Employee Relations Manager

McDonald’s is proud to be one of the most recognized brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries that serve 70 million customers daily. As the global leader in the food service industry, our legacy of innovation and hard work continues to drive us.
From drive thru updates to delivery to mobile order and pay, we are innovating quickly and growing. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world.

At McDonald’s, we see every day as a chance to create positive impact. We lead through our values centered on inclusivity, service, integrity, community and family. From support of Ronald McDonald House Charities to our Youth Opportunity project and sustainability initiatives, our values keep us dedicated to using our scale for good: good for our customers, people, industry and planet. We also offer a broad range of outstanding benefits including a sabbatical program, tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements - check them out here!

While most of us are working remote during COVID-19, we're excited to get back to our state-of-the-art headquarters in the booming West Loop of downtown Chicago! It's set up to be a global hub that cultivates collaboration:

• Take a class at Hamburger University
• Sample future items in our Test Kitchen
• Utilize the latest technology to connect with your team around the globe

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our crew members, staff, operators, and suppliers. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. We are interested in people who enhance our company culture: Does this role interest you? We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every single requirement!

The Manager-Employee Relations is responsible for leading efforts that foster a positive work environment that support our values and brand standards in our restaurants and that that is consistent with the company’s overall business and human capital strategies. They will support the needs of multiple US-based markets and develop tools and resources specific to employee relations and legal compliance. As a subject matter expert in employee relations, this role will consult with owner/operators, employees and vendors regarding a broad range of trends and optional strategies, programs and activities. The ability to balance between proactive consulting, project work and managing complex employee relations issues is critical for success in this role to help ensure excellent and consistent support as the Center of Excellence (COE) for this area.

The position is a full-time role and reports to the Director-Employee Relations.

Principal Accountabilities:

In addition to following McDonald’s values, policies and procedures, principal accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership

• Participates in the development of short and long-term strategies.
• Oversee end-to-end design and implementation of tools, materials, training courses and communications to maintain a positive work environment.
• Monitors KPIs and key metrics to identify trends, future needs and potential barriers to employee engagement.
• Focuses on identifying opportunities to elevate employer brand reputation and crew-first mindset through existing initiatives.
• Actively stays abreast of labor and HR-related trends, legislative and regulatory developments or updates that may impact the brand.

Advise and Influence

• Primary contact and responsible for triaging reports of complex employee relations issues within designated markets.
• Delivers highly engaging positive employee relations training to a variety of audiences to promote transfer of knowledge and application of key learnings.
• Provides resources, guidance and expertise when complex employee issues (i.e., discrimination, harassment, workplace violence, safety) arise, that is consistent with company policies and practices and limits exposure to legal liability.
• Manages relationships with external resources on complex employee relations matters.
• Monitors priority areas/markets and partners with the business to develop proactive strategies to mitigate potential future risk.
• Counsels customers on best practices and compliance measures to address issues with workforce-related conduct and policies and practices. 
• Ensures tools, resources and processes in assigned areas are relevant, executed to standard and compliant with applicable employment laws.
• Monitors and maintains awareness of pending employment trend changes that affect US-based restaurants and communicates proactively.
• Advocates for the adoption and execution of employee engagement best practices and McDonald’s people standards.
• Takes a leadership role with customers and applies employee and labor relations expertise to implement short and long-term solutions that balances the needs of employees, the business and legal compliance.
• Advises customers on preventive maintenance steps to be assured of employment and labor law compliance.

Relationships

• Builds and leverages a strong and cohesive partnership with appropriate stakeholders across the business including a focus on key stakeholders in Operations, Global People, and Global Impact.
• Collaborates with customers to understand needs and ensure communication, training and other support is provided to build capability and deliver on market-level strategies.

• Must be fully vaccinated (i.e., at least 2 weeks after last dose) for COVID-19 and, if hired, present proof of vaccination by start date.
• Deep understanding of HR principles, concepts and industry best-practices.
• Knowledge of a broad range of federal and state employee related laws, including NLRA, wage and hour, OSHA and EEO.
• Recognizes critical factors and risks of a particular situation, anticipates and plans for consequences of decisions and makes recommendations based on available facts.
• Able to work reactively on crisis-oriented issues under extreme limitations while exercising sound judgement.
• Flexible and resilient leader that quickly adapts to changing priorities.
• Ability to forge deep relationships and build trust with partners and customers.
• Strong influencer with bias towards buy-in, actions and customer service.
• Data-driven decision maker that identifies and manages risk and determines contingency plans appropriately.
• Proven track-record of managing multiple projects at once with thoughtful prioritization and seeks continuous improvement.
• Ability to handle confidential information and escalate issues when appropriate.
• As a subject-matter-expert, is willing and able to coach partners and transfer knowledge.
• Ability to work within a virtual team and business environment, across different time zones and travel as necessary, sometimes on short notice (up to 40%).

McDonald’s is committed to providing qualified individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their jobs. Additionally, if you (or another applicant of whom you are aware) require assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise seek assistance in the application process, please contact [email protected]

McDonald’s provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.