Rhonda Willis Email and Phone Number

Compliance, performance coaching, union relations/negotiations, recruitment/job descriptions, benefits/leave administration.

‣ Spearheaded implementation of recruitment, employee relations, and compliance initiatives; developed HR business partner relationships to address specific department needs.‣ Launched an Employee Relations department; supervised 4 direct staff members, oversaw union negotiations, transitioned to a paperless department, and built union relationships.‣ Led project management initiative for 6-person committee to identify, secure, and implement Kronos, a Human Resources Information System (HRIS).‣ Conducted Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) investigations and drafted responses resulting in findings with 90% employer favorability, reducing legal costs and liability.‣ Served as the Chief Union Negotiator for 2 contract ratifications; hosted negotiation strategy meetings, reviewed previous strategies, and acted as the negotiation point of contact.‣ Represented the company in 20+ grievance and arbitration hearings; improved EEO response times, proactively addressed and documented issues, and cultivated better union relationships to reduce hearings.‣ Coached 50+ leaders through developing and implementing retention strategies that increased employee retention by 60%+ year-over-year (YOY).‣ Advised leaders on employee assessments, communication, performance improvement plans (PIP), and rapport-building.

‣ Orchestrated reorganization efforts for a client, serving as the Transition Coordinator to convert 100 independent contractors to employees, mitigating legal risks and ensuring compliance.‣ Established a fully functional HR department for the client; established a payroll system, secured worker compensation insurance, and consulted on fostering positive employee relations.‣ Authored numerous EEO responses and consulted on mediation and arbitration cases achieving favorable client outcomes 90% of the time.‣ Produced and facilitated interactive, needs-based client training for 25+ people; consulted managers to identify and address developmental opportunities. ‣ Orchestrated new employee orientations, formalized an onboarding process, established 30, 60, and 90-day checkpoints, and implemented performance management initiatives.‣ Composed a policy and employee handbook detailing harassment, discrimination, leave of absences, performance evaluation, and compliance policies and procedures.‣ Consulted Detroit Department of Human Rights to inform the development of accommodation policies for customers and employees with disabilities.

‣ Managed all HR functions for a mid-sized law firm, including recruitment, policy development, employee relations, compensation, payroll management, and benefits administration.‣ Designed recruitment strategies to attract legal talent, including attending job fairs, building strategic corporate partnerships, and facilitating recruiting events with community groups.‣ Executed the transfer of a $50M+ pension plan to improve oversight and administration; sourced an actuary and accounting firm to define the plan.‣ Developed and managed a comprehensive $100K+ annual health benefit plan; partnered with a third-party administrator (TPA) to identify cost savings opportunities, create benefit documentation, and revamp open enrollment systems.‣ Drove the implementation of Abra HRMS to transition to paperless storage of files and documents; collaborated with IT to identify the system and develop and execute a project plan.

‣ Contracted and hired to develop and maintain the Human Resources Information Systems for a growing human resources division.‣ Performed recruiting, benefits administration, and employee relations.