Carly Leffakis

In addition to performing the job duties of a Team Member Relations Specialist as outlined below, the Sr. Team Member Relations Specialist leads a team of Team Member Relations Specialists and oversees the regions they support. Additional job responsibilities include Talent Development, 3rd step Grievances, 3rd step appeals, partnership and ownership of higher-level cases and ensuring those Team Member Relations Specialists have the resources and support needed to successfully perform in their roles.

Leading investigations in matters of all Team Member relations issues as well as providing effective solutions and counselling to Leadership to resolve the issue in compliance with federal and state guidelines as well as in alignment with Company practice

• Responsible for Team Member Relations in a region of approximately 4,000 Team Members spanning across Pennsylvania and Ohio
• Owning and promptly investigating complex matters of Harassment, Discrimination, Mistreatment and Retaliation to ensure a Harassment free Workplace is upheld
• Promptly investigating all other Team Member Relations issues and partnering with Leadership to provide effective resolutions
• Advising Leadership on proper disciplinary action and progressive discipline of Team Members
• Providing detailed, concise reporting to properly and effectively document an investigation
• Resolving employee concerns and complaints regarding work-related issues
• Maintaining compliance with HR related laws including ADA, FLSA, ADEA, FMLA, etc
• Partnering with other lines of Business including Loss Prevention, HR Leadership and Legal in order to provide effective solutions to all employee relations matters
• Acting as the Company Representative in Grievance proceedings and providing resolutions consistent with federal, state, and local guidelines, as well as Company practice
• Maintaining knowledge of multiple Union Contracts and fostering positive relationships with Union Leadership
• Providing guidance to store management on the terms of Collective Bargaining agreements and maintaining fair employment practices
• Working in an ever-changing, fast-paced environment with a heavy case load with the ability to remain calm, switch gears and prioritize while ensuring each case is treated with proper attention and detail

• Working in partnership with assigned Business Leaders to investigate Team Member Relation issues, provide HR support, coaching, discipline and policy enforcement in the Pittsburgh area for over2,000 union and non-union Team Members in accordance with the Company’s business strategies
• Promptly and effectively investigate Team Member relations issues and proposing recommendations to management for resolution
• Acting as the Company Representative in Grievance proceedings and providing resolutions consistent with federal, state, and local guidelines, as well as Company policies
• Maintaining compliance with HR related laws including ADA, FLSA, ADEA, FMLA, etc
• Creating and maintaining excellent relationships with Store Leadership, union stewards, and representatives of UFCW Local1776 in order to maintain positive and productive business practices
• Management of 9 Direct Reports including coaching, developing and supporting their careers on a daily basis
• Providing guidance to store management on the terms of collective bargaining agreements and maintaining fair employment practices
• Meeting with Business Leaders on a regular basis to stay updated on changing business needs
• Mentoring management on handling sensitive performance management and other Team Member Relations matters
• Acting as a trusted liaison between Giant Eagle Retail Team Members and Corporate HR to ensure corporate policies, procedures, and initiatives are fully understood, implemented and maintained
• Partnering with Retail Locations to ensure all staffing needs are met for all union and non-union positions
• Evaluate all hiring processes, including orientation and onboarding and making recommendations for positive change to reduce turnover and improve morale
• Training and mentoring new HR Business Partners
• Training new Leaders on progressive discipline in accordance with company policies
• Leading projects as assigned including Store Conversions from Independent to Corporate, Store Closings and other projects as assigned

• Providing Human Resources functions within a store for 400+ Team Members
• Accurately submitting weekly payroll and completing overtime, labor cost, and hours comparison reports
• Assisting Team Members with requests for Leaves of Absence, Payroll, Benefits, and all other HR related inquiries
• Assisting team members with day to day questions and any work-related issues regarding scheduling discrepancies, contract violations, etc
• Assisting Leadership with administering progressive discipline in accordance with Company Policies
• Facilitating the talent life cycle for all candidates including completion of phone screens, coordinating hiring manager interviews, completing post offer paperwork, submitting background checks and pre- orientation preparations
• Accurately completing I-9 paperwork and facilitating orientation for all new hire team members
• Daily attendance tracking and attendance write ups
• Organizing and filing of all team member documents and confidential files