Specialist, Employee Relations

Verano•Chicago, IL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Employee Relations Specialist is an individual contributor on the centralized ER team, reporting to the Employee Relations Director. This role manages a broad caseload across assigned locations, including workplace investigations, corrective action guidance, policy compliance, and documentation. The ideal candidate is a skilled investigator, trusted manager advisor, and detail-oriented compliance professional who thrives in high-volume, multi-state, and unionized environments. This role offers growth for an ER professional seeking to deepen expertise and progress toward senior or lead ER roles.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, Psychology, or related field.
3–5 years of employee relations experience, including workplace investigations.
Working knowledge of federal employment laws and multi-state application.
Experience advising managers on corrective action, documentation, and performance management.
Strong organization, attention to detail, and follow-through in high-volume environments.
Excellent written communication skills, including reports, corrective actions, and correspondence.
Strong interpersonal skills across all employee levels.
Comfortable supporting union and non-union environments.
PHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM Workplace Investigations Certificate.
Experience in cannabis, retail, food & beverage, agriculture, or other heavily regulated, multi-site industries.
Exposure to HRIS/ER technology platforms
Experience working with unionized workforces and applying CBA provisions to day-to-day ER matters.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus
Prior experience in a centralized, shared-services HR or ER team model.

Nice To Haves

Bi-lingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct objective, timely investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, misconduct, and other ER matters.
Interview parties, analyze evidence, and prepare legally defensible findings, recommendations, and investigation reports.
Follow ER investigation protocols, escalate high-risk matters, and maintain confidential case records.
Manage ER caseloads across assigned locations, including discipline, PIPs, terminations, workplace conflict, and policy matters.
Provide timely, consistent ER guidance to People Business Partners and managers.
Track, document, and close cases in accordance with ER team standards.
Monitor trends and flag emerging risks to the ER Director.
Advise managers and People Business Partners on corrective action, documentation, performance management, discipline, and terminations.
Coach managers through difficult workplace conversations and compliant employee decisions.
Ensure consistent application of HR policies across assigned locations and jurisdictions.
Monitor employment law developments and flag policy or practice updates.
Support responses to EEOC charges and state agency inquiries.
Apply applicable CBA provisions, including just-cause, progressive discipline, and Weingarten standards.
Identify labor relations implications and coordinate with People Business Partners or counsel as needed.
Maintain accurate case records and contribute to ER dashboards, trend analysis, and reporting.
Recommend policy, training, or operational improvements based on recurring ER issues.