JAMES A. WATSON, SPHR11928 Sorrento Blvd.

Sterling Heights, MI 48312

jwatson1191@wowway.com (586) 531-1977

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswatsonsphr

SUMMARY

Accomplished customer-focused business partner with more than 19 years of comprehensive Human Resources Generalist experience in union and non-union environments providing leadership and advice to business leaders and managers on the people-related matters impacting their operations. Strengths and experience include:

• Labor Law Understanding and Compliance including FMLA, EEO, ADAAA, USERRA, FLSA, NLRA

• Employee Performance Evaluation Administration

• Policy and Procedure Development and Administration

• Management and Employee Training

• Harassment/Concerns Investigations

AMERICAN RED CROSS NATIONAL TESTING LABORATORY Detroit, MI 14+ years

1997-2011

Senior Human Resources Generalist

Managed and coordinated a comprehensive range of Human Resources functions including Talent Acquisition; Employee On-Boarding; Policy and Procedure Development and Guidance; Employee Relations; Leaves Administration; Performance Management Oversight and Consultation; Compliance Oversight; Benefits Management; Training; Affirmative Action Plan Administration; Compensation Administration; HRIS Administration; Reporting including EEO-1 and VETS-100; Employee Off-Boarding; Unemployment and Workers Compensation administration including coaching and preparing managers for hearings.

Formerly managed Safety and MSDS Programs.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Successfully started Human Resources function from ground up. • Successfully defended all lawsuits; no findings. • Successfully resolved all Workers Compensation disputes through settlement without any

findings. • No administrative findings/compliance issues from any inspections from/complaints filed with

OFCCP, EEOC/MDCR, New York State Department of Health. • Developed training materials and trained management team on changes to ADA and FMLA;

training materials used by other members of the organization’s Human Resources community.• Supported, planned and successfully implemented numerous reductions in force including

employee transfers to other positions.

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• Supported, introduced and trained management and employees on new Performance Management process.James Watson page two

• Supported and helped implement a major enterprise-wide HRIS upgrade including on-going management training and employee awareness meetings.

• Helped develop Pandemic Flu preparedness plan.• Implemented a new enterprise-wide Employee Handbook, including management training and

employee awareness meetings.

ST. JOSEPH’S MERCY LIVING CENTER Hamtramck, MI 4+ years

1991-1996

Human Resources Manager

Managed a variety of HR functions including recruitment of nursing home staff from entry level service employees to licensed staff and supervisors/department managers; reference and license verifications; pre-employment tests and physicals; new employee orientations, payroll assistance; benefits administration; employee relations; grievance administration and collective bargaining agreement management

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Successfully started Human Resources Department from ground up. • Increased success rate in hiring and retaining licensed professionals through focused attention

on effective recruitment activities.• Decreased significantly staff turnover through effective staff selection.• Eliminated temporary agency usage within four months of hire resulting in an overall savings

of $32,000+ for first fiscal year with organization.• Developed a number of reporting mechanisms and evaluation processes including Applicant

Flow Logs; New Hire, Termination and Turnover Reports; Exit Interview Survey Analyses.• Successfully marketed facility resulting in a 7% increase in resident census.

EDUCATION

Master of Arts, Industrial Relations, Wayne State UniversityBachelor of Arts, Psychology, Wayne State University

TRAINING

Predictive Index AnalystFrontline Leadership through Zenger Miller/GlobalAchieve

OSHA 10-Hour Safety: General Industry

MEMBERSHIPS

Society for Human Resource Management Human Resources Association of Greater Detroit

Past member: Labor and Employment Relations Association

AWARDS

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American Red Cross Employee Excellence Award

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