Career Highlights and Specialties

 

Experienced, influential and progressive HR Professional providing strategic oversight and leadership in the areas of labor and employee relations, talent acquisition, conflict resolution, performance management, workforce restructuring, collective bargaining negotiations, employee litigation and HR compliance and policy development

Human Resources

Highly experienced Human Resources Professional in a government, health and human service agency, and health care environment with strong track record of aligning union and nonunion performance issues with improved productivity and efficiency.

Analytics & Problem Solving

A strong, collaborative leader, analytical problem solver and persuasive communicator, Ms. Yurkovetskaya is known for practical problem solving/resolution and results-oriented focus. A resourceful organizer and expert project manager, her disciplined, multi-tasking and energetic management style is effective for resolving difficult and risky Labor–Management issues.

Employee Relations

A top-performing Labor & Employment and Human Resources professional credited with combining in-depth regulatory knowledge, business acumen, and employee relations expertise to deliver substantial gains in employee engagement and enterprise compliance. Highly accomplished in consultative problem solving and the ability to build and maintain relationships. Developed great working relationships with union agents.

Culture

Career and personal objectives include direct participation and influence in leading the strategic mission and culture of an organization to result in an energized and engaged workforce, aligned with organizational and team success.

Project Management

An expert in managing projects and implementing policies that streamline procedures and deliver bottom line results.

Communications

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively work with all levels of staff and management including those with diverse multicultural backgrounds.

Key Roles per Organization

 

Prime Healthcare

  • Responsible for all Employee and Labor Relations activities
  • Provides guidance to management on all labor and employment law issues
  • Conducts investigations & solves workplace issues, including but not limited to allegations of discrimination and misconduct
  • Solely responsible for handling all Union related work for 3 Collective Bargaining units
  • Provides contract interpretation and manages contract administration
  • Recommends appropriate disciplinary action
  • Serves as hearing officer for grievance process
  • Reviews and updates company policies
  • Acts as Primary liaison to outside labor and employment counsel
  • Conducts exit interviews
  • Oversees unemployment benefits vendor

FEGS

  • Reduced unemployment claims by such methods as preparing internal management staff for hearings, and auditing charge-back reports
  • Conducted and proactively trained management in “just cause” disciplinary standards, employment law and labor relation matters. Successful resolution of 15 out of 15 EEOC claims
  • Partnered with legal counsel on unionized facilities before the National Labor Relations Board in areas of risk management and complex investigations to reduce potential liabilities
  • Minimized grievance and arbitration complaints through coaching supervisors and employees, gaining trust of union leaders and management, preparing and presenting various training modules
  • Conducted extensive training on employment laws, legal compliance and leadership development

NYC Government

  • Managed Labor Relations programs, policies, and procedures
  • Established and maintained positive Labor-Management Relations
  • Managed and directed all Labor Relations activities including coaching, counseling, and advising management at all levels to ensure consistent administration of Collective Bargaining Agreement, HR Policies, and applicable state and federal legislations
  • Developed recommendations for complex employee issues.
  • Investigated, conducted research, prepared documentation, and company response to EEOC charges of discrimination, Unfair Labor Practice charges at the NLRB, and grievances filed by the Union
  • Liaison with legal counsel
  • Arbitration Advocate
  • Conducted Labor Relations Training for Managers and Supervisors
  • Heard grievances on behalf of Management
  • Built and managed Labor-Management relationships
  • Provided Labor Relations guidance to management
  • Investigated grievances at the higher steps of the grievance procedure
  • Ensured consistent compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement
  • Supported the reduction of employee conflict
  • Furnished Information requested by the Unions for their grievance preparation
  • Represented Management in Local Negotiations and Labor Management Meetings
  • Prepared and maintained Labor Management minutes
  • Interpreted the Collective Bargaining Agreements for compliance
  • Audited grievances to improve the Labor Relations climate
  • Scheduled Labor Management Meetings with various unions
  • Represented Management in Arbitration, Unfair Labor Practices, EEO and Unemployment hearings

 

Areas of Expertise

 

  • Labor Relations/Employee Relations
  • Extensive knowledge of state & federal employment laws
  • Recruitment, training, and staff development
  • Management counseling
  • Performance Management
  • Succession planning
  • Compensation and benefits