Austin Community College (ACC) welcomes Kelly Torrico as the college\u2019s first Employee Relations Officer (ERO). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As ERO, Torrico will address employee concerns that impact the work environment, and her focus will center on the following:
– Resolution of concerns at the lowest level possible, including the utilization of trained college mediators,
– Guidance to empower employees in the resolution of interpersonal disputes to maintain an ongoing positive team environment,
– Coaching for supervisors to support effective performance management, and
– Expertise in managing formal employee grievances to ensure a timely and equitable response for all parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe ERO was established to support a positive workplace culture centered around the college\u2019s 3 Cs initiative,\u201d says Charlene Buckley, director of the Equal Opportunity Compliance Office. \u201cStakeholders districtwide shared a vision for how employee complaints could best be addressed. The designation of the ERO, as outlined in <\/strong>Resolution of an Employee Grievance<\/strong><\/a>, ensures employee concerns will be resolved fairly, efficiently, and consistent with College values. Kelly\u2019s experience and expertise in employee relations provide the guidance our employees need and deserve in a private setting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Torrico, a self-proclaimed Army brat, enlisted out of high school and was later commissioned as an officer upon graduating from the University of Wisconsin with bachelor’s degrees in Applied Linguistics and Military Science and Leadership. She has since obtained master\u2019s degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from Capella University and the University of Memphis, respectively. Professionally, Torrico left active duty when she was recruited to a role with McDonald\u2019s Corporation where she served as a Divisional Employment Strategy Director. She also has experience working in a large and diverse psychiatric hospital where she worked as a hospital administrator over People and Operations with Universal Health Group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Torrico relocated to Austin in January 2022 to be closer to family and has found what she describes as the ideal \u201ctrifecta\u201d at ACC \u2014 rewarding work reflecting the values she is passionate about, people who are great to partner with, and amazing culture and lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The ERO is positioned in the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance (EOC Office), formerly the college\u2019s Compliance Office. Read more about the expansion of the EOC Office earlier this year here<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The ERO will not handle issues involving discrimination or harassment. Those will continue to be handled by the illegal discrimination side of the <\/strong>EOC Office<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n