Human Resources Generalist

One of our major fashion clients is looking for a freelance HR Generalist to join the team right away. This is a 3-month freelance role, with potential to convert to a permanent position. This will be focused on supporting the retail stores.

This role is based in NYC and is in the office 4 days a week, remote on Friday's. Role pays $65/hour. Around 40/hours a week.

The HR Generalist, Stores serves as the primary People Team partner for retail store teams. This role is the day-to-day point of contact for store associates and managers on all people-related matters, with a focus on associate relations, benefits administration, and HR operations. Must have experience working with retail stores for this position.

Core Responsibilities

Associate Relations

Serve as the first point of contact for store associates and managers on employee relations matters including performance concerns, conduct issues, and workplace conflicts.

Conduct thorough and objective workplace investigations; document findings and recommend appropriate resolutions in partnership with the People leadership team and legal counsel as needed.

Provide coaching and guidance to store managers on performance management, corrective action, and documentation best practices.

Partner with store leadership to proactively identify and address employee morale, retention, and engagement trends at the store level.

Support the offboarding process for involuntary and voluntary separations

Ensure consistent application of company policies and procedures across all store locations; identify gaps and escalate policy questions appropriately.

Benefits Administration

Act as the benefits resource for store associates, fielding questions related to medical, dental, vision, 401(k), leave programs, and ancillary benefits.

Guide store associates and managers through leave of absence processes including FMLA, state-specific paid family leave programs, Short-Term Disability, ADA accommodations, and company leave policies.

Coordinate with carriers and third-party administrators to resolve escalated associate benefits issues in a timely manner.

HR Operations

Pull and analyze people data and reporting (headcount, turnover, absenteeism) to surface insights for store and People leadership.

Partner with Payroll on timekeeping issues, pay corrections, and other payroll-adjacent inquiries escalated from store teams.

Contribute to People Team projects and initiatives including policy updates, compliance training rollouts, and process improvement efforts.

Qualifications

Required

• 4–5 years of HR Generalist or HR Business Partner experience, with at least 2 years supporting a retail, hospitality, or similarly distributed hourly workforce.

Solid working knowledge of federal and state employment law, including FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA, and NLRA.

Demonstrated experience managing employee relations matters, including conducting workplace investigations.

Hands-on experience with benefits administration and leave of absence management.

Proficiency with an HRIS platform (e.g., Workday, UKG, ADP); strong Microsoft Office / Google Workspace skills.

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust across all levels of an organization.

Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Willingness to travel to store locations as needed.

Preferred

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

PHR or SHRM-CP certification.

Experience supporting a multi-state workforce and familiarity with state-specific leave laws (e.g., NY PFL, CA PDL, NJ FLI).

Prior experience in retail and/ or consumer brands.