HR Specialist - Employee Relations

VUC•Allentown, PA

About The Position

The HR Specialist - Employee Relations supports employees and management across a multi-state network of convenience store, fuel, and corporate locations. The role addresses workplace concerns, supports compliance with company policies and employment laws, and helps foster a positive work environment. It is the initial point of contact for employee relations inquiries and involves assessing and escalating concerns, conducting investigations with guidance, maintaining confidential case records, analyzing trends, and helping develop solutions aligned with organizational goals. This is an early-career HR opportunity with hands-on training and mentorship from the Employee Relations Manager and a path for professional growth. The position also supports managers with corrective action and performance management, collaborates with Risk Management, Safety, and Legal, and assists with employee relations training. Travel to store and field locations may be required up to 30%.

Requirements

Interest in employee relations and conflict resolution, and comfort working with diverse employee populations.
Objective, neutral approach with sound judgment and strong active listening skills.
Strong time management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple cases and priorities while focusing on relevant facts.
Ability to work in a team environment within a fast-paced, decentralized, multi-site company.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write clear, well-supported investigation reports.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trusting relationships with employees at all levels.
High discretion when handling confidential information.
Comfort working with data and intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, with willingness to develop advanced skills such as pivot tables, lookups, and charts.
Ability to travel up to 30% to store and field locations.
Bachelor's degree in human resources management, business, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 2 years of experience in customer service, call center, recruiting, HR, employee relations, or performance management.

Nice To Haves

Basic knowledge of Human Resources practices and employment laws, such as Title VII, FLSA, FMLA, and ADA, with a desire to grow expertise across a multi-state organization.
Experience in a retail, convenience store, restaurant, or other multi-unit, hourly workforce environment.
Experience using HR systems, case management tools, Salesforce, or ticketing systems.
Exposure to risk management, loss prevention, workplace safety, or workers' compensation.
HR certification such as aPHR or SHRM-CP, or interest in pursuing one.

Responsibilities

Communicate company policy, respond to employee inquiries, and advise management on decisions consistent with employment laws and company policies.
Serve as the initial point of contact for employee relations calls, emails, and hotline reports from store and field employees.
Assess the scope and risk level of issues and escalate complex or high-risk matters to the Employee Relations Manager as appropriate.
Assist in developing, implementing, and communicating human resources policies and procedures.
Support Human Resources Department management with project work.
With guidance and training, conduct and document workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, theft, and policy violations at store, field, and corporate locations.
Maintain accurate and confidential case records in the HRIS or HR case management system, ensuring documentation is complete, consistent, and audit-ready.
Analyze employee relations data, such as case volume, issue types, turnover, and exit feedback, to identify trends by store or region and share recurring reports and dashboards with HR and operations leadership.
Support and guide field and sales management on corrective action, performance management, and consistent policy application; recommend targeted training for performance improvement.
Partner with Risk Management, Safety, and Legal on workplace incidents, theft, workers' compensation, and potential claims.
Support corporate counsel and management on legal claims, agency charges, unemployment claims, and related audits through research and documentation.
Track assigned employee relations matters through resolution and follow up with employees and managers to ensure timely case closure.
Assist with developing, coordinating, and delivering Store Manager training on employee relations policies, procedures, and best practices.