EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & HR OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & HR OPERATIONS SPECIALIST Position Summary

This position is primarily responsible for Employee Relations and workplace investigations, representing approximately 70% of the role's responsibilities. The successful candidate will lead employee relations matters, conduct workplace investigations, advise managers on complex employee issues, and ensure consistent application of company policies and employment practices. HR operational responsibilities support the remaining 30% of the position.

The Employee Relations & HR Operations Specialist serves as a trusted partner to employees, managers, and leadership by leading employee relations initiatives and supporting core HR operational functions. This role is responsible for fostering a positive workplace culture, conducting workplace investigations, resolving employee concerns, ensuring consistent application of company policies, and mitigating employment-related risks. In addition, the role supports key HR operational processes, including Payroll, to ensure accuracy, compliance, and an exceptional employee experience.

The Employee Relations & HR Operations Specialist combines strong employee relations expertise with sound HR operational knowledge and the ability to exercise discretion, objectivity, and sound judgment in handling sensitive workplace matters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Employee Relations

· Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters across the organization.

· Counsel employees and managers on workplace concerns, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and employment practices.

· Conduct prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations involving employee complaints, policy violations, workplace misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and other sensitive matters.

· Gather and analyze facts, conduct interviews, review documentation, and prepare investigation summaries and recommendations.

· Partner with managers and leadership to resolve employee issues while ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance.

· Assess organizational and employment-related risk and recommend appropriate corrective actions.

· Support performance management processes by advising managers on employee conduct, coaching, performance concerns, corrective action, and documentation.

· Draft and review disciplinary documentation, performance improvement plans, and employee communications.

· Monitor employee relations trends and identify opportunities to improve engagement, retention, workplace culture, and manager effectiveness.

· Maintain confidential employee relations records and documentation.

· Ensure consistent application of company policies, practices, and procedures across all departments.

· Assist in responding to employee complaints, unemployment claims, agency inquiries, and legal requests as directed.

· Support employee accommodations and interactive process discussions as applicable.

· Provide training and guidance to managers on employee relations best practices, documentation, conflict resolution, and workplace communication.

· Promote a culture of respect, accountability, inclusion, and employee engagement.

HR Operations

· Support day-to-day HR operations, including Payroll and employee lifecycle processes.

· Partner with payroll and other departments to ensure accurate employee data management.

· Support employee event including hires, transfers, promotions, status changes, and separations.

· Support onboarding and offboarding activities to ensure a positive employee experience.

· Assist with policy updates, employee communications, and HR program administration.

· Prepare HR reports, metrics, and workforce analytics.

· Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations.

· Assist with audits and compliance reviews.

· Support benefits, leave administration, and other HR programs as needed.

· Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance HR service delivery and operational efficiency.