mission is to help loving, responsible pet owners budget and care for their pets. We offer a collaborative, casual, and pet-friendly environment where everyone is encouraged to authentically be the best version of themselves.
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About the Fellowship
The Trupanion–Hire Our Heroes Fellowship provides transitioning service members a 12-week, full-time professional experience hosted by Trupanion and paid by the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program. Fellows will work alongside Trupanion’s Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) within Business Operations, gaining exposure to cross-functional project planning, prioritization, and delivery.
Upon successful completion, candidates may be considered for an Employee Relations & Compliance role on our HR team.
Performance will be evaluated at 6 and 12 weeks, with progress measured on initiative, collaboration, project delivery support, and communication.
As an Employee Relations & Compliance Specialist, you will play a vital role in partnering with Managers, People Business Partners, and the Sr. Director of People Business Partners, and internal/external employment Counsel on a variety of employee relations and compliance matters. You will help address complex workplace issues, help resolve conflicts, conduct investigations, and mitigate risk by ensuring the company’s compliance with employment laws and regulations while working to simultaneously maintain positive employee relations with our team members (employees). You will report directly to the Sr. Director, People Business Partners.
The ideal candidate will have a high level of discretion, excellent communication skills, and strong knowledge of U.S and Canadian employment law, and experience in conducting workplace investigations involving both non-exempt and exempt team members, and experience interpreting and applying federal, state, and local employment laws in the U.S., where the majority of the workforce is located.
This position is open to candidates in the Seattle area. You will have a hybrid remote/in-office schedule working from our casual, pet-friendly office at least 3 days a week.
Responsibilities include the following, but are not limited to:
- Partner closely with the People Business Partner team and ensure visibility and input on employee relations matters that you will lead, including but not limited to:
- Investigations into employee complaints, policy violations, and critical incidents, ensuring fair and equitable resolution.
- Mediation between team members and managers to resolve conflict
- Supplement live exit interviews (in addition to reviewing Peakon offboarding exit surveys)
- Advising and supporting management on employee relations matters and best practices.
- Partner with the Talent Acquisition team to support adverse action related to background screens
- Lead the involuntary separation process; prepare manager and partner with them to conduct involuntary separation conversations with team members and coordinate the separation process with facilities and Tech (IT) team
- Compliance:
- Ensure company policies and procedures are implemented and followed effectively to maintain a productive and inclusive work environment.
- Support annual employee handbook/policy updates, partnering with Policy Owner, internal/external Counsel, and HR Operations team to ensure resources are up to date and in compliance
- Assist managers/team members in interpreting policies and procedures
- Stay abreast of emerging employment regulations
- Support ADA Accommodation requests:
- Partner closely with Leave Specialist and Manager(s) on accommodation requests, leading the interactive process to guide managers and facilitate thoughtful, fair, and consistent decisions on accommodation requests that balance team member and business needs
- Ensure PBPs are informed in case other factors should be considered (performance management, etc.)
- Partner with the Learning & Development team, internal/external Counsel to create, lead, or review employee relations and compliance-related training
- Immigration:
- Own oversight of employment-based work permits, acting as liaison with external immigration attorney and team member/manager
- Partner with PBPs, DEI leadership, and Learning & Development to identify themes and areas to improve performance management and other employee relations areas to bolster team member engagement, manager effectiveness, and compliance.
- Provide support with drafting and reviewing performance agreements and coaching managers on how to manage performance issues and concerns.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree – concentrations in business, human resources, or other related fields OR equivalent experience required
- Human Resources professional certification (PHR/SPHR/GPHR, CHRP, or similar programs) is a plus
- 5+ years working in employee relations and managing workplace investigations, or equivalent experience
- Demonstrated strong experience and knowledge in employment law/compliance and employee relations procedures, principles, and processes preferred
- HR Experience in a multi-state and non-exempt hourly workforce in the U.S. and familiarity in Canada preferred
- Certifications: Professional HR certifications, such as SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR a plus
Skills:
- Strong Interpersonal skills, including empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build trust with employees and leaders at all levels of the organization essential.
- The ability to analyze complex situations, synthesize evidence, and use sound judgment to develop and recommend appropriate solutions is critical.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are necessary for conducting investigations, advising management, and mediating disputes.
- A high level of discretion and the ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information with integrity is essential
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Compensation:
- The pay range for this position is $75,000 -$85,000, on a full-time schedule.
- Along with base salary, Trupanion employees may be eligible for monthly bonuses.
- We want all employees to be invested in Trupanion’s success, so we grant Restricted Stock Units to all new team members. Our new hire grants vest over 4 years.
