Employee Relations Specialist

Employee Relations SpecialistSupports Savers' vision by managing complex Team Member Relations matters across U.S. and Canadian operations. This role conducts investigations, manages workplace accommodations, and supports responses to external legal claims. The TMR Specialist ensures timely, compliant, high-quality case handling, maintains accurate documentation in EthicsPoint (NAVEX), analyzes trends, and coaches field leaders in alignment with applicable employment laws. While supporting North America, the primary focus is the Southwest Region; fluency in English and Spanish is required.Essential Job Functions:Respond to and manage inbound employee relations concerns in alignment with Savers' open-door procedures.Conduct timely, thorough, and unbiased investigations into workplace concerns (e.g., harassment, discrimination, workplace violence), ensuring initial response within 24–48 hours and timely progression to resolution aligned with departmental expectations.Apply consistent investigative standards, assess credibility and evidence, and recommend outcomes aligned with company policy and applicable laws.Maintain complete, accurate, and audit-ready documentation for all cases in EthicsPoint (NAVEX).Conduct investigations and employee relations interactions in both English and Spanish, ensuring clear, accurate, and legally sound communication.Identify recurring issues and escalate systemic risks.Lead the interactive accommodation process, ensuring all requests are completed within established timelines (target: 30 days) and fully compliant with ADA, provincial human rights legislation, and company policy.Partner with field leaders to assess accommodation options, balancing team member needs with operational feasibility.Document all steps, decisions, and rationale to ensure defensible, consistent outcomes.Monitor accommodation activity and identify opportunities to improve consistency, efficiency, and compliance.Review, assess, and support responses to external legal claims (e.g., human rights, employment standards, or civil matters) in partnership with Legal and TMR leadership.Conduct thorough investigations related to legal matters, identifying risks, gaps, and areas of strength.Prepare draft summaries, chronologies, fact statements, and response materials for Legal review.Ensure all submissions meet legal timelines, documentation standards, and evidentiary requirements.Partner closely with Legal and TMR leadership, incorporating feedback and aligning case strategy and risk mitigation.Deliver structured training and coaching to managers (target: multiple sessions per quarter) to strengthen capability in employee relations, investigations, and accommodations.Analyze case data and deliver regular reporting (including regional insights), identifying trends, risks, and proactive action plans.Present findings and recommendations to internal stakeholders to improve workplace practices and reduce risk.Provide ongoing guidance to field leaders to reinforce appropriate handling of employee relations issues and compliance obligations.Utilize AI tools to support case summaries, documentation quality, and trend analysis to improve efficiency and consistency.Manage pre-employment and promotion-related background check adjudications in compliance with applicable laws and internal standards.Ensure timely progression of cases, proactively identifying and escalating delays.Maintain complete, accurate, and compliant documentation to support hiring decisions.GeneralPerform other duties as assigned.What you have:Strong investigative skills, including the ability to assess complaints related to harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, and other policy violations, applying sound judgment aligned with company policy and federal, state, and provincial laws.High level of discretion and ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with professionalism, sound judgment, and integrity.Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex or sensitive information to a wide range of stakeholders.Fluency in both English and Spanish (written and verbal), with the ability to conduct investigations, accommodations processes, and employee interactions in both languages effectively and professionally.Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to assess risk, identify gaps or inconsistencies, and draw well-reasoned, defensible conclusions.Superior organizational, prioritization, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex cases while meeting strict timelines and service expectations.Ability to remain composed, objective, and effective when working in high-pressure, emotionally charged, and ambiguous situations.Demonstrated ability