Employee Relations Specialist

About The Job

General Summary of Position

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.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide Employee Relations support, thought partnership, and coaching for all associates and leaders in the organization.
• Provides interpretation, explanation, and clarification of employee relations policies and procedures and key federal and state regulations, labor and employment law compliance.
• Exhibits 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.
• Provides guidance on documentation to address performance/behavior concerns and supports leaders with delivery and monitoring.
• Provides guidance on conflict resolution and facilitates dialogue on associate/employer issues.
• Gains appropriate approvals for all terminations, ensures employment-related decisions follow state and federal regulations, protect the rights of the employees, and the legal position of the organization; escalates to ER leadership as needed.
• Maintains a sensitive caseload of investigations as assigned.
• Counsels and interviews with associates that have filed a complaint, respondents as well as named witnesses, and makes objective recommendations based on findings.
• Stays 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 contributes 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.

Minimal Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field required.
• Experience: 3-4 years resolving employee relations issues, conducting workplace investigations, and resolving conflicts required.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• In-depth knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements regarding employee relations and federal, state, and local employment law.
• Demonstrates strong influencing skills to drive desired business outcomes, particularly in situations with unclear ownership or shared accountability.
• Possesses the 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.

Hiring Range

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