Employee Relations Consultant

Bagel Brands•Denver, CO

3d•$93,000 - $103,000•Onsite

About The Position

Bagel Brands is the parent company for your favorite breakfast brands, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Bruegger's Bagels, Noah's NY Bagels, and Manhattan Bagel. We believe in the bagel and how it has the unique ability to bring people together. Our team has a standard set of values and behaviors that allow us to spread a little more joy and happiness in the world. They let us laugh, smile, and enjoy each other’s company a little more. These are the behaviors that guide how we work, how we treat each other, and how we treat our guests. We believe that there is no better way to make someone’s day than with a warm, fresh-baked bagel and a heart-felt good morning. The Employee Relations Consultant partners with field leaders and People Business Partners to address employee relations concerns, conduct investigations, and drive fair, consistent, and compliant resolution of workplace issues across the organization. This role serves as the primary employee relations resource for field operations, while also supporting complex or sensitive Support Center employee relations matters as needed. In alignment with Bagel Brands’ Mission, Vision, and Values, this role promotes a culture of respect, accountability, and integrity while ensuring employee concerns are addressed thoughtfully, consistently, and in compliance with company policies and applicable laws.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Legal or related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
3–6 years of Human Resources experience, with direct experience in employee relations, investigations, or advising leaders on workplace issues.
Proven ability to foster a diverse and inclusive environment, with sensitivity to the needs of individuals from diverse protected backgrounds.
Strong working knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, ADEA, ADAAA, and FMLA.
Proven ability to manage complex and sensitive employee relations matters.
Strong consulting, coaching, and influencing skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and cases in a fast-paced environment.
Strong problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR systems.

Nice To Haves

PHR or SPHR certification.
California Employee Law knowledge

Responsibilities

Employee Relations Consulting & Case Management
Serve as the primary employee relations subject matter expert for field operations, supporting high-volume, geographically dispersed teams.
Manage a varied and high-volume caseload of employee relations issues, ensuring timely, consistent, and compliant resolution.
Partner with People Business Partners and field leaders to assess concerns and recommend appropriate resolution strategies.
Provide coaching and guidance to leaders on handling employee relations matters, including performance concerns, conduct issues, and workplace conflict.
Balance business needs with risk management to drive practical, effective outcomes.
Provide guidance and support on complex, sensitive, or high-risk employee relations matters within the Support Center as needed.
Investigations & Hotline Management
Lead complex and high-risk investigations related to Employee Hotline complaints, Code of Conduct concerns, and policy violations across both field and Support Center populations.
Conduct thorough, objective investigations, including interviews, documentation review, and fact-finding.
Ensure investigations are completed in a timely, consistent, and legally compliant manner.
Document findings and provide clear, actionable recommendations for resolution.
Familiarity with interpreting and applying legal guidelines for daily operational tasks.
Compliance, Risk & Policy Guidance
Ensure employee relations practices align with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as company policies and standards.
Exercise strong judgment in assessing risk and determining appropriate escalation, including partnership with Legal and senior People leadership when necessary.
Stay current on employment law and regulatory updates, translating changes into practical guidance for leaders and stakeholders.
Partner with Legal, Payroll, and People teams to ensure consistency, compliance, and effective risk mitigation.
Trends, Insights & Prevention
Identify trends and themes across employee relations cases and provide insights to People and business leaders.
Partner with stakeholders to develop training, resources, and proactive solutions that address recurring issues and reduce risk.
Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of employee relations programs, tools, and processes.
Support initiatives that enhance employee experience, retention, and workplace culture.
Ability to recognize potential legal issues and escalate to in-house counsel as needed.
Cross-Functional Partnership
Collaborate closely with People Business Partners, Legal, Operations, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and consistency in approach.
Support enterprise People initiatives and special projects related to employee relations, compliance, and culture.