Employee Relations Specialist

Position Summary

The Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for supporting a positive, compliant, and productive workplace by managing employee relations matters, conducting workplace investigations, advising managers and employees on workplace policies and practices, and assisting with performance management and corrective action processes.

This position serves as a resource to employees and leaders regarding workplace concerns and helps ensure employee relations practices are applied consistently, fairly, and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. The Employee Relations Specialist works closely with HR leadership and other internal stakeholders to identify workplace issues, mitigate risk, and promote a respectful and engaged work environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Investigations

• Receive, assess, document, and appropriately respond to employee complaints and workplace concerns. 
• Conduct timely, thorough, impartial, and well-documented workplace investigations. 
• Investigate allegations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace misconduct, policy violations, employee conflicts, and other employee relations concerns. 
• Interview employees, witnesses, and other relevant parties as part of investigations. 
• Review relevant documentation, communications, personnel records, and other evidence. 
• Prepare investigation summaries and recommendations for HR leadership. 
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality throughout the employee relations process. 
• Escalate complex or high-risk matters to HR leadership and/or legal counsel as appropriate. 
• Maintain accurate records of employee relations cases and investigation outcomes. 
• Partner with managers and HR leadership regarding employee performance and conduct concerns. 
• Provide guidance regarding coaching, verbal and written warnings, performance improvement plans, final warnings, and other corrective action. 
• Review disciplinary documentation for consistency, accuracy, and compliance with Company policies. 
• Assist managers in developing and implementing performance improvement plans. 
• Monitor performance management cases and follow up as appropriate. 
• Support consistent application of Company policies and disciplinary practices across departments. 
• Track employee relations cases, complaints, investigations, corrective actions, and other relevant metrics. 
• Identify recurring employee relations issues and trends. 
• Prepare reports and summaries for HR leadership. 
• Make recommendations regarding policies, training, management practices, and workplace initiatives based on employee relations trends. 
• Assist in developing and delivering manager training related to employee relations. 
• Provide training on topics such as respectful workplace conduct, documentation, performance management, harassment prevention, workplace investigations, and policy compliance. 
• Support HR initiatives designed to improve employee engagement, retention, communication, and workplace culture. 
• Collaborate with HR colleagues on complex employee matters. 
• Participate in HR projects and process improvement initiatives. 
• Maintain confidentiality of employee and Company information. 
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or a related field preferred. 
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered. 

Experience

• 3–5 years of progressive HR or employee relations experience preferred. 
• Experience conducting workplace investigations required. 
• Experience with performance management and corrective action. 
• Experience interpreting and applying employment policies and procedures. 
• Experience working in a healthcare, behavioral-health, or similarly regulated environment preferred. 

**Travel to our facilities located in New Jersey and Pennsylvania is required as business needs arise.