Employee Relations Specialist

Vireo Health • Minneapolis, MN

18d

About The Position

The Employee Relations Specialist is the first point of contact for managers and employees with workplace concerns. In a unionized environment, the role investigates complaints, manages grievances, interprets collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), coaches managers on contract-compliant discipline, and helps maintain compliance with employment and labor laws. The specialist balances employee advocacy with organizational risk while maintaining constructive relationships with union representatives.

The position handles employee concerns and investigations, advises managers on discipline and performance matters, supports responses to agency charges and unemployment claims, and partners with HR Business Partners and Legal on complex or high-risk cases. It also contributes to policy updates, supervisor and employee training, and quarterly reporting on employee-relations trends and outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Labor Relations, Business, Psychology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 2 years handling employee relations cases or workplace investigations.
• 2+ years of hands-on union experience, including administering a CBA, handling grievances, and working directly with union representatives.
• Working knowledge of the NLRA, unfair labor practices, just cause, and grievance and arbitration procedures.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment law.
• Strong interviewing, writing, and analytical skills, including the ability to produce defensible investigation reports and grievance responses.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive, confidential information.
• Proficiency with a case management system (HR Acuity) and Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Intake, triage, and manage employee concerns, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, and interpersonal conflict.
• Conduct fair, timely, well-documented investigations by interviewing complainants, respondents, and witnesses, gathering evidence, and preparing findings reports.
• Ensure investigations honor employee representation rights, including Weingarten rights, and CBA procedural requirements.
• Manage grievances and recommend outcomes and corrective actions consistent with policy, precedent, and the CBA; maintain confidential case files and track trends.
• Advise managers on progressive discipline, performance improvement plans, attendance, and terminations; review proposed actions for just cause, consistency, contract compliance, and legal risk.
• Train supervisors on contract administration, avoiding unfair labor practices, and working with union representatives.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and Legal on high-risk or complex situations.
• Support responses to EEOC, NLRB, and state agency charges and unemployment claims, including documentation and position statements.
• Help ensure compliance with the NLRA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA, and applicable state and local laws.
• Draft and update handbook policies and manager guidance, coordinating with the union on changes requiring bargaining.
• Deliver training on respectful workplace practices, anti-harassment, and conflict resolution.
• Report quarterly on case volume, grievance trends, time to resolution, turnover drivers, and recommendations.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance beginning on the first of the month after employment begins.
• HSA, FSA, Dependent Care, and EAP services.
• 15 days of accrued PTO, plus 2 Wellness Days and volunteer hours that increase with tenure.
• 401(k) program with employer match after six months of employment.
• Employee discounts.
• Competitive pay and benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level