Primary Department: Human Resources and Talent
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Andrea Coughlin Rowley, Chief People Officer
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Position
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for approval of three (3) HR Investigator positions and one (1) Senior Labor Relations Liaison, and $73,781.26 in additional budget, effective August 24, 2026.
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Background and Discussion:
Human Resources and Talent (HRT) is responsible for a wide range of employee relations functions, including the prompt and appropriate handling of grievances, management issues, and workplace concerns, and complaints related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other employment-related issues in alignment with federal, state, and County policy.
To strengthen the department’s ability to manage these responsibilities efficiently and consistently, HRT is requesting (3) HR Investigators and one (1) Senior Labor Relations Liaison.
• HR Investigator - Conducts thorough and impartial reviews of workplace concerns, including gathering and analyzing information, interviewing involved parties, and preparing clear, well-documented findings.
• Senior Labor Relations Liaison - Facilitates employee relations processes, serves as the primary liaison with the consultation team, and oversees communications related to the Consultative Agent framework and other employee relations or compliance initiatives. This role also manages project timelines and deliverables and ensures alignment across departments to support consistent implementation of policies and processes.
Additionally, both roles will be essential in supporting the implementation of the Consultative Agent Policy and framework.
Expected Impact:
Approval of these positions will strengthen HRT’s ability to manage employee relations functions in a timely, consistent, and effective manner. Dedicated investigative and strategic support will improve the County’s capacity to address workplace concerns while maintaining compliance with applicable laws and policies. This will also result in the following:
• Reduce caseloads while improving response times, timeliness, and consistency in the review and resolution of employee concerns and complaints
• Strengthen the quality and documentation of workplace investigations
• Increase capacity to manage complex and high-volume employee relations matters
• Enhance coordination, communication, and alignment across departments for consistent application of policies and processes
• Support effective implementation of the Consultative Agent Policy and other compliance-related initiatives
• Support leadership with clear, fact-based findings and recommendations
• Enhance employee trust in reporting and resolution processes
• Improve accountability, tracking, and reporting of strategic initiatives
• Support effective delivery of Commissioners Court priorities
Alternative Options:
If these positions are not approved, the County will continue operating without a dedicated investigative capacity, increasing the likelihood of delays, inconsistent implementation, and gaps in execution when addressing workplace complaints. This may also impact the County’s ability to ensure consistent implementation of the Consultation Agent framework and process.
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: K: Provide workers with training and other supports (e.g. child care) to participate fully in the local economy.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any): N/A
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Location: Sheila Jackson Lee Administration Building
Address (if applicable): 1111 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77002
Precinct(s): Countywide
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3 |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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Anticipated Court Date: 8/6/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 8/24/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Erika Owens, Sr. Director, Human Resources & Talent
Attachments (if applicable):