Employee Relations Partner

Trupanion is a leading provider of medical insurance for cats and dogs in North America. Our mission is to help loving, responsible pet owners budget and care for their pets. At Trupanion, we offer a collaborative, casual, and pet-friendly environment where everyone is encouraged to be themselves.

As an Employee Relations Partner, you will play a vital role in partnering with Managers, People Business Partners (PBPs), 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 conflict, 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 highly level of discretion, excellent communication skills, and strong knowledge of U.S and Canada employment law along with 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 workforce is located. 

This position is open to candidates in the Seattle area. You will have a hybrid remote/in-office schedule where you will work from our casual, pet-friendly office at least 3 days a week. 

Responsibilities include the following but are not limited to: 

• Partner closely with 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 Talent Acquisition team to support on adverse action related to background screens 
• Lead the involuntary separation process; prepare manager and partner with them to conduct involuntary separation conversation with team members and coordinate 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 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  
• Certifications: Professional HR certifications, such as SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR a plus  
• 5+ years working in employee relations, and conducting workplace investigations or equivalent experience 
• Demonstrated strong experience and knowledge in employment law/compliance, ADA interactive process 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  

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. 
• 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.  

Benefits and Perks:

• Full medical, dental, and vision benefits at no cost to the employee
• Four weeks of paid time off and 9 paid float holidays (you can decide which days are most important to you!)
• Five-week sabbatical after five years of employment
• Open, casual, pet-friendly, and fun office environment
• Free medical health insurance for your pet (1 dog or cat)
• Paid time off to volunteer at nonprofit organizations
• Seattle Office Amenities: Free on-site gym, free dog walking services for office pets during business hours, free parking, and paid ORCA cards.

For more information about Trupanion, visit https://trupanion.com/about

Learn more about how Trupanion has revolutionized our industry and the reimbursement model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdWZ4KHiPTQ

Trupanion is an equal-opportunity employer and embraces diversity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, abilities, perspectives, and skills.

We will ensure that individuals are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations.