JAMES ABRAMS
Maryland Department of Labor
York,PA
26
years of professional experience
Analytical problem-solver skilled in team building, leadership, and customer relations. Leverages sound judgment and independent decision-making to drive company success. Focused on enhancing employee engagement and performance through effective training and morale-building strategies. Experienced with team leadership, strategic planning, and operational management. Utilizes effective communication and organizational skills to drive project success. Track record of fostering productive work environments and achieving set goals.
Work History
Manager of Employer / Employee Relations
2 Years 6 Months- Managed employer/employee relations team, ensuring compliance with employee relations policies, processes, and standard operating procedures aligned with federal laws, state regulations, and agency policies.
- Serve as a strategic leader for the office of administration overseeing and evaluating the work of professional-level staff who provide advice training and guidance to managers and employees on matters related to discipline, performance management and policy interpretation.
- Co-facilitated Labor Management Committee meetings to address agency concerns between union leadership and management representatives.
- Supervised staff serving as administrative conference officers for first and second step grievance and disciplinary appeal conferences.
- Supervise staff who work as administrative conference officers for first and second step conferences for grievances and disciplinary appeals.
- Collaborates with the attorneys from the office of the attorney general on disciplinary cases and employee grievances that get referred to the office of administrative hearings.
- Provides guidance and recommendation related to union related concerns and questions pertaining to the memorandum of understandings for collective bargaining employees.
Director of Human Resources
5 Months- Supported organizational leadership by identifying priorities, recommending strategies, and streamlining human resource processes to enhance business functions.
- Collaborated with management on human resource issues, taking a consultative approach to proactively address employee-related concerns and improve overall workplace dynamics.
- Coached leaders to accelerate leadership effectiveness and maximize results and facilitate leadership assimilation through orientation and training.
- Coached leaders to enhance leadership effectiveness and facilitate assimilation through targeted orientation and training programs.
- Contributed to business and human resource functions through identifying, prioritizing, supporting organizational leadership, recommending strategies, and streamlining processes.
- Participated in local and/or organization wide committees that focus on projects that move the organization forward and towards meeting its strategic goals.
- Communicated expectations and cultural standards with new hires, partnering while promoting a one team collaborative atmosphere in which all positions function together as one team.
Human Resources Consultant
6 Months- Identified and prioritized organizational capabilities, behaviors, structures, and processes to enhance business and human resource functions.
- Partnered with leaders on business goals, proactively identifying and partnering with the business leaders in addressing organizational issues and concerns.
- Built relationships to gain in-depth knowledge of business objectives, delivering strategic counsel and analytics that supported goal attainment.
- Coached organizational leaders on effective communication strategies and ways to identify and develop valuable employees and reduce departmental turnover.
- Developed management practices that enhanced organizational effectiveness, integrating diversity and inclusion strategies to foster a culture maximizing competitive advantage and workforce skills.
- Participated in local and/or organization wide committees that focus on projects that move the organization forward and towards meeting its strategic goals.
- Collaborated with management on special projects to promote the vision and mission of the organization.
Employee Relations Specialist
9 Months- Reviewed disciplinary action requests, conducted fact-finding investigations into employee misconduct and bullying complaints, and interviewed witnesses to recommend appropriate resolutions.
- Interpreted and applied human resource related laws, regulations, policies and procedures relevant to the State Personnel Management System (SPMS) and recommends new or changes to existing processes, policies and procedures.
- Explained and defended human resource-related actions and recommendations to supervisory and managerial staff and agency executives, including testifying in administrative conferences, legislative hearings, and court proceedings.
- Acted as an administrative conference officer for first or second step conferences concerning grievance disputes, disciplinary actions, and appeals; and writes first and second step, appeal and grievance decisions on behalf of the Secretary for Labor.
- Reviewed and assigned work in a lead worker capacity for referrals on disciplinary actions, grievances, appeal decisions, and exit interviews.
- Traveled throughout the State of Maryland to perform on-site visits, pertaining to external file reviews and conducting internal file reviews for current/ former employees, and potential new hires.
- Advised employees, supervisors, program managers, agency executives, and public officials on employee relations matters while participating as a management representative in collective bargaining meetings to address labor issues.
Human Resources Business Partner
7 Months- Served as the Human Resources Business Partner for management on matters related to JHBMC’s Just Culture process and provided guidance on the process of attempting to manage human fallibility through system design and behavioral choices.
- Functioned as a strategic leader for the human resources department by interpreting policies, providing guidance, training, and serving as a resource on matters related to employee relations, performance management, union grievances, management training, corrective actions, benefits, payroll and classification and compensation concerns.
- Led human resources department by interpreting policies, providing guidance and training, and serving as a resource on employee relations, performance management, union grievances, management training, corrective actions, benefits, payroll, and classification and compensation concerns.
