Senior Executive, Industrial & Employee Relations (IR/ER) is responsible for ensuring industrial harmony, promoting positive employee relations, and maintaining compliance with all relevant labor laws and company policies. This role involves managing complex ER/IR cases, serving as a liaison with unions/employee representatives, and advising management on best practices to foster a fair, productive, and high-performing workplace.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the primary company representative or a key team member in liaising and engaging with employees.
- Manage and resolve industrial disputes, including strikes, lockouts, or other concerted industrial actions, in consultation with senior management and legal counsel.
- Represent the company in discussions, conciliation meetings, or hearings with labor authorities (e.g., Industrial Court, Labour Office).
- Manage and provide end-to-end support for complex employee relations casework, including grievances, disciplinary matters (misconduct), performance management, and absenteeism.
- Conduct or oversee thorough, impartial, and well-documented workplace investigations and domestic inquiries (DI) in line with company policy and legal requirements.
- Draft and issue official disciplinary letters (e.g., show-cause, warning, termination).
- Serve as a mediator or advisor to managers and employees on conflict resolution, ensuring fair and consistent application of policies and procedures.
- Ensure all HR policies, procedures, and practices are consistently applied and remain compliant with current local labor laws (e.g., Employment Act, Industrial Relations Act).
- Keep abreast of changes in employment legislation and advise management on necessary policy adjustments and legal risks.
- Maintain detailed and confidential records of all ER/IR cases, court proceedings, and documentation.
- Prepare periodic reports and analytics on IR/ER trends, case resolution times, and compliance status to inform senior management decision-making.
- Management Consultation:
- Provide expert advice, guidance, and training to managers and supervisors on labor law, employee discipline, grievance handling, and performance management to ensure all actions are legally sound and procedurally fair.
- Develop and deliver training sessions for employees on company policies, code of conduct, and employee rights and responsibilities.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of 4-6 years of progressive experience in Industrial and Employee Relations, preferably in a fast-paced or industrial/unionized environment.
- In-depth, proven knowledge of e.g., Malaysian Employment Act 1955, Industrial Relations Act 1967.
- Proven experience in conducting domestic inquiries, handling complex disciplinary cases, and managing litigation/liaison with labor authorities.
Skills & Competencies:
- Negotiation & Mediation: Exceptional negotiation, influencing, and conflict resolution skills to manage sensitive situations with diplomacy and tact.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for drafting legal documents, policies, and communicating effectively with all levels of the organization and external stakeholders (unions, authorities, legal counsel).
- Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to investigate and resolve complex workplace issues objectively.
- Integrity & Confidentiality: A strong commitment to ethical behavior and the ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail for policy adherence, investigation documentation, and record-keeping.
