Employee Relations Specialist

Lifetime Assistance • Rochester, NY

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Lifetime Assistance – Employee Relations Specialist Make an Impact. Create Joy. Shape the Future. At Lifetime Assistance, our mission is to foster independence, dignity, and respect for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Working with us goes beyond just a job—it’s a chance to transform lives, including your own. Position Overview: Job Title: Employee Relations Specialist Location: Rochester, NY 14624 Department: Human Resources (HR), Employee Relations Reports To: Director of Employee Relations Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000/year

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience, required.
• Two (2) or more years of Human Resources experience with exposure to employee relations and corrective action review.
• Strong understanding of HR best practices and foundational employment law.
• Familiarity with employee relations processes, corrective action, policy interpretation, and workplace issue resolution.
• Ability to recognize concerns that may present increased organizational or employee-relations risk and require escalation.
• Ability to apply policies and HR practices consistently while considering the circumstances of individual situations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong documentation and active listening skills.
• Ability to build rapport and collaborate effectively with employees, supervisors, and leaders from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to approach sensitive or challenging conversations with professionalism, compassion, and respect.
• Ability to provide clear, practical guidance to supervisors navigating employee relations matters.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to gather and assess relevant information before determining appropriate next steps.
• Strong professional judgment and the ability to recognize when matters require escalation.
• Ability to balance employee support with agency policies, expectations, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive employee information with discretion.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when maintaining employee relations documentation and records.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and objectivity when navigating sensitive or emotionally charged situations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in healthcare, nonprofit, or human services settings preferred.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, or another relevant HR certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an initial point of contact for employee concerns, complaints, and workplace issues.
• Respond to employee and supervisor inquiries with professionalism, compassion, and sound judgment.
• Conduct intake conversations, gather relevant facts, and accurately document employee relations matters.
• Promote a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture.
• Build rapport and maintain effective working relationships with employees and leaders throughout the agency.
• Provide interpretation and guidance regarding HR policies and applicable employment regulations.
• Review written warnings, corrective actions, and termination notices for consistency and compliance.
• Guide supervisors through disciplinary processes, documentation expectations, and policy requirements.
• Support leaders with coaching, policy education, and scripting for difficult or sensitive employee conversations.
• Help promote consistent application of employee relations practices across the agency.
• Maintain organized, accurate, timely, and confidential employee relations case documentation.
• Recognize higher-risk employee relations matters and appropriately escalate concerns involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other significant workplace issues to Employee Relations leadership.
• Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and organizational information.
• Support accurate tracking and follow-up of employee relations matters.
• Support and manage employee offboarding processes.
• Track voluntary resignations and maintain accurate related documentation.
• Maintain the Employee Relations master tracker and other applicable records.
• Review and appropriately file employee relations documentation, including corrective actions and termination notices.
• Partner with supervisors and leaders to provide practical employee relations guidance and support.
• Help leaders prepare for challenging conversations and address workplace concerns appropriately.
• Support continuous improvement of Lifetime Assistance’s talent and employee relations priorities.
• Participate in Employee Relations projects, process improvements, and other initiatives as assigned.
• Perform additional ad hoc duties and projects as needed.

Benefits

• No-Premium Health Insurance: Access comprehensive healthcare without added cost.
• Education Support: Tuition assistance, scholarships — 50% off tuition for two courses per semester plus up to $3,000 scholarship per semester — plus micro-credential stipends up to $750 and SUNY partnerships.
• Paid Training & Coaching: Receive hands-on onboarding with a Success Coach, immersive learning, e-learning, and ongoing paid training.
• Career Growth: Clear pathways to advancement, leadership training, and coaching support.
• Work-Life Harmony: Generous paid time off and supportive scheduling.

What This Job Offers

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