HR Specialist - Employee Relations

VUC•Allentown, PA

About The Position

The HR Specialist Employee Relations provides support to employees and management by addressing workplace concerns, ensuring compliance with company policies and employment laws, and fostering a positive work environment across a multi-state network of convenience store, fuel, and corporate locations. The role is the primary point of contact for employee relations inquiries and conducts investigations, maintains case data and reporting, identifies trends and risk exposure, and develops solutions aligned with organizational goals and legal requirements.

Requirements

Advanced experience with harassment issues, conflict resolution, and diverse employee populations.
Objective, neutral approach with sound judgment and strong active listening skills.
Working knowledge and application of federal, state, and local employment laws, including Title VII, FLSA, FMLA, and ADA, across a multi-state footprint.
Strong time management and organization, with the ability to manage multiple investigations concurrently 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.
Strong data skills, including advanced Microsoft Excel skills such as pivot tables, lookups, and charts, to analyze and present employee relations trends.
Experience with HRIS and HR case management platforms.
Ability to travel up to 30% to store and field locations.
Bachelor's degree in human resources management, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
At least 2 years of employee relations or performance management experience.

Nice To Haves

Employee relations or performance management experience in a retail, convenience store, restaurant, or other multi-unit, hourly workforce environment.
Exposure to risk management, loss prevention, workplace safety, or workers' compensation.

Responsibilities

Assist in resolving employee issues by communicating policy, responding to inquiries, and advising management on decisions that comply 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.
Evaluate 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.
Conduct and document workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, theft, and policy violations at store, field, and corporate locations.
Maintain accurate, confidential case records in the HRIS or HR case management system and ensure documentation is complete, consistent, and audit-ready.
Analyze employee relations data, including case volume, issue types, turnover, and exit feedback, to identify trends by store or region and share recurring reports and dashboards for HR and operations leadership.
Coach field and sales management on corrective action, performance management, and consistent policy application, and recommend targeted training for performance improvement.
Partner with Risk Management, Safety, and Legal on matters involving 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.