carmencita velazquez

* Facilitate the growth of J&J businesses in Latin America through the delivery of best in class Employee and Labor Relations services, resources and tools. Provide expertise and guidance for complex cross-country, cross-business employee relations matters * implement leading edge ER/ LR policies, processes and practices * create a community of interest to enhance the growth and development of ER/LR expertise and talent in the region * and support J&J businesses’ compliance with employment and labor laws and regulations in all countries where we operate within Latin America.

Manage and assume the lead in the resolution of complex employee relations' issues and proactively manage potential labor relations issues with specific emphasis on Federal and State laws, regulations and practices. Work as a trusted partner and an extension of Human Resources managers on people issues and recommend courses of action on issues investigated for all the affiliates in the Island. Provide education and training to Human Resources personnel, other work streams, line and service centers, as may be required. Provide thought leadership and knowledge transfer to HR Business Partner. Benchmark leading-edge practices and share those across the organization. Share best practices and innovative approaches to strengthen and improve labor relations to achieve operating, company business objectives. Develop Puerto Rico-specific tool-kits concerning major laws and regulations for use by Human Resources and managers and include provisions applicable under Puerto Rico laws and regulations.

* Provide legal advice to clients regarding employment issues * litigate complex employment discrimination, unjust dismissal, wage and hour and other employment related cases in federal and local administrative and judicial forums * manage employees’ relations issues within the Firm as requested by its Administrator * assign cases to the associates within the Labor Department of the Firm and monitor their performance and productivity.

Set the strategic direction of the Human Resources functions and align them to the business goals of the Company in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, for approximately 1,600 employees.

Execute an orderly transition in the acquisition of Wyndham Old San Juan, and in the rebranding to Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel. Set the direction and support the Human Resources departments of The Westin Rio Mar Beach and Sheraton Old San Juan, for over 1,500 employees.

* Responsible for the overall operation of the Human Resources Department providing support to over 1,200 full-time Hotel and Country Club associates, including litigation avoidance through internal investigations and seminars * handling of reasonable accommodation requests * staffing * classification * wage and salary administration * compensation * labor relations * training and associate development * employee relations and general office administration. Represent the Hotel at the Labor Standards Bureau, Anti-Discrimination Unit, State Insurance Fund, National Labor Relations Board, and in the Courts of Puerto Rico.

* Provided legal advice to clients regarding employment issues, including the implementation of reduction in force programs and the execution of release documents * litigated complex employment discrimination, unjust dismissal, wage and hour and other employment related cases in federal and local administrative and judicial forums * managed employees’ relations issues within the Firm as requested by its Human Resources Manager * argued cases in federal appellate courts * gave seminars to clients and prospective clients * conducted investigations * participated in the Firm’s recruitment process.

Director, Americas; Employee and Labor Relations Specialist Group at Johnson & Johnson

Graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Graduated Cum Laude. Activities and Societies: Admitted to practice in the Puerto Rico Courts, the U.S. District Court of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Member of the P.R. Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Society for Human Resources Management, the P.R. Hotel & Tourism Association.