Employee Relations Specialist

About the role

The Employee Relations Specialist serves as a trusted advisor and expert in fostering a positive workplace culture, ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance in addressing employee relations matters. This role is pivotal in aligning employee relations strategies with organizational goals by investigating and resolving workplace concerns, managing employee relations programs, and ensuring adherence to labor laws and company policies. Acting as a liaison between associates, leaders, and HR professionals, the ER Specialist promotes effective communication and equitable treatment throughout the organization.

Operating with independence and confidence, the ER Specialist navigates ambiguity and complex situations with strategic thinking and adaptability. This role challenges the status quo by delivering innovative solutions that enhance workplace relationships, strengthen employee engagement, and support a thriving organizational environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide Employee Relations support, thought partnership, and coaching for all associates and leaders in the organization.
• Interpret, explain, and clarify employee relations policies and procedures, as well as key federal and state regulations, labor, and employment law compliance.
• Exhibit a strong risk and control mindset by promptly escalating issues, proactively addressing decisions, and making practical, balanced choices that weigh benefits against risks while ensuring full compliance.
• Provide guidance on documentation to address performance/behavior concerns and support leaders with delivery and monitoring.
• Offer guidance on conflict resolution and facilitate dialogue on associate/employer issues.
• Gain appropriate approvals for all terminations, ensure employment-related decisions follow state and federal regulations, protect the rights of employees and the legal position of the organization, and escalate to ER leadership as needed.
• Maintain a sensitive caseload of investigations as assigned. Conduct timely and thorough investigations, interviews with associates who have filed a complaint, respondents, and named witnesses, and make objective recommendations based on findings.
• Stay informed of federal, state, and local labor, employment, and wage and hour laws, as well as legal requirements for day-to-day associate management to mitigate legal risks and ensure compliance.
• Actively contribute as a key member of the broader HR community, leading by example with integrity, respect, and high ethical standards, fostering trust, and building personal credibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field (required).
• 3-4 years of experience resolving employee relations issues, conducting workplace investigations, and resolving conflicts (required).

Skills

• In-depth knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements regarding employee relations and federal, state, and local employment law.
• Strong influencing skills to drive desired business outcomes, particularly in situations with unclear ownership or shared accountability.
• Ability to coach and offer meaningful insights while maintaining an open mind and avoiding rushed judgments.
• Capable of working independently with minimal guidance, navigating ambiguity, and overcoming internal and external obstacles to achieve effective resolutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Pay

This position has a hiring range of USD $71,843.00 - USD $135,907.00 per year.