Counsel - Employment

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

SUMMARY

Acts with a high degree of autonomy and authority to provide legal counsel to the full panoply of employment and labor issues in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Provides guidance and training to leadership and other internal teams on relevant federal, state/provincial, and local employment laws. Stays abreast of legislative, regulatory and judicial developments to ensure the Company remains compliant.

Works with H.R. and leadership to proactively identify and mitigate potential liability. Sets the strategy and manages all types of employment claims and litigation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide expertise and advice on all aspects of labor and employment laws in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, including, but not limited to:
  • Recruitment, hiring, discipline, performance management, and employment terminations
  • Medical leaves of absences, disability accommodations, and sick time/leave laws
  • Allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
  • Employment agreements and employee obligations, including related to confidentiality and restrictive covenants
  • Immigration laws
  • Wage and hour regulations
  • Employee benefits such as leaves of absence, incentive plans, and other benefit plans or programs
  • Collective bargaining, contract interpretation/administration, and related labor law issues
  • Acquisition due diligence and contractual terms and conditions related to employment and to support Human Resources Department
• Partners with various team members in Human Resources, including but not limited to Talent, Compensation, Total Rewards, Payroll, and business partners, to support compliance with applicable employment laws
• Develop, review, and update employment contracts, separation/severance agreements, and company policies and procedures
• Develops and conduct regular trainings, as needed, on relevant employment law topics for management and other internal personnel (e.g., conducting investigations, performance management, labor law issues, etc.)
• Serves as in-house counsel and subject matter expert to business leadership on matters related to labor and employment law
• Proactively monitor evolving labor and employment regulations to guide the Company's actions to maintain compliance and achieve business objectives
• Supports Human Resources by conducting, overseeing, and/or providing advice on workplace investigations
• Drafts, reviews, and supports Human Resources and/or Corporate Communications with respect to employee communications
• Provides support to General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in preparation of Board reports and with other duties as assigned
• Responds to ethics hotline issues and provide other support related to the administration of the company hotline
• Manage legal claims against the Company, including responding to administrative charges lawsuits, and investigations before federal and state agencies
• May be required to make court appearances, participate in mediations and/or other external hearings or proceedings
• Select, manage, and supervise external legal counsel where specialized legal services are required and oversee interface between external counsel and internal personnel to ensure successful, cost-efficient, quality outcomes
• Additional duties may be assigned from time to time

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctorate degree and licensed, as a member in good standing, to practice law in Texas, or otherwise eligible to practice as an in-house corporate attorney
• Strong academic credentials from a top-rated accredited law school
• Minimum of three to five years of experience, preferably with major law firm and/or in-house corporate experience, providing advice and counsel and handling litigation related to all aspects of labor and employment law
• Ability to stay organized, prioritize, and work well under pressure while consistently meeting time sensitive deadlines
• Strong interpersonal, writing and verbal communications skills to effectively interact with individuals at various levels of the organization
• Strong business acumen with an ability to balance legal and business requirements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here.You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.