- Acted as the Human Resources Business Partner for management on matters related to JHBMC’s Just Culture process and provided guidance on managing human fallibility through system design and behavioral choices.
- Provided advice and guidance to all levels of JHBMC staff clarifying policies and procedures, providing resources, managing conflict, and working to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Joined the labor management committee to discuss workforce issues and strategies.
Deputy Chief of Human Resources
1 Year 1 Month- Supervised human resources staff providing services to over 1500 Baltimore County and Maryland State government employees, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.
- Utilized and interpreted Baltimore County policies and regulations in addition to the State of Maryland’s Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), along with the State Personnel and Pensions (SPP) guidelines and various Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for different collective bargaining units.
- Led the human resources department by overseeing, coordinating, and reviewing the work of professional and support staff for Baltimore County and the State of Maryland, including recruitment, classification and compensation, employee relations, benefits, and payroll.
- Advised management on discipline, performance management, policy interpretation, classification, compensation, grievance procedures, payroll, benefits, and applicable human resources laws and regulations.
- Acted as a subject matter expert on multiple human resource information systems, including Workday, NeoGov, Advantage, and SailPoint, by directing and guiding human resources staff in processing transactions for approval.
- Acted as a backup to the Chief of Human Resources by participating in senior leadership meetings and presenting data and reports on human resources initiatives and programs, while advising senior leadership on laws, policies, regulations, and guidelines affecting decision-making processes.
Manager of Employee/Labor Relations
1 Year 9 Months- Provided guidance and advice to management and employees on counseling, discipline, performance management, policy interpretation, grievance procedures, union contract compliance, layoffs, rejection on probation, termination, and employment at will and any other employee/labor relations issues.
- Participated in separation meetings, including rejection on probation, layoff, and termination, ensuring compliance with policies and effective communication between management and employees.
- Prepared testimony and evidence for management at grievances and appeals for second and third step proceedings.
- Responded to unemployment claims including representing the university at unemployment hearings and maintaining all responses and information (record keeping) pertaining to unemployment claims.
- Interpreted and ensured compliance with State and federal laws, Board of Regents Policies and procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
- Provided training to supervisors and managers on employee relations issues, performance management and memorandums of understanding.
- Managed performance management program (PMP), facilitating expectation meetings, midway evaluations, and final appraisals; provided technical assistance and reviewed submissions to ensure compliance with standards.
- Engaged in union negotiations and maintained the collective bargaining database for employees in the bargaining units (AFSCME and FOP) as well as for nonexempt employees excluded from collective bargaining.
- Compiled and submitted quarterly reports to AFSCME on bargaining unit members, including separations, while responding to data requests from union representatives and legal offices.
Chief of Employee Relations
4 Years 10 Months- Led employee relations services by reviewing disciplinary action requests, recommending resolutions, and representing agency management in settlement conferences and administrative hearings regarding grievance disputes and disciplinary actions.
- Analyzed and evaluated the appropriateness of human resources actions based on guidelines, procedures and precedents and recommended approaches or solutions to employee relations related concerns.
- Explained and defended human resources related actions and recommendations to supervisory and managerial staff, agency executives and by testifying in official proceedings such as administrative conferences and hearings, legislative hearings and in a court of law.
- Recommended new and/or changes to existing human resources related processes, policies, and procedures to increase efficiency and accomplish administrative goals and objectives.
- Identified, created, and developed training opportunities for employees, supervisors, and managers, providing advice and guidance to managers on the performance improvement process and the performance evaluation program.
- Defended human resources actions and recommendations to supervisory and managerial staff, agency executives, and in official proceedings, including administrative conferences, legislative hearings, and court testimony.
- Recommended new and/or changes to existing human resources related processes, policies, and procedures to increase efficiency and accomplish administrative goals and objectives.
- Trained and supervised human resources professionals, personnel paraprofessionals, and clerical support staff.
Human Resources Consultant
5 Years 6 Months- Acted as a strategic partner, helping managers to effectively integrate human resource processes, programs, and practices into business operations.
- Conducted departmental needs assessments or audits and proactively collaborated with clients by organizing and coordinating cross-functional human resource teams to develop performance improvement corrective plans.
- Developed and maintained consistent application of human resources and labor policies, practices, and procedures; to ensure compliance with federal, State, and local employment laws; and promote and foster a safe and hostility-free work environment.
- Educated, trained, advised, and coached managers and employees on the interpretation and application of written policies, consideration of past practices and assisting management in formulating procedural options for resolution and providing and maintaining an effective alternative resolution process for resolving conflict.
- Mediated conflicts and negotiated settlements for grievances and appeals, collaborating with in-house and outside counsel to address external charges and complaints.
