Department of Human Resources
Contributing to the strength of Tribal Government operations
Human Resources
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Human Resources Division oversees the personnel actions, training, and benefits for all Tribal employees and indirectly related Tribal entities.
Our Human Resources Division plays a critical role in contributing to the overall strength of Tribal Government operations. Providing quality services to enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is the primary responsibility of dedicated, productive employees. Human Resources strengthens the Tribal workforce through recruiting qualified candidates, training, retention, and a comprehensive benefits package.
It is our responsibility to provide support while maintaining integrity through teamwork, respect, and fair treatment.
Benefits
The Tribal Employee Benefits Office provides technical assistance and guidance to Tribal employees and Tribal entities, which include the EBCI Tribal Government, including Qualla Housing Authority and Cherokee Boys Club, as well as the School Systems and Job Corps Center, Cherokee Indian Hospital, VOC, Cherokee Indian Museum, Tribal Gaming Commission, and Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. The Benefits staff assists the employees with the employee benefits package, which consists of:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Supplemental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Pension Plan
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
The Benefits staff administers Tribal Family Medical Leave and the Oosti Law (paid maternity-paternity leave) and counsels Tribal employees on benefits, retirement, and Family Medical Leave issues.
- EBCI and related entities currently have 2,174 employees and dependents covered in our Health and Welfare Plans.
- EBCI and related entities currently have 525 participants receiving a monthly annuity payment from our Pension Retirement Plan. We have forty (40) new pension retirees, from October 1, 2017 to present.
- EBCI has 1,104 employees participating in the 401(k) Plan.
Employee Rights
The Employee Rights (ER) Department provides assistance to EBCI employees, management and non-management. Technical assistance and guidance are provided (procedural and legal consultation from Attorney General’s office) for employee grievances and corrective actions. We also manage the EBCI Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee is available to all EBCI employees who receive a Corrective Action, Step 2 (Written Reprimand), Step 3 (Suspension without Pay), or Step 4 (Involuntary Termination).
The Employee Rights Department also provides an Employee Assistance Program (Employee Assistance Network-EAN) that provides free consultation and counseling for all EBCI employees and their families. The EAN also provides consultation to program managers and mediation. The EAN provides free online trainings. This program is currently providing a 50 percent savings from our 2015-2016 EAP program ($40,000 to $20,000). In 2018 the EAN provided 199 employee appointments. This included 50 management referrals, 30 self-referrals and 201 management consultations. In conjunction with the EAN we presented the first Tribal-wide required Harassment Training.