Employee Relations Specialist

Vireo; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, and life

HSA, FSA, Dependent Care, EAP

PTO 15 days + 2 Wellness Days + Volun.

401k with employer match

Job summary

Vireo is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to act as the first point of contact for managers and employees on workplace concerns in a unionized environment. You will investigate complaints, manage grievances, interpret CBAs, and coach managers on contract-compliant discipline while balancing employee advocacy with organizational risk.

You will support HR and Legal on high-risk cases, prepare documentation, and help ensure compliance with NLRA, FMLA, ADA, and Title VII.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Labor Relations, Business, Psychology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 2 years handling employee relations cases or workplace investigations.
• 2+ years of hands-on union experience, including administering a CBA, handling grievances, and working directly with union representatives.
• Working knowledge of NLRA, unfair labor practices, just cause, and grievance/arbitration procedures.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment law.
• Strong interviewing, writing, and analytical skills; ability to produce defensible investigation reports and grievance responses.
• Discretion with sensitive information; good judgment.
• Proficiency with HR Acuity and MS 365 or Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Intake, triage, and manage employee concerns, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, and interpersonal conflict.
• Conduct fair, timely investigations by interviewing complainants, respondents, and witnesses, gathering evidence, and writing findings reports.
• Ensure investigations honor Weingarten rights and CBA procedures.
• Manage grievances and recommend outcomes consistent with policy and contract; maintain confidential files and track trends.
• Advise managers on progressive discipline, performance improvement, attendance, and terminations; review for just cause and contract compliance.
• Train supervisors on contract administration and avoiding unfair labor practices; collaborate with union representatives.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and Legal on high-risk or complex situations; support responses to agencies and unemployment claims.
• Draft and update handbook policies and manager guidance; coordinate with the union on changes requiring bargaining.
• Deliver training on respectful workplace, anti-harassment, and conflict resolution; report quarterly on case volume and trends.

Skills

Interviewing

Investigations

Documentation

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/related field

Tools

HR Acuity

Microsoft 365

Google Workspace

Job description

Who we are:

At Vireo, we’re growing something bigger than a business. With roughly 4,500 team members, over 1 million square feet of cultivation space, and more than 170 dispensaries across 10+ states, we’re one of the fastest-growing platforms in the industry. The best part is that we’re just getting started.

What sets us apart isn’t just our footprint. It’s our people. From cultivation and manufacturing to retail, corporate operations, and our expanding agribusiness ventures, every role here plays a real part in shaping where this industry goes next. We look for people with drive, a positive attitude, and a genuine desire to make a difference and in return, we offer real opportunities to grow, contribute, and make an impact.

We’re also proud to be one of the most diverse and inclusive workplaces in cannabis. Our culture is built on collaboration, respect, and continuous improvement. This shows in how we support each other, engage with our communities, and celebrate wins together.

If you’re ready to turn your passion into a career, we’d love to have you on the team. Let’s grow the future together.

What the role is about:

The Employee Relations Specialist is the first point of contact for managers and employees on workplace concerns. In a unionized environment, you will investigate complaints, manage grievances, interpret collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), coach managers on contract-compliant discipline, and keep the company compliant with employment and labor law. You will balance employee advocacy with organizational risk while maintaining constructive relationships with union representatives.

What impact you’ll make:

• Intake, triage, and manage employee concerns, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, and interpersonal conflict
• Conduct fair, timely, well-documented investigations by interviewing complainants, respondents, and witnesses, gathering evidence, and writing clear findings reports
• Ensure investigations honor employee representation rights, including Weingarten rights, and CBA procedural requirements
• Manage grievances and recommend outcomes and corrective actions consistent with policy, precedent, and the CBA, while maintaining confidential case files and tracking trends by department, manager, and issue type
• Advise managers on progressive discipline, performance improvement plans, attendance, and terminations, and review proposed actions for just cause, consistency, contract compliance, and legal risk before they are delivered
• Train supervisors on contract administration, avoiding unfair labor practices, and working with union representatives
• Partner with HR Business Partners and Legal on high-risk or complex situations, and support responses to agency charges (EEOC, NLRB, state agencies) and unemployment claims, including documentation and position statements
• Help ensure compliance with the NLRA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA, and applicable state and local laws, and draft and update handbook policies and manager guidance, coordinating with the union on changes that require bargaining
• Deliver training on respectful workplace, anti-harassment, and conflict resolution, and report quarterly on case volume, grievance trends, time to resolution, turnover drivers, and recommendations

What you’ve accomplished:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Labor Relations, Business, Psychology, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 2 years handling employee relations cases or workplace investigations
• 2+ years of hands‑on union experience, including administering a CBA, handling grievances, and working directly with union representatives
• Working knowledge of the NLRA, unfair labor practices, just cause, and grievance and arbitration procedures
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment law
• Strong interviewing, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to produce defensible investigation reports and grievance responses
• Sound judgment and discretion with sensitive, confidential information
• Proficiency with a case management system (HR Acuity) and Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace

What we offer:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance on the first of the month after you begin employment
• Competitive additional benefits including HSA, FSA, Dependable Care, EAP services, etc
• 15 Days of accrued PTO in addition to 2 Wellness Days & Volunteer Hours that will increase with tenure
• 401k program with an employer match after six months of employment

Why Choose Vireo?

Life’s too short to work somewhere that doesn’t ignite your passion. The cannabis industry is fast‑paced, innovative, and full of opportunity—where science meets creativity, and wellness meets culture.

At Vireo Health, we’re pioneering the future of cannabis with a team that’s as dynamic as the industry itself. Here, you’ll find a workplace that’s collaborative, inclusive, and driven by HEART and purpose—where your work has a real impact on people’s lives.

Whether you’re cultivating the highest‑quality plants, crafting cutting‑edge products, or shaping unforgettable customer experiences, you’ll be part of something bigger. If you’re looking for a career that’s exciting, meaningful, and full of growth, let’s build the future of cannabis together.

Why Join Us?

• A Growing Industry: Help shape the future of cannabis in a rapidly expanding market.
• Passionate Culture: Work with people who care deeply about the plant, the purpose, and each other.
• Employee Perks: Competitive pay and benefits, paid time off, and employee discounts.
• Meaningful Impact: We’re committed to education, sustainability, and giving back to the communities we serve.

Vireo Health, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.