HR Employment Relations Specialist

About the role

The Employee Relations Specialist serves as a trusted resource for employees and leaders by promoting positive employee relations, ensuring consistent application of company policies, and supporting a respectful, compliant workplace. This position conducts workplace investigations, advises management on employee issues, helps resolve conflicts, and supports employee engagement initiatives while minimizing organizational risk.

Responsibilities

• Respond to employee concerns and workplace complaints.
• Conduct employee relations investigations involving policy violations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and workplace conduct issues.
• Prepare thorough and accurate investigation documentation and summaries.
• Partner with managers to address performance, conduct, attendance, and behavioral concerns.
• Provide guidance on company policies, procedures, and employment practices.
• Recommend appropriate corrective actions and assist with disciplinary processes.
• Support conflict resolution and facilitate discussions between employees and management when appropriate.
• Monitor trends in employee concerns and recommend proactive solutions.
• Assist with unemployment claims, employment verifications, and related HR matters.
• Support compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Participate in employee engagement and culture initiatives.
• Assist HR leadership with special projects and organizational initiatives.

Requirements

• 4-year degree.
• 3–5 years of Employee Relations experience.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations.
• Knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with all levels of leadership in an organization.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification.
• Multi-state employee relations experience.
• Experience supporting large, geographically dispersed workforces.

Competencies

• Attention to Detail: Taking responsibility for a thorough and detailed method of working.
• Oral Communication: Shaping and expressing ideas and information in an effective manner.
• Organizational Awareness: Using knowledge of systems, situations, procedures, and culture inside the organization to identify potential problems and opportunities.
• Written Communication: Expressing ideas and opinions clearly in properly structured, well-organized, and grammatically correct reports or documents.
• Problem Solving: Identifying problems and issues of varying complexities and finding effective solutions with few guidelines.
• Functional Expertise and Usage: Acquiring and applying functional knowledge in a specialty area such as Sales, Finance, or Human Resources management.