Employee Relations Services

The Employee Relations Department is dedicated to promoting a cohesive, effective and high performing work environment while remaining focused on the greater mission, vision and values of Emory University.

What we do

Employee Relations is committed to serving its role in an impartial and unbiased manner, serving as an advocate for neither employee nor manager.

Employee Relations seeks to address and resolve workplace issues through productive dialogue, characterized by openness, trust and collaboration. We are available to provide counsel, guidance and advice to employees, supervisors and leaders on general or specific matters pertaining to work-related issues and concerns such as:

  • performance management
  • interpretation of policies and procedures
  • disciplinary actions
  • reductions in force
  • leaves of absence
  • other related employee or departmental-specific needs

Employee Relations endeavors to achieve consistent treatment of all employees resulting in greater employee experience, productivity and engagement with particular emphasis on the prevention or resolution of problems arising from work situations. Among other tasks, Employee Relations is charged with:

  • Proper interpretation and application of all relevant Human Resources policies and procedures
  • Promoting, encouraging and strengthening communication between employees their supervisors, and institutional leaders
  • Establishing and promoting reciprocated trust and dialogue within Emory University’s employee community
  • Provision of fair, reliable and effective resolution of inquiries in a timely manner

Employee Relations strives to prevent, and when necessary, resolve employee issues that may affect the work environment through:

Alternative dispute resolution techniques such as:

  • Collaboration
  • Conciliation and conflict resolution
  • Mediation
  • Negotiated separation

Facilitated discussions by:

  • Distinguishing the issues or concerns at stake
  • Clarifying specific examples of the behavior to be discussed
  • Identifying consequences if the issues or concerns cannot be resolved
  • Facilitating dialogue between the conflicting parties
  • Defining ways that the conflict might be resolved or at least mitigated