"I am deeply humbled and honored to work for the City of Little Rock. I love my job and the employees here. I want all employees to be happy coming to work. As the Labor and Employee Relations manager, I am deeply committed to serving all employees in any way that I can possibly help within the perimeters of our City Values and Policies."

NAME:  Dr. Shella Atlas Evans

DEPARTMENT: Human Resources (Labor and Employee Relations Division)

TITLE: Labor and Employee Relations Manager

BACKGROUND:  

• Earned a Doctor in Education in Organizational Leadership, Master of Arts in Management, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, and 18 post-graduate hours in Public Administration 
• Twenty-five years of employment law experience working for a federal law enforcement agency
• Received certification as a Rule 31 Civil and Family Mediator
• Five and a half years as doctoral researcher
• Five years Home School Educator experience in curricula design for students with special needs
• Served over three years as a Substitute Teacher for a private parochial school, grades K-10
• Five years experience with a medical insurance company
• Over 17 years serving in various community services volunteer leadership roles for work, school and Church

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK? Since June 2016. 

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR JOB?

I manage the City's Labor and Employee Relations functions, which includes developing and modifying personnel policies and procedures, conducting and overseeing hearings for grievances and disciplinary action appeals, investigating complaints including responding to EEOC Charges of Discrimination, and ensuring that training activities are coordinated for all departments. I also administer the City's compensation system, handle Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, manage Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Catastrophic leave requests from initiation to final disposition; serve as a member of the City's negotiating team during labor negotiation, and other related duties. 

WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL PART OF YOUR WORK?

To promote a positive workplace for all employees through one-on-one communication, as well as to provide all employees advice, guidance and training related to work policies, procedures and employments laws; and to ensure that all employees are treated fairly. From a human resources perspective, “a happy employee is a productive employee.”   

WHAT SHOULD CITIZENS KNOW ABOUT YOUR DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM?

Citizens should know that the Labor and Employment Relations Division staff in the Human Resources Department is committed to resolving disputes in the workplace and making sure employees are treated equitably. Our staff provides advice, guidance and training to all employees regarding their job rights and responsibilities as they relate to work policies and employment laws, and we daily demonstrate our City’s Values:

The Rock: Trust, Helpfulness, Equality, Respect, Opportunity, Communication, and Knowledge.  

WHAT IS A FACT ABOUT YOU THAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE?

My grandfather, Pastor Francis Joseph Atlas was a strong community service and Civil Rights activist for more than 50 years and was instrumental in helping African Americans in East Carroll Parish (Louisiana) to register and vote in 1962 despite backlash from oppositionists for nearly 20 years. I am the product of my grandfather’s values and perseverance. Thus, I am determined to make a positive difference in the lives of all people. To learn more about my grandfather’s struggles as a Civil Rights activist, visit atlasfamily.org.

WHAT IS DOWNTIME FOR YOU?

After giving my 100 percent to my role as Labor and Employee Relations Manager for the City of Little Rock, my downtime is spending quality time with my family and attending Church.

FAVORITE PLACE IN LITTLE ROCK?

I love to visit the Riverfront and Pinnacle Mountain State Parks. I have several favorite restaurants and the top three are, P F Chang’s China Bistro, On the Border, and Chuy’s.

WHAT ONE WORD, PHRASE, OR QUOTE CAPTURES WHO YOU ARE?

The one word that describes me is “devoted.” Whatever is required of me, I give my all. I am willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.