Employee Relations Specialist

AABR; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

On-site positions in NY area

Job summary

AABR in College Point, NY is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to support a positive workplace, guide managers on policies and performance, and resolve employee relations issues.

This role involves investigations, documentation, and collaboration with HR leadership to ensure consistent, fair application of policies in a unionized environment. Requires 4-year degree and 3+ years in HR/employee relations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial or Labor Relations, Organizational Psychology, or a related field.
• Experience in employee relations, HR, or related HR function (3+ years).
• Experience handling complaints, investigations, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Union environment familiarity with CBAs, grievance procedures, and labor relations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for managers on employee relations and policies.
• Coach managers on performance management, attendance, and conduct.
• Investigate employee relations issues including harassment, policy violations, and discrimination.
• Maintain confidential documentation of cases and investigations.
• Participate in IRC and assist with CAP resolutions with program management.
• Ensure practices align with laws and organizational policies.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

HR policies knowledge

Conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/related

Job description

Job Location: College Point, NY 11356

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 Salary/year

Travel Percentage: Up to 25%

Job Shift: Day

Job Category: Human Resources

The Employee Relations Specialist supports a positive, respectful, and productive workplace by providing guidance to managers on workplace concerns, policies, performance matters, and employee relations issues. This position serves as a trusted resource for resolving workplace concerns, conducting investigations, and promoting consistent and fair application of organizational policies and practices. This role also supports employee relations matters within a unionized environment, preferring some familiarity with collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provisions, grievance procedures, and the interplay between organizational policy and contractual obligations.

Essential Job Functions

• Serve as a primary point of contact for managers regarding employee relations matters, workplace concerns, and organizational policies.
• Provide guidance and coaching to managers on performance management, corrective action, attendance, workplace conduct, and conflict resolution.
• Conduct or assist with investigations involving employee relations matters, including workplace conduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and policy violations.
• Maintain accurate, confidential documentation related to employee relations cases and investigations.
• Participate in the Incident Review Committee (IRC) and partner with program management on CAP resolutions.
• Partner with the HR Operations Specialist to conduct employment risk assessments as needed in alignment with Hiring Article 23A.
• Ensure employee relations practices are applied consistently, fairly, and in accordance with organizational policies and applicable employment laws.
• Train and assist managers with performance improvement plans, disciplinary actions, and other corrective measures.
• Support conflict resolution, mediation, and other efforts to address workplace issues effectively.
• Identify recurring employee relations trends and recommend improvements to policies, practices, training, and workplace culture.
• Provide training and education to managers and employees on workplace policies, professional conduct, performance expectations, and employee relations practices.
• Maintain knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and HR best practices.
• Collaborate with the Director of Human Resources on employee engagement; conduct surveys and team building training with L&D.
• Maintain a visible presence at AABR locations by visiting worksites on a regular basis.
• Collaborate with HR leadership, legal, and other departments as appropriate on sensitive or complex employee matters.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employee information.
• Perform other HR-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial or Labor Relations, Organizational Psychology, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in employee relations, human resources, or related HR function.
• Experience handling employee complaints, workplace investigations, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Experience working in a unionized environment, including familiarity with collective bargaining agreements, grievance procedures, and labor relations practices, strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of employment practices, HR policies, and employee relations principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; good public speaking skills.
• HR certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR is preferred.

Salary: $70,000 - $75,000

Comprehensive benefits available for full-time employees