Employee Relations Consultant

We’re determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals – and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future.          

The Employee Relations Consultant operates as a trusted advisor, risk informed consultant, and judgment-based decision partner to leaders and employees. This role has evolved beyond transactional ER support to focus on independent decision making, leader enablement, and proactive risk mitigation in a complex and often ambiguous environment.

They are expected to manage sensitive ER matters end-to-end, exercise sound judgment when policy or process is not definitive, and influence high quality outcomes aligned to company values, employee trust, and business priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic ER Consultation & Leader Enablement

• Provide independent consultation and coaching to leaders and employees across performance, conduct, accommodations, leave, workplace conflict, investigations, and employment actions

• Partner with leaders to navigate ambiguous situations where there is no clear “right answer

• Build and present recommendations that balance fairness, risk, precedent, and employee experience

• Influence defensible, values aligned decisions without relying solely on policy or escalation

• Demonstrates a transformation‑oriented mindset by continuously evaluating ER work, processes, and customer needs through a customer‑first, enterprise lens; intentionally prioritizing automation, technology, AI enablement, and leader/employee education as the primary means of meeting demand.

ER Case Management & Investigations

• Independently manage complex and sensitive ER cases from intake through resolution

• Conduct or support investigations using consistent, equitable, and precedent-based practices

• Maintain accurate, timely, and well-reasoned documentation that clearly articulates judgment and rationale

• Partner closely with internal stakeholders to drive aligned outcomes

Operating in the Grey

• Make informed decisions without all the information, clearly articulating knowns, unknowns, and assumptions

• Build recommendations when guidance, precedent, or process is incomplete or unclear

• Distinguish when to pause, proceed, or escalate—and explain why

• Help leaders move forward responsibly under uncertainty rather than defaulting to inaction

Data Informed Risk Assessment

• Use ER data, case trends, and context to inform recommendations and decision making

• Identify emerging patterns or repeat drivers that may indicate broader risk

• Partner with leadership to surface insights and inform proactive interventions

Digital & AI Fluency

• Leverage systems, digital workflows, and AI enabled tools responsibly to support documentation, analysis, and consultation

• Maintain high standards of confidentiality, ethical use, and data integrity

• Adapt quickly as tools and processes evolve

Collaboration, Inclusion & Professional Presence

• Build trust-based relationships with leaders, employees, and HR partners

• Demonstrate empathy, emotional intelligence, and cultural competence in sensitive situations

• Maintain steady, professional presence in high pressure or emotionally charged conversations

• Promote fairness, psychological safety, and consistency in all ER work

Experience

• 3+ years of HR experience within an Employee Relations function of a complex organization (Required)

• Demonstrated experience managing ER cases that require judgment, discretion, and influence

Skills & Competencies

• Independent judgment and comfort operating in ambiguity

• Strong consulting and coaching skills; ability to influence without authority

• Ability to balance competing risks (legal, cultural, reputational, equity)

• Effective written and verbal communication, including documentation of rationale and decision making

• Data literacy and ability to extract insights from trends

• Strong integrity, professionalism, and discretion

Preferred / Emerging Skills

• Experience using ER or risk platforms (e.g., Workday, Archer) and analytics tools

• Familiarity with AI enabled tools and digital case management

• Prior experience supporting leaders through change, time pressure, or uncertainty

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Leaders trust your judgment and seek your input early

• You move work forward even when certainty is not available

• Your recommendations are clear, defensible, and aligned to values

• Issues are resolved thoughtfully, and repeated risks are reduced

• You are seen as a calm, credible presence in complex situations

The ER Consultant does not wait for perfect information—they use judgment to guide leaders through complexity with confidence and care.

This role can have a Hybrid or Remote work arrangement.  Candidates who live near one of our office locations will have the expectation of working in an office 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday).   Candidates who do not live near an office will have a remote work arrangement, with the expectation of coming into an office only as business needs arise.

Compensation

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of The Hartford’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition. The annualized base pay range for this role is:

The posted salary range reflects our ability to hire at different position titles and levels depending on background and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Sex/Race/Color/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age