KENIA G. BAEZ
Danvers,MA
Summary
Proactive Human Resources Business Partner guiding performance management, talent planning and benefits. Decisive with proven success providing employee relations support and oversight for efficient operations. Extensive knowledge and experience developing code of business conduct and ethics policies.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
HR Business Partner
Beth Israel Lahey Health
12.2019 - Current
- Researched hiring needs, future demand, and market supply to support recruitment planning.
- Identified cost-effective ways to assess, select, and implement best methods for attracting qualified candidates.
- Managed marketing efforts to reach prospective qualified candidates.
- Partnered with managers to review recruitment trends and challenges within assigned areas and build strategies aligned with department goals.
- Provided coaching to managers on problem solving, training, development, and performance feedback.
- Educated hiring managers on recruitment process and followed up for feedback on process and staff performance.
- Assigned open positions appropriately to support hiring manager, candidate, and staff satisfaction.
- Led search efforts with outside recruitment firms, advertising firms, search engines, and job boards to improve cost-effective sourcing.
- Monitored recruitment and market trends and built talent pipelines for Lahey.
- Developed and implemented diversity recruitment strategies and integrated diversity throughout each search.
- Maintained accurate applicant tracking system records in PeopleSoft to support recruitment metrics and compliance requirements.
- Researched compensation, benefits, HRIS, workforce development, and management education issues and sought technical guidance as needed.
- Presented solutions to line management and supported implementation of corrective actions.
- Took part in strategic programs and initiatives with HR experts and line managers.
- Advised managers on corrective action and supported corrective action discussions when needed.
- Drafted or edited written warnings for managers and reviewed involuntary termination recommendations and reduction in force proposals.
- Kept open-door access for colleagues with workplace concerns and provided support and referral to Lahey Employee Assistance Program when needed.
- Administered steps in the Lahey problem resolution policy and helped guide colleagues through concerns.
- Investigated issues involving unsafe patient care, sexual harassment, workplace violence, drug diversion, substance abuse, theft, and patient confidentiality violations and recommended next steps.
- Coordinated with director of employee relations and Lahey legal staff as needed.
- Tracked metrics tied to employee relations activities.
- Supported programs that improve communication, management, and problem resolution, including annual colleague performance appraisal program, new manager orientation, mandatory education, and colleague training.
- Assisted Lahey legal staff with responses to legal claims and supported unemployment consultants with unemployment insurance claim disputes.
HR Business Partner
Greater Lawrence Community Action Council
05.2017 - 12.2019
- Delivered counseling/training in the areas of labor/employee relations, EEO, affirmative action and discrimination.
- Evaluated business units to identify training needs and individual coaching.
- Conduct meetings with business unit weekly.
- Manage and resolve all employees relations issues/exit interview.
- Work closely with the management to improve employee retention and morale.
- Implement new HRMS (paycom), performance reviews, PIP, and corrective action templates.
- Development and manage employee engagement committee.
- Administer various employee benefit programs, such as medical and dental, vision, flexible spending and dependent care, disability, life insurance, and retirement plans.
- Respond timely to employee inquiries and questions regarding benefits plans.
- Provide benefit orientations and ensure timely enrollment of all benefit eligible employees.
- Update and maintain the employee benefits file and Paycom regarding benefit deductions, changes or additions, leave of absences, and new hires and terminations.
- Coordinate, develop and launch all benefits communication materials to update employees on plan changes and amendments through Intranet, e-mail and print materials.
- Track, monitor, and report on employee benefit eligibility under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ensuring employees qualifying under the ACA are offered benefit enrollment.
- Coordinate and manage the benefits renewal process by gathering reports, information, and coordinating the preparation and distribution of new plan materials.
- Prepare and set up meetings designed to help employees obtain information and understand GLCAs benefit programs and other related incentive programs as needed.
- Create and run benefit related reports as needed.
- Administer and track state and federal leave programs ensuring compliance and timeliness of tasks related to FMLA and other leaves of absence. Calculate, bill and track payments received for employees on unpaid leave.
- Maintain collaborative working relationship with all benefits vendors.
- Process, track and manage Workers Compensation claims.
- Administer and process COBRA notification and enrollments.
Human Resources Generalist
Gate Gourmet Inc.
East Boston, MA
08.2015 - 05.2017
- Provided counseling and training on labor and employee relations, EEO, affirmative action, and discrimination issues.
- Supported recruiting efforts for union hourly employees and assisted with hiring for exempt and non-exempt roles.
- Administered leave of absence programs, including FMLA and short- and long-term disability.
- Served as first contact for employee questions about benefits, compensation, recruiting, and HR compliance matters.
- Advised leadership on HR policy interpretation and compliance with federal, state, and labor laws.
