Joanne Wright Email & Phone Number

United States

San Jose, Ca, Us

In support of San Jose State University’s mission, I work directly with senior leadership both on-campus and systemwide to provide strategic leadership and vision for the development, implementation and ongoing assessment of comprehensive, innovative, proactive and customer-centric personnel policies and procedures for all University personnel (faculty and staff) throughout the employee lifecycle within parameters established by California State University (CSU) and SJSU policies and guidelines as well as applicable laws and regulations. I am charged with inspiring confidence and trust among administrators, faculty and staff through effective communications while working to achieve operational goals and responsibilities and championing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Core services include, but are not limited to talent acquisition and retention, benefits, payroll, workers’ compensation, leaves of absence, training, campus wellness programming, performance management, on and off-boarding, personnel information systems, complaint and grievance processes, employee conduct/discipline, and all other employee and labor relations matters within the collective bargaining environment in a higher education environment. My position also has key participation in oversight of legal matters in the employment realm.

San Jose, Ca, Us

Provide San Jose State University with experienced, collegial, academically-focused leadership in the development and administration of personnel procedures for Unit 3 (faculty, librarians, coaches, counselors) and Unit 11 (Teaching Assistants, Graduate Assistants, and Instructional Student Assistants) as determined by the policies of SJSU, the CSU, appropriate state and federal statutes, and the Collective Bargaining Agreements between CSU and the California Faculty Association (Unit 3) and the United Auto Workers (Unit 11). Administration of the CBAs including regular training for staff, department chairs, and administrators on the agreements; Interpret, develop, and disseminate policies related to academic personnel issues such as discipline, recruitment, leaves of absence, immigration, retention, tenure, and promotion; Provide expert advice regarding these personnel issues to the AVP and other administrators; Hear, investigate, and prepare responses to grievances; work with Human Resources, Office of General Counsel, departments/colleges, and the California Faculty Association on academic personnel matters; serve as work lead for staff assigned to processing grievances, immigration, leaves of absence, range elevation; work with the Office of Equal Opportunity, the Ombudsperson, and the Office of the Chancellor to facilitate a positive outcome in the investigations (discrimination, sexual harassment, workplace violence) conducted by those offices. As Deputy Title IX Coordinator, investigate Title IX cases as assigned by Title IX Officer. Serve on Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT).

Defense of agency charges, unfair labor practices and a broad range of employment related issues, including workplace harassment; Provide advice and counsel on workplace law issues to ensure compliance and reduce litigation risk; Represent PHA in discrimination and wage and hour class actions; Supervise and conduct internal investigations; Represent PHA before administrative agencies such as the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Labor, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations; Counsel PHA with regard to wage and hour laws and regulations, union matters, and other state and federal labor and employment and related laws regulating employers; Act proactively to make recommendations about human resources matters at PHA; Provide counsel and advice about discipline, including terminations, and other matters; Supervise other attorneys, outside and inside, handling PHA labor and employment matters.

Oversee management of all legal matters of company; oversee Human Resources/Benefits and Payroll departments and ensure compliance with all employment and wage laws/regulations; review and respond to Administrative/Agency matters such as EEOC, PHRC, PCHR, NLRB, DOL claims/complaints; represent company at agency interviews, mediations, hearings; create and implement service contracts and ensure compliance; conduct Union negotiations and manage multiple Collective Bargaining Agreements at various sites; develop pricing for proposals for company’s bids on private and public facilities contracts; engage in contract negotiations with governmental, arts, education and event operations and facilities representatives; conduct internal fact-finding investigations on various matters interviewing employees, supervisors, managers and outside constituents where necessary; create/review policies/procedures that implement best practices for company; manage outside counsel on lawsuits, arbitrations; implement continuous improvements/updates on HRIS and payroll systems such as Self-Serve capabilities for employees and integrated scheduling and time and attendance software to facilitate employee tracking.

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Represented employers in federal and state court, administrative hearings and arbitrations in all aspects of labor and employment law; prepared numerous Affirmative Action Plans in compliance with OFCCP regulations; researched and reviewed various statutes and legal requirements regulating higher education institutions to counsel university and college clients in best practices; prepared handbooks and employment policies for employers; counseled employers on various federal and state labor and employment laws/regulations including National Labor Relations Act, FLSA, Title VII, USERRA, FMLA, ADA, Pennsylvania Wage and Collection Law; conducted presentations/trainings on Harassment in the Workplace and other pertinent topics.

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Represented employers in all aspects of labor and employment law and benefits (ERISA) matters in federal and state court, administrative hearings and arbitrations.

Juris Doctor

B.A.

Certificate, French

Certificate, French Language And Culture, Fine Arts