Investigations & Employee Relations Officer

Role Overview

The Investigations & Employee Relations Officer serves as a senior HR generalist responsible for delivering both strategic and hands-on HR support. This role acts as the authority on employee relations, workplace investigations, and labour relations within the company. It collaborates with leadership to provide HR solutions throughout the employee lifecycle, ensuring adherence to Jamaican labour laws, internal policies, and recognized HR best practices.

Primary Duties

• Manage complex employee relations issues, including investigations, grievances, discipline, performance, and conflict resolution.
• Conduct unbiased investigations by interviewing involved parties, gathering evidence, compiling reports, and suggesting subsequent steps.
• Ensure all employee relations matters comply with Jamaican labour legislation, company guidelines, and principles of natural justice.
• Handle labour relations issues, prepare relevant documentation for governmental bodies such as the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Industrial Disputes Tribunal, and coordinate with legal counsel when needed.
• Provide dedicated HR advisory services to business units concerning employee relations, performance management, attendance monitoring, organizational changes, workforce planning, policy interpretation, and employee engagement.
• Assist leaders in addressing people-related challenges, minimizing organizational risks, and applying practical HR interventions aligned with business goals.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, talent growth, and employee engagement strategies.
• Coach leaders on managing performance, fostering career growth, recognizing employee achievements, boosting retention, and implementing Performance Improvement Plans.
• Aid organizational change, workforce transitions, and initiatives enhancing employee experience and company effectiveness.
• Oversee HR operations like compensation adjustments, promotions, transfers, and separations while ensuring legal and policy compliance.
• Maintain accurate, confidential HR records and case documentation to uphold data integrity.
• Provide coaching and training to managers and HR staff on employee relations, investigation practices, documentation standards, conflict resolution, and employment legislation.
• Analyze HR metrics to identify risks and trends, recommend improvements to bolster compliance and operational efficiency, and standardize HR tools and procedures across the organization.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, Law, Psychology, or a related field.
• At least three years of advancing experience in HR generalist, business partner, or employee relations roles.
• Proven expertise in conducting workplace investigations and handling complex employee relations cases.
• Strong familiarity with Jamaican labour laws, employment standards, and HR best practices.
• Prior exposure to Ministry of Labour conciliations or Industrial Disputes Tribunal processes is highly advantageous.
• Experience in a BPO or shared services environment preferred.

Core Competencies

• HR business partnering and advisory skills
• Expertise in employee and labour relations
• Skilled in workplace investigations and employment law compliance
• Talent and performance management capabilities
• Leadership coaching, conflict resolution, and mediation experience
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving aptitude
• Report writing and stakeholder engagement proficiency
• Change management and continuous improvement orientation
• Strong planning, organization, and ethical judgment

Performance Measures

• Timely closure of employee relations cases and investigatory processes
• High quality and defensible investigation results
• Adherence to company policies and employment legislation
• Decrease in recurring employee relations issues and grievances
• Positive feedback from leadership on HR advisory support
• Effective delivery of employee engagement and retention initiatives
• On-time completion of compliance reporting and HR strategic projects

Work Environment and Impact

This role functions in a dynamic, fast-paced environment supporting multiple departments. It requires regular interaction with employees at all levels, legal professionals, and government agencies. The position demands sound judgment, resilience, discretion, and the ability to manage various priorities while preserving strict confidentiality. By ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant employment practices, this position safeguards the organization, strengthens leadership effectiveness, mitigates legal and operational risks, and supports the company’s strategic objectives related to its workforce.