Human Resources Generalists

    As Yale responds to the dynamic opportunities presented by a global environment and the challenges of new technology, it requires highly skilled staff members, who are able to change direction quickly, and respond to evolving departmental business needs.

    For information about benefits, payroll or employee profile, contact the Employee Service Center. 

    Find Your Human Resources Generalist (HRG)

    Your Human Resources Generalist (HRG) plays a key role in helping your department achieve its objectives in support of the University’s mission. Find your HRG by department, manager, or campus location in Workday. Each department has their own designated Generalist.

    Your HRG is your one-stop-contact who serves as your strategic business partner and who provides guidance on HR policy and administration, employee relations, and managing change within your department.

    Strategic Business Partner

    The HRG helps departments to create a work environment, which motivates and inspires people to contribute at a high level and experience job satisfaction. As a strategic business partner, the HRG:

    • Collaborates with departments to address current and future hiring needs and to ensure that staffing plans achieve and maintain diverse staff representation.
    • Develops and updates new and existing department position descriptions.
    • Assists in creating and sustaining a collaborative labor-management environment.
    • Provides guidance to managers on various compensation issues.
    • Helps departments develop current staff members’ capacity for growth and change throughout the employment cycle.
    • Assists units in implementing FOCUS, Yale’s performance management program.

    HR Policy and Administration

    Provides guidance in interpreting and applying policy, procedures, union contractual obligations, and employment law to a variety of employment situations. The HRG works collaboratively with management and staff to:

    • Manage leaves of absence in compliance with FMLA, ADA and contractual standards.
    • Establish special accommodations for existing staff members.
    • Ensure compliance with state and federal employment laws; process CHRO, EEOC and FLSA complaints.
    • Conduct due diligence with regard to departmental restructuring and reviewing requests for layoffs.
    • Make referrals to Benefits specialists (retirement and health and welfare) as needed.

    Employee Relations

    Fosters effective methods of goal setting, communication and empowerment. Your HRG:

    • Acts as liaison for skills training and career development.
    • Promotes communication between managers and employees.
    • Suggests various approaches to solving people-management problems.
    • Assists in making referrals to Yale Signature Benefits.

    Managing Change

    Knows how to link change strategies to the business needs and academic goals of the University, to increase employee satisfaction and to minimize resistance to change. Your HRG:

    • Provides expertise in all aspects of human resource strategy and people-management to units across the campus.
    • Assists in developing high-functioning teams.
    • Supports two-way communication among all members of a department in times of change.