Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Business Administration, Coaching, Collective Bargaining, Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution, Corporate Policies, Corrective Action, Data Quality, Detail Oriented, Disciplinary Action, Documentation, FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993), Federal Laws and Regulations, HRIS/HRMS, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Interpersonal Skills, Legal, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Assembly, Microsoft Excel, Negotiation Skills, Operations Management, Organizational Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Procedure Implementation, Record Keeping, Regulations, Staff Policies, State Laws and Regulations, Trend Analysis, Writing Skills
Position Description:
Human Resources / Labor Relations Location: Michigan Assembly Plant
Join our HR team as an HR Specialist - Attendance & Leave, where you will serve as the plant's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for attendance management. In this vital, high-impact role, you will be responsible for administering the National Attendance Program (NAP) as outlined in our National Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the UAW. This is a direct, front-line, employee-facing role that requires a unique blend of exceptional administrative precision and highly developed interpersonal skills. You will be directly responsible for conducting corrective action hearings and issuing attendance-related discipline to hourly employees, up to and including discharge (termination). The ideal candidate is a resilient communicator who can de-escalate emotional situations, resolve conflicts, and deliver challenging messages with professionalism, consistency, and respect.
Key Responsibilities:
1. National Attendance Program (NAP) & Leave Administration
- Administer the NAP: Ensure the fair, consistent, and compliant administration of the National Attendance Program (NAP) in accordance with the National Agreement, local contractual agreements, and company policy.
- SME Guidance: Serve as the on-site Subject Matter Expert (SME) for line management, supervisors, and employees regarding NAP policies, FMLA regulations, Medical Leaves of Absence (MLOA), and bereavement.
- Timekeeping & Coding Audits: Audit and correct Time Worked/Off System (TWOS) coding for attendance, tardiness, and leaves to ensure absolute data integrity.
2. Disciplinary Action & Conflict Resolution
- Conduct Corrective Action Hearings: Lead and document formal disciplinary hearings for chargeable absences, notification failures, and tardiness in partnership with line supervisors and UAW representatives.
- Issue Progressive Discipline: Deliver and execute attendance-related disciplinary actions, ranging from initial coaching/written warnings up to and including discharge (termination) for non-compliance with the NAP.
- Deliver Challenging Messages: Confidently navigate difficult, highly sensitive, and emotional conversations with employees regarding their attendance status and employment.
- De-escalate & Resolve Conflict: Utilize advanced conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques to manage high-pressure situations during disciplinary discussions.
3. Labor Relations & Stakeholder Partnership
- Union Collaboration: Partner and communicate productively with UAW representatives to address attendance issues, resolve disputes at the earliest step, and ensure adherence to contract procedures.
- Coaching Operations Leaders: Build trusted relationships with operations supervisors and line managers, coaching them on how to have effective, constructive attendance conversations that balance empathy with accountability.
- Grievance Support: Prepare clear, objective, and airtight documentation regarding disciplinary actions to support the company's position in the event of union grievances or legal challenges.
4. Data Analysis & Offboarding
- Reporting & Trends: Analyze plant-wide attendance data (AWOL, late reports, leave utilization trends) to identify patterns and recommend proactive interventions to reduce absenteeism.
- Job Abandonment: Administer the 5-Day Quit process for job abandonment cases, ensuring all legal and contractual notices are accurately issued and tracked.
Skills Required:
Conflict Management, Microsoft Excel, Human Resources Information System (Hris)
Experience Required:
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field (or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience).
- Communication Skills: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. Must have a proven track record of maintaining professional composure, empathy, and authority under pressure.
- Conflict Resolution: Strong ability to resolve conflicts, negotiate mutually acceptable outcomes where appropriate, and deliver tough decisions decisively and professionally.
- Attention to Detail: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to maintain meticulous, legally defensible documentation.
Experience Preferred:
- Union/Labor Relations Experience: Prior experience working in a unionized manufacturing or industrial environment, particularly administering collective bargaining agreements (ideally with the UAW).
- Leave Compliance Knowledge: Familiarity with FMLA, ADA, short-term disability, and state/federal leave regulations.
- Systems Experience: Experience using HRIS, timekeeping, or scheduling software (e.g., TWOS, Oracle, SAP, Kronos).
Education Required:
Bachelor's Degree
Working Conditions & Schedule:
- Schedule: B-Crew-Afternoon shift role, requiring in person work.
- Shifts are Four 10 Hour days on Tuesday-Friday from 5pm-3:30am
- Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays are regularly scheduled days off.
- Environment: This role is 100% onsite within a fast-paced, dynamic manufacturing facility.