Employee Relations Specialist, CA,WA,OR

Sizzling Platter•Murray, UT

7d•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and driven Employee Relations Specialist with deep expertise in West Coast employment law, particularly California, Oregon, and Washington, to join our growing Human Resources team. In this role, you will serve as a subject matter expert and primary point of contact for complex ER matters across our restaurant portfolio in these states, independently lead investigations, advise operations leaders, and ensure compliance with some of the most demanding employment regulatory environments in the country. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role suited for an ER professional who operates with confidence and credibility, thrives in a fast-paced multi-unit environment, and brings a strategic mindset to the day-to-day realities of employee relations in the restaurant industry.

Requirements

2–4 years of progressive experience in employee relations, HR, or a related field, ideally within a multi-unit, multi-state environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of California, Oregon, and/or Washington employment law; ability to apply regulatory requirements to real-world ER scenarios.
Proven experience independently conducting workplace investigations and producing written investigation summaries or findings.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex or sensitive information clearly and professionally.
High degree of discretion, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate ambiguity with confidence.
Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple active cases simultaneously.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with ADP and/or ER case management systems preferred.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred given our team member demographics.
PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent HR certification.
Prior experience in the restaurant, retail, or hospitality industry.
Familiarity with EEOC charge response processes and interaction with outside employment counsel.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end investigations into complex employee relations matters including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, and workplace misconduct, with a particular focus on California, Oregon, and Washington regulatory frameworks.
Maintain timely, thorough, and legally defensible case documentation across all stages of the investigation lifecycle.
Manage an active caseload with accuracy and urgency, providing consistent updates to HR leadership and operational stakeholders.
Partner with legal counsel as appropriate on high-risk or litigation-adjacent matters.
Serve as the internal subject matter expert for California (FEHA, CFRA, CCPA, PAGA, local ordinances), Oregon (OFLA, statewide pay equity, predictive scheduling), and Washington (WFLA, L&I, anti-discrimination statutes) employment requirements.
Monitor legislative and regulatory changes across CA, OR, and WA; proactively assess operational impact and recommend policy or process updates.
Ensure restaurant operations in these states maintain compliance with separation practices and wage-and-hour requirements.
Advise various Operational Leaders on state-specific obligations and best practices.
Support the development, communication, and consistent application of HR policies across West Coast markets.
Support separation processes, including structured documentation review and participation in unemployment claims as needed.
Collaborate with HR, Operations, and Legal teams to ensure aligned, compliant, and timely resolution of employee matters.
Contribute to ER data reporting and continuous improvement of investigation and case management processes.