Open To Work
DEBORAH DUBINSKY
Leawood,KS
Work Preference
Summary
Results-driven employee relations professional specializing in resolving complex workplace issues and improving employee morale. Developed and implemented training programs for management, promoting effective communication and conflict resolution. Proven track record in designing compliance protocols that support organizational success.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Specialist Investigator Employee Relations
Ford Motor Company
Kansas City, MO
01.2023 - Current
- The Senior Specialist, Employee Relations, works with minimal supervision, is responsible for the resolution of employee relations issues, such as conflicts, disputes, and disciplinary matters, with fairness and consistency in a timely manner.
- The role designs standard operating protocols and benchmarks to be implemented for investigations, cases, and mediations, to improve employee motivation.
- Designs and develops training programs for Managers across departments on employee relations subjects such as conflict resolution, dispute management, complaints, goal setting, performance feedback delivery, etc. to achieve high employee motivation, morale, and a positive work environment.
- Owns delivery of employee relations special projects involving the development of innovative solutions and procedures to deal with complex problems in the domains of conflict resolution, case investigations, dispute management, employee motivation, morale, etc., consistent with organizational objectives and strategy.
- Represents the organization when dealing with regulatory bodies, external consultants and vendors, and other agencies and ensures that the organization's interests and objectives are supported.
- Determines the approach for continuous improvement projects to develop solutions and improvements to initiatives and programs across the Employee lifecycle in partnership with People Analytics and Planning and other HR teams while ensuring coherence with the organization’s long-term plans.
- Consults with legal, compliance, and other HR teams for formulating effective responses for all types of discrimination charges and complaints.
- Coaches and guides senior leaders on matters related to employee and labor relations.
Employee Relations Partner
Michaels
Remote
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Operates as a strategic partner to all branches of the company by managing all employee relations concerns, addressing in an expedient manner, mitigating risk for the company and positively impacting Team Member engagement, morale, and culture.
- Mitigated risk by responding swiftly to employee concerns and complaints, ensuring timely resolutions.
- Liaised with management with a primary focus on investigating Employee Relations complaints and acting as a resource and subject matter expert to the enterprise.
- Established strategic partnerships and support enterprise business units regarding Employee Relations concerns performance management standardization and initiatives, drive change management, and consult leaders in the resolution of ER concerns.
- Identify and appropriately investigate concerns including, but not limited to, Sexual Harassment/Harassment, Discrimination, Wage/ Hour, Retaliation, and violations of company policies.
- Partnered with Legal department and provided prompt summaries with effective and scalable solutions to investigations, policies, concerns and ensured proper closeout and communication of completed investigations.
- Supported Employee Relations team in resolving organizational issues to enhance workplace environment.
- Extensive multi state experience acting as subject matter expert in HR policies, planning, Employee Relations, mediation, Conflict Resolution, advice and counsel as well as training and coaching sessions.
- Analyzed data to identify employee relations trends and provide insight and actionable feedback to stakeholders and cross-functional business partner.
- Communicated promptly with team members and management upon receiving assignments to facilitate efficient workflow.
- Primary responsibilities include: offering counseling services to team members, conducting stay, and exit interviews.
- Coach team members and leadership on policies, best practices, guidelines and disciplinary actions.
- Present training sessions to leadership on trends, new laws and regulations.
- Investigate complaints of discrimination and harassment.
- Served as subject matter expert on ADA and FMLA regulations.
- Oversees and creates training and communications to keep up with employment laws and trends.
Team Relations Specialist
Rocket Central
Charlotte, North Carolina
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Provided counseling services to team members, participated in recruitment, conducted stay interviews, and led exit interviews to enhance employee engagement.
- Served as culture ambassador to promote collaboration and productivity among team members and leadership.
- Liaised between employer, Sr. leadership, and team members to facilitate communication and address concerns.
- Coach team members and leadership on policies, best practices, guidelines and disciplinary actions.
- Present training sessions to leadership on trends, new laws and regulations.
- Investigate complaints of discrimination and harassment.
- Provided expert guidance on ADA and FMLA regulations to ensure compliance.
- Oversees and creates trainings and communications to keep up with employment laws and trends.
Manager, Employment Disputes
Darden Restaurants
Orlando, Florida
01.2007 - 01.2020
- Successfully resolved 100% of employment claims effectively by mediation or position statement.
- Successful resolution rate of 92% of simple and complex claims.
- Increased use of mediation for conflict resolution by 99% year over date since taking over position.
- Resolved numerous employment conflicts through effective strategies, reducing reliance on outside counsel.
- Investigated and resolved employment issues by gathering and analyzing evidence and applying relevant local, state, and federal laws.
- Subject matter expert in employee relations/employment law as evidenced by conducting detailed investigations into employment claims.
- Provided employee relations support for multiple sites and states.
- Establishes strong professional relationships by liaising between the company and federal and state agencies.
- Co-leader of Darden’s largest employee resource group.
Education
Bachelors Degree - Human Resources Management
Ottawa University
Overland Park, KansasEmployee Relations and Investigations Certification -
Cornell University
Ithaca, NYEEOC Investigator Certification -
EEOC Institute
Washington, D.C.Florida Mediation Training Certification -
Boca Raton, FloridaKansas Mediation Training Certification -
Topeka, KansasSkills
- Employee Relations
- Workplace investigations
- Workforce Investigations
- Employment Law
- Case Management
- Mediation
- Conflict Resolution
- Strategic Planning
- Human Resources
- Training
- Coaching
- Interpersonal Communication
Timeline
Senior Specialist Investigator Employee Relations
Ford Motor Company
01.2023 - Current
Employee Relations Partner
Michaels
01.2022 - 01.2023
Team Relations Specialist
Rocket Central
01.2021 - 01.2022
Manager, Employment Disputes
Darden Restaurants
01.2007 - 01.2020
Bachelors Degree - Human Resources Management
Ottawa University
Employee Relations and Investigations Certification -
Cornell University
EEOC Investigator Certification -
EEOC Institute