Employee Relations Officer (ERO)

Your people-practices subject matter expert; overseer of formal employee grievances.

Fall 2022 Recap

Thank you to everyone who came out to meet ACC's inaugural ERO, Kelly Torrico, as she visited all campuses across the district. Kelly was joined by Amanda Dean, ACC Ombudsperson, to share the different ways in which they each serve employees. The spring semester will bring more opportunities to connect with employees. Keep up with the ERO's official newsletter, EROpen Forum to learn more. 

Have a concern that you'd like to connect about? Employees and supervisors visit the Employee Relations or Ombudsperson scheduling pages to easily find a time to meet.

Previous EROpen Forum Editions

EROpen Forum | Introduction

EROpen Forum | Performance Evaluations

EROpen Forum | Statistics and Training

Introduction

The Employee Relations Officer role was created in 2022 to invest in the development of faculty and staff, enhance communication across the College, foster trust and consistency in our People practices. The vision of this role is to continue building our culture and value as an employer, and provide feedback how to better serve our mission by offering an employee experience that is positive and progressive.
The Employee Relations Officer serves as a neutral and unbiased thought partner and subject-matter expert on team leadership and supervision, and formal or informal communication pertaining to individual or team performance. The ERO is also responsible for the timely and unbiased resolution of formally filed Employee Grievances.

Services Overview

Feedback for staff and faculty on:

• Communicating with supervisors or reports
• Retaining and developing team and individual talent
• Developing performance in yourself or a direct report
• Handling conflicts/disputes

Workshops & Training

• New leader assimilation
• Respectful workplace
• Custom and per your request!

Case management of formal employee grievances

Employees can reference the following to have a better understanding of the grievance process:

ACC Administrative Rule
Guideline/Procedure
Board Policy Reference

• Filed within 30 days of the (most recent) incident, or knowledge of the incident, beginning after any attempted informal resolution
• Provide written outcome of the Grievance within 90 College business days (unless otherwise stated by ERO in writing)
• Escalate Grievance to the appropriate Executive Vice Chancellor or their delegate if supervisor does not respond (without ERO extension granted) within ten College business days

Benefits of Speaking with the ERO

• Neutral, non-judgmental thought partner on matters related to employee performance
• Prevention of conflict escalation to the point of formal grievance or other action
• Proactive investment in the development and performance of yourself or your team

Contact the Employee Relations Officer

Schedule an Appointment

Email the ERO

File a formal Employee Grievance

Frequently Asked Questions

• When should I go to the Ombudsperson instead of the ERO?

  • The Ombudsperson is an informal resource available to ACC faculty and staff. You should contact the Ombuds when you:

    • Need to talk to someone "off the record"
    • Want to resolve a problem informally
    • Need help communicating about something
    • Are seeking a facilitated conversation and the other party is agreeable
    • Seek resources or referral

     

• When should I go to HR instead of the ERO?

  • The Human Resources Department is also a formal resource that can help if:

    • You have a question about an HR action, form, tool, or system
    • You have questions about existing talent and performance development programs, tools, or resources
    • You have a discrepancy or question regarding benefits, training, onboarding, hiring, or other transaction
    • When you’re not sure who to go to with your question!

     

• Who Does the Employee Relations Officer Report To?

  • To maintain the principle of unbiased neutrality, the ERO reports to the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance. The Office reports directly to the executive vice chancellor of Finance & Administration.

Not finding what you are looking for?

Contact the Office of the Ombudsperson for confidential help, informal resolution, or referral to tools/resources.
Contact the Office of Human Resources if you have questions about your benefits, salary, or existing HR tool or resource.
Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance if you believe you have faced illegal discrimination, harassment, or retaliation

Resources

Resolution of an Employee Grievance

Grievance Process Form

Equal Opportunity Compliance Office

The Mediation Process

Bullying/Harassment Fact Sheet