Sr People People Consultant & Accommodation Partner

Workday•Pleasanton, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Your work days are brighter here. We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too. About the Team Our People Consultant and Accommodation team supports Workmates across the Americas and around the globe as part of the Global People Relations and Compliance organization. We partner directly with people leaders and employees to provide performance support, reasonable accommodation guidance, and practical coaching. The team collaborates closely across P&P and business partners to develop and refine policies and processes, use data to inform decisions, and act as trusted advisors to the business. About the Role This hybrid role is for an HR professional who will operate as both a senior people consultant and a subject matter expert on accommodations. You will spend roughly 50% of your time leading and consulting on employee and candidate accommodations, and 50% providing people consulting support on performance, policy guidance, and manager coaching. You will work with people leaders to set clear expectations, address performance and support employees through key moments in the employment lifecycle. You will also serve as a point of contact for Workmates and candidates requesting accommodations, ensuring they receive timely, consistent, and compliant support, and you will help shape how our global accommodation and people consulting practices evolve over time. About You Accommodation Partner (approximately 50%) Support the accommodation program across the Americas and EMEA in close partnership with the Global Accommodation Program Manager. Serve as a senior advisor on complex accommodation cases, partnering with HR, Legal, Talent Acquisition, Security, IT, and Facilities to ensure consistent, compliant, and scalable practices. Respond to employee and candidate requests for reasonable accommodations, guide them through the interactive process, and obtain and maintain required documentation. Use a case management system (HR Acuity) to maintain accurate, timely, and well-documented case records. Review and interpret relevant medical and job-related information to help identify and implement effective, reasonable accommodations. Distinguish essential and non-essential job functions and translate that analysis into clear documentation, guidance, and recommendations. Approve and/or negotiate reasonable accommodations and, when appropriate, deny requests based on consistent criteria and relevant factors, clearly communicating rationale and next steps. Identify trends, risks, and gaps within the accommodation program and propose or implement improvements to processes, tools, communications, and training. Manage a high volume of accommodation cases while leading with Workday’s values and maintaining a high standard of quality and professionalism. People Consulting (approximately 50%) Act as a trusted advisor to employees and managers on sensitive work-related issues, including performance concerns, behavior expectations, and team dynamics. Coach managers on effective performance management practices, including expectation setting, feedback, documentation, and performance improvement plans. Provide clear, practical interpretation of company policies, culture, and values, and guide managers and employees through complex or unique situations. Partner closely with HR Business Partners and Talent Services colleagues on both ongoing cases and broader programs Analyze data and trends across cases and teams to identify patterns, risks, and opportunities, and develop proactive recommendations for leaders and HR partners. Lead or contribute to cross-functional HR projects and programs, including scoping, stakeholder alignment, change management, and communication. Build strong, collaborative relationships with HR, Legal, and business leaders to ensure aligned, consistent support for employees and managers.

Requirements

7+ years of relevant experience in employee relations, HR generalist, or HR business partner roles, including substantial hands-on accommodation case management experience with employees, candidates, and cross-functional partners.
Strong knowledge of relevant employment standards and legislation.
Thorough knowledge of U.S. federal and state disability laws related to accommodations for employees and candidates with disabilities, including ADA/ADAAA and FMLA.
Demonstrated experience resolving complex and sensitive employee issues and influencing decisions at multiple levels of the organization.
Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively, building trust-based relationships with peers, managers, executives, and cross-functional partners.
Strong judgment and critical thinking skills with the ability to balance legal risk, business needs, and employee experience.
Consistent focus on delivering an outstanding employee experience and high-quality customer service.
Experience communicating complex or difficult decisions clearly, respectfully, and with appropriate context, especially in relation to disability and accommodation matters.
Experience exercising independent judgment and discretion while applying company policies and practices to individual situations.

Responsibilities

Support the accommodation program across the Americas and EMEA in close partnership with the Global Accommodation Program Manager.
Serve as a senior advisor on complex accommodation cases, partnering with HR, Legal, Talent Acquisition, Security, IT, and Facilities to ensure consistent, compliant, and scalable practices.
Respond to employee and candidate requests for reasonable accommodations, guide them through the interactive process, and obtain and maintain required documentation.
Use a case management system (HR Acuity) to maintain accurate, timely, and well-documented case records.
Review and interpret relevant medical and job-related information to help identify and implement effective, reasonable accommodations.
Distinguish essential and non-essential job functions and translate that analysis into clear documentation, guidance, and recommendations.
Approve and/or negotiate reasonable accommodations and, when appropriate, deny requests based on consistent criteria and relevant factors, clearly communicating rationale and next steps.
Identify trends, risks, and gaps within the accommodation program and propose or implement improvements to processes, tools, communications, and training.
Manage a high volume of accommodation cases while leading with Workday’s values and maintaining a high standard of quality and professionalism.
Act as a trusted advisor to employees and managers on sensitive work-related issues, including performance concerns, behavior expectations, and team dynamics.
Coach managers on effective performance management practices, including expectation setting, feedback, documentation, and performance improvement plans.
Provide clear, practical interpretation of company policies, culture, and values, and guide managers and employees through complex or unique situations.
Partner closely with HR Business Partners and Talent Services colleagues on both ongoing cases and broader programs
Analyze data and trends across cases and teams to identify patterns, risks, and opportunities, and develop proactive recommendations for leaders and HR partners.
Lead or contribute to cross-functional HR projects and programs, including scoping, stakeholder alignment, change management, and communication.
Build strong, collaborative relationships with HR, Legal, and business leaders to ensure aligned, consistent support for employees and managers.