- Managed employee recognition and incentive programs.
- Led new hire orientation and training for employees at all levels.
- Completed local terminations and post-termination reviews.
- Responded to unemployment claims and vendor requests.
- Supported multiple projects and helped with other departmental initiatives.
- Served as main contact for employee and labor relations issues, resolving disputes and union grievances.
- Prepared leave of absence and team performance reports for management.
Benefits Specialist
American Dental Partners
Boston, MA
06.2014 - 07.2015
- Analyzed benefit plan designs and recommended enhancements to meet employee needs.
- Gathered employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings/invoices
- Administered employee benefits programs and ensured compliance with regulations.
- Coordinated open enrollment activities including meetings and communication campaigns.
- Researched and resolved employee inquiries regarding benefits programs.
- Explained the impact of life events such as marriage or divorce on benefits enrollment status.
- Monitored compliance with federal and state regulations concerning employee benefits.
Human Resources Analyst
Sovereign/Santander
Boston, MA
10.2011 - 05.2014
- Managed Ethics Hotline and complaints
- Managed unemployment claims received from outside vendors
- Tracked and compiled monthly reports on code of conduct, ethics and other HR reporting
- Updated employee handbook/HR policies
- Provided administrative support to employee relationship managers and consultants
- Audit Response Provided quarterly reports to HR Director
- Collected and reviewed exit survey results
- Handled and managed invoices received from vendors
- Administered all Ethics Hotline Complaints
- Participated in the administration of all internal investigations and prepare reports for Senior Management and HR Leadership
- Partnered with Management, loss prevention and business partners during investigations
- Prepared and distributed reporting such as Code of Conduct and Trending Reports
- Reviewed all exit surveys and prepared quarterly reports
- Provided support recruitment and employment
- Reviewed I-9 forms and backgrounds checks
- Processed all the early warnings for new hires.
- Administered and manage multiple projects to assist other departmental initiatives
- Conducted both written and verbal interpretation in Spanish
- Responded to quarterly audits from Loss Prevention department
Human Resources Analyst II
Mercer HR Consulting
Norwood, MA
07.2008 - 10.2011
- Managed entire leave process for employees of two major clients from leave commencement to the return to work or termination
- Explained and tracked leave types such as FMLA, Military, Medical and Personal
- Coordinated with appropriate vendors to ensure that STD, LTD and Workers Compensation benefits are approved correctly
- Educated employees and managers on the appropriate leave process and procedures
- Coordinated and interpret leave policies with applicable federal and state regulations
- Updated HRMS (PeopleSoft) by changing employment leave status as appropriate
- Facilitated weekly meeting with vendors and clients
- Trained new managers how to utilize the HRMS system or changes implemented
- Managed employee relation issues regarding benefits with the vendors
Benefits Specialist I
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Boston, MA
04.2006 - 07.2008
- Responded to routine inquiries regarding Health and Welfare issues; employee data, and processing forms as needed
- Responded to routine inquiries left on the benefits hotline voicemail, e-mail and incoming department mail
- Contacted outside vendors to ensure appropriate medical, dental, vision and Cobra coverage
- Provided counseling and guided employees on routine benefit implications of life events for health and welfare coverage
- Prepared and helped set up the annual Benefits Open Enrollment meetings
- Involved in special projects assigned by the manager
- Handled escalation and issues with employees benefits
Education
Masters in Science Leadership - Human Resources Management
Northeastern University
01-2010
Bachelor of Science - International Business Management
Newbury College
01-2004
Skills
- Employee relations
- Benefits administration
- HR policy development
- Compliance management
- Conflict resolution
- Employee engagement
- Effective communication
- Team collaboration
- HR policies development
- Retention strategies
- Onboarding programs
- Training and development
- Managing employee relations
Custom
Spanish: Fluent
Custom
- Certificate, Human Resources Management, Northeastern University
- Certificate, PeopleSoft 8 HRMS
- Strong Microsoft Office skills
- UltiPro
- ADP
- Paycom
- Workday
Timeline
HR Business Partner
Beth Israel Lahey Health
12.2019 - Current
HR Business Partner
Greater Lawrence Community Action Council
05.2017 - 12.2019
Human Resources Generalist
Gate Gourmet Inc.
08.2015 - 05.2017
Benefits Specialist
American Dental Partners
06.2014 - 07.2015
Human Resources Analyst
Sovereign/Santander
10.2011 - 05.2014
Human Resources Analyst II
Mercer HR Consulting
07.2008 - 10.2011
Benefits Specialist I
Liberty Mutual Insurance
04.2006 - 07.2008
Masters in Science Leadership - Human Resources Management
Northeastern University
Bachelor of Science - International Business Management
Newbury College