Leah Kirk
Summary
Results-oriented Employee Relations Executive skilled in managing complex investigations and reducing organizational risk. Expertise in coaching HR and leadership, interpreting multi-state labor regulations, and promoting inclusive workplace cultures. Influences stakeholders and implements HR solutions that align with corporate values and strategic initiatives.
Overview
1
1
Certification
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
PRIN. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS PARTNER
Medtronic
01.2020 - Current
- Conducts high-volume HR investigations across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, managing the full investigation lifecycle from intake and planning through interviews, findings, recommendations, and reporting. Provides regular updates to managers and HR Business Partners (HRBPs), offering guidance and recommendations on employee relations matters and investigation outcomes. Supports complex and high-risk cases as needed.
- Analyzes investigation outcomes, employee relations trends, and related data to identify risks, recommend improvements, and promote a culture of integrity. Partners closely with HR to implement process enhancements and proactive solutions.
- Leads investigations into alleged violations of company policies, procedures, standards of conduct, and applicable regulations in collaboration with Employment Legal, Compliance, and local HR teams. Advises HRBPs on employee relations matters and recommends appropriate resolutions.
- Develops and delivers training for managers, employees, and HRBPs on employee relations practices, workplace standards, and investigation processes. Provides coaching to HRBPs on employee relations and workplace environment issues while helping define and strengthen employee relations standards and procedures.
- Collaborates with Compliance and Employment Legal on disciplinary actions resulting from compliance investigations that do not involve workplace environment concerns and may assist with these investigations as needed.
- Maintains current knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and emerging workplace trends, ensuring company policies, practices, and employee relations standards remain compliant and aligned with evolving legal and business requirements.
SR. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS SPECIALIST
Pathways
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Managed Western Region Employee Relations and all high-level investigations.
- Partnered with VPs, directors, and senior executives to develop business initiatives that enhanced employee engagement and retention.
- Liaised between employees and executives, drafting ER communications aligned with company policies.
- Counseled managers on performance management measures and contributed to corporate HR on personnel practice enhancements.
- Advised managers on compliance with state and federal regulations, administered LOA and WC, and compiled EEO-1 and OSHA data for reporting.
- Counseled managers on performance management measures, contributing to enhancements in corporate HR personnel practices.
- Provided training to leaders on administering evaluations and approved employee performance improvement plans.
- Partnered with VPs, directors, and senior executives to develop new business initiatives and foster employee engagement and retention.
- Trained leaders on evaluation administration and approved employee performance improvement plans, ensuring alignment with performance standards.
HR BUSINESS PARTNER
Fitness International
Irvine, CA
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Transformed HR into a true strategic business partner in the aftermath of an acquisition and restructuring.
- Launched company's first HR shared services center, delivering internal coaching services to support employee development.
- Developed proactive employee relations and communication programs to effectively address labor and management issues.
- Ramped up California-based Asset Management team by hiring 50 employees within three months to meet operational demands.
- Trained new hires to align with company expectations, improving onboarding experience.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach01-2004
Skills
- Multi-state employment law
- Complex investigations
- Employee relations strategy
- Conflict resolution
- Risk assessment
- Policy best practices
- Performance management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Training & development
- Process design
- Data analysis
- Process improvement
- Inclusion & diversity
Certification
- PHR
- Workplace Investigations
- Mental Health First Aid
- Conflict Resolution
Timeline
PRIN. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS PARTNER
Medtronic
01.2020 - Current
SR. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS SPECIALIST
Pathways
01.2015 - 01.2019
HR BUSINESS PARTNER
Fitness International
01.2011 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Arts -
California State University Long Beach