- Identified and recommended training opportunities for managers while advising on performance improvement and annual evaluation processes.
- Served as the Hearing Officer for bargaining unit employees for the grievances process and participated as the policy expert for managers during appeals hearings for non-bargaining unit employees.
- Collaborated with the legal department on EEO-related matters and arbitration hearings.
- Co-chaired the Joint Training Council, overseeing an educational training budget of $500,000.
Employee/Labor Relations Specialist
3 Years 1 Month- Provided leadership, coaching and counseling and facilitated effective problem resolution, avoiding external arbitration and litigation.
- Educated and advised managers and employees on policy interpretation and past practices, assisting management in formulating procedural options for effective resolutions.
- Facilitated mediation sessions with management and employees to resolve complaints, conflicts, disputes, or differences of opinion.
- Attended grievance hearings, EEO hearings, unemployment hearings and participated in collective bargaining negotiations.
- Collaborated with legal team on cases posing potential organizational risks.
- Facilitated mediation sessions between management and employees, successfully resolving complaints and conflicts to promote a harmonious workplace.
- Collaborated with departments to create staffing plans that addressed recruitment and retention strategies.
Employment Manager
1 Year 2 Months- Coordinated recruitment and staffing activities for the University, streamlining temporary employment requests to meet departmental needs.
- Reviewed resumes/applications for qualifications and managed the screening, testing, and referral of applicants.
- Developed and recommended employment and staffing policies and procedures.
- Prepared position announcements and advertisements; placed Ads in print and on the web.
- Ensured that management remained in compliance with federal, State, and local employment laws; and promoted and fostered a safe and hostile free work environment.
- Ensured that management remained in compliance with federal, State, and local employment laws; and promoted and fostered a safe and hostile-free work environment.
Human Resources Supervisor
1 Year 10 Months- Coordinated hiring, payroll, and orientation processes, ensuring smooth onboarding experience for new employees.
- Partnered with managers to revise job descriptions and develop performance evaluations.
- Advised managers of state and federal labor laws and regulations and guidelines related to hiring.
- Supervised and provided training and guidance to the Human Resources Assistant.
- Reviewed disciplinary actions initiated by managers to ensure compliance with policies.
- Evaluated disciplinary actions initiated by managers for policy compliance, promoting fair treatment within the organization.
- Monitored and tracked turnover, overtime, workers compensation and family and medical leave.
- Tracked and analyzed turnover, overtime, workers compensation, and family and medical leave to identify trends and inform management decisions.
Human Resources Representative
1 Year 6 Months- Identified, located, screened, interviewed job candidates, and conducted exit interviews.
- Identified, located, screened, and interviewed job candidates, conducted exit interviews to gather feedback and improve hiring processes.
- Established and fostered working relationships with high schools, colleges, and universities.
- Sourced innovative technology and implemented cost-effective recruiting tools to enhance recruitment efficiency.
- Advised managers of state and federal labor laws and regulations and guidelines related to hiring.
- Guided employees and addressed inquiries regarding human resource policies and company health benefits, ensuring clarity and compliance.
- Attended job fairs to connect with potential candidates for open positions. and visit colleges to recruit prospective candidates for positions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
Skills
HR management systems
Labor relations management
Dispute resolution
Labor relations management
Strategic decision-making
Stakeholder engagement
Project scheduling
Microsoft Office Suite
Labor relations management
Timeline
Manager of Employer / Employee Relations
Maryland Department of Labor
04.2024 - CurrentRead More
Director of Human Resources
Yorkview Nursing and Rehabilitation
11.2023 - 04.2024Read More
Human Resources Consultant
University of Pittsburg Medical Center (UPMC)
05.2023 - 11.2023Read More
Employee Relations Specialist
Maryland Department of Labor
08.2022 - 05.2023Read More
Human Resources Business Partner
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (JHBMC)
01.2022 - 08.2022Read More
Deputy Chief of Human Resources
Baltimore County Department of Health & Human Services
12.2020 - 01.2022Read More
Manager of Employee/Labor Relations
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
03.2019 - 12.2020Read More
Chief of Employee Relations
Maryland State Department of Education
05.2014 - 03.2019Read More
Human Resources Consultant
Johns Hopkins Health System
11.2008 - 05.2014Read More
Employee/Labor Relations Specialist
University of Maryland Baltimore
10.2005 - 11.2008Read More
Employment Manager
Morgan State University
08.2004 - 10.2005Read More
Human Resources Supervisor
St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation & Nursing Center
06.2002 - 04.2004Read More
Human Resources Representative
Baltimore Gas & Electric Company
09.2000 - 03.2002Read More
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Bachelor of Arts from Economics
Read More