Sr. Employee Relations Specialist

Senior Employee Relations Specialist

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for fostering a positive work environment by managing employee relations issues, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and supporting organizational policies. This role serves as a trusted advisor to employees and managers, handling conflict resolution, investigations, and promoting engagement initiatives. This position must integrate company values into daily practice.

Essential Functions

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations concerns.
• Investigate complaints related to workplace issues, harassment, discrimination, and policy violations.
• Provide guidance to managers on handling performance and behavioral issues.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Assist in developing and updating HR policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate documentation of investigations and disciplinary actions.
• Support managers in implementing performance improvement plans.
• Advise on corrective actions and terminations in alignment with company policy.
• Promote initiatives that enhance employee satisfaction and retention.
• Conduct exit interviews and analyze trends to recommend improvements.
• Deliver training sessions on workplace conduct, diversity, and conflict resolution.
• Partner with HR team to develop programs that reinforce company culture.
• Periodic travel to hospital locations required.
• Complies with appropriate and approved safety standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support overall effectiveness of the organization.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (preferably in Human Resources or related field) and 5 years' direct experience OR equivalent experience in HR Generalist and/or Employee Relations Specialist role required.
• Must have HRIS use experience, Workday preferred.

Required Licenses, Certifications, and/or Documentation

• Human Resources certification strongly preferred (SPHR or HRCI).
• Must maintain acceptable driving record, current driver's license, and insurability.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of employment laws such as ADA, Title VII, ADEA, FMLA, USERRA, FLSA, and related state and federal labor laws and regulations.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of HR policies and best practices.
• Exceptional communication, mediation, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to multi-task and be proactive in a fast-paced environment with frequently changing priorities, deadlines, and workloads.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to travel to different states as needed.

Physical Requirements over the Course of a Shift

• A significant amount of sitting for prolonged periods of time.
• Exposure to computer screens and requires extensive use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and phone system.
• Both gross and precise motor functions.
• Sufficient manual dexterity to operate equipment and computer keyboard.
• Close vision and the ability to adjust focus.