Talisa Cherfils Consulting

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

08-2007- current                                                                                            Boston, MA

Sr. HR Generalist

I currently provide the highest level of staffing services delivering high quality professional and executive level candidates from various markets.  I perform full life cycle recruiting while maintaining excellent relations with hiring manager, candidates and the community.  I was also able to use my past experience of working with merged and acquired companies to successfully integrate several smaller companies into the major corporate fold.

 

·         Develop and maintain a network of contacts to help identify and source qualified candidates while staying informed of trends and innovative recruiting techniques in order to be competitive in current recruiting practices.

·         Maintain accurate documentation on all candidates, searches, manager interaction and all other recruiting activities to ensure a safe and thorough audit if required.

·         Review and approve all non-voluntary based terminations for consistency and potential claims against the organization.

·         Conduct investigations into claims of sexual harassment and discriminatory harassment; recommend and implement appropriate corrective actions.

·         Manage all RIF’s, including review for potential claims against the company, advising and directing managers on how to conduct termination meetings, coordinating the exit paperwork, and working with the effected staff to assist them in managing though the change.

·         Develop programs to support corporate goals while maintaining lean but effective operating conditions including merging best practices of corporate policies and cultures for acquired organizations resulting in a highly increased retention rate and excellent satisfaction survey reviews.

 

08/2006- 08/2007                                                                                 Lexington, MA

Human Resource Manager

As the HR Manager at leading children's  and specialty footwear company, a substantial part of my role involved developing and initiating programs, policies, initiatives, and strategies that are aligned with strategic objectives. I worked with the leadership team to promote excellent management practices. I was responsible for Associate Relations, managing the HR Service Center and ensuring superior service levels were maintained.

 

·         Lead the performance review process ensuring that staff received timely performance discussions and reviews.  Updated benchmarking and succession plans.

·         Coached and advised Store Managers and District Managers on how to conduct performance based discussions and disciplinary actions.

·         Provided Associates with benefits and policy information, and coached Managers and Associates on corporate policy interpretation via Service Center Concept.

·        Resolved significant Associate Relations issues; investigated, counseled, and mediated disputes when necessary.

·         Managed process improvements to better service clients and to eliminate or streamline work and amount of paperwork.

·         Through calls to the Service Center, identified opportunities to improve communication and/or understanding of policies and benefits and worked with the Director of Benefits to develop communication initiatives.

 

02/2004-08/2006                                                                Needham, MA      

Human Resource Manager

As the Manager of Human Resources it was my responsibility to manage the life cycle of employees and design the workflow from recruitment and selection to separation. In my time with Bennett I successfully acquired over fifty employees through a major acquisition. I also played a major role in the process of being acquired by a leader in the footwear industry, bringing Bennett to the number two position in women’s fashion footwear sold in U.S. department stores.

 

·        Maintained knowledge of legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting human resource functions and ensured policies, procedures, and reporting are in compliance. Kept managers and supervisors informed of updates.

·         Managed employee relations, dispute resolution and employee communication.  Responded to inquiries regarding policies, procedures, and programs.

·        Forecast, recruited, interviewed, tested, and selected employees to fill vacant positions. Designed and placed ads. Managed retention, performance management, monitored career pathing program and outplacement counseling. Prepared employee separation notices, and conducted exit interviews to determine reasons behind voluntary separations.

·         Trained management in interviewing, hiring, terminations, promotions, performance review, safety, and sexual harassment. Provided broad based employee training and development sessions.

·         Administered wage and salary administration program, job classification, performance appraisals, salary surveys, incentive and bonus programs to ensure compliance and equity within organization. Conducted wage surveys within labor market to determine competitive wage rate.

·         Strategic planning, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, succession planning. Guided Senior Management through platform reorganization and involuntary separations.

·         Manage Payroll/Benefits Administrator, who processed bi-weekly and weekly payrolls for over 250 employees. Served as point of contact for all escalated situations regarding employee payroll and benefit issues.

 

2002- 2004                                                                                   Brockton, MA      

HR Generalist

In this role, I addressed employee concerns, issues, grievances, provided employee relations assistance.   Implemented all HR training including training regarding leaves, sexual harassment, cGMP, and company policies.   I managed recruiting and retention, new employee orientation, and the exit process. I served as liaison for all temp service providers as well.  I worked to ensure compliance with FMLA, ADA, ERISA and other State and Federal laws and regulations.  I administered Short-term disability and Family Leave according to federal regulations. It was also my responsibility to manage the bi-weekly and weekly payrolls for over 200 employees.  I was an active member of the Safety Committee and First Aid Team, and ensured OSHA compliance.  I also had the luxury of participating in contract negotiation and bargaining unit agreement discussions, as well as supervising the Front Office Staff. 

 

 

2000- 2002                                                                                  Boston, MA

HR Operations Analyst

I was promoted from Assistant Benefits Manager to the Operations Analyst after a short time at Hill|Holliday.  In this position I reviewed terminations for potential claims against the Agency, manage benefits administration of various programs including health and wellness, transportation, work life benefits and COBRA.   I managed implementation of HRIS/Payroll upgrade and integration and I oversaw the administration of stock options, legal garnishments, short/long term disability and workers comp payments.  When I first arrived at Hill, I handled all aspects of national BI-Weekly and Semi-Monthly payrolls for over 600 employees including the processing of all payroll tax information for the Agency.  Administered COBRA program, eventually taking process in house, saving the agency over $30,000 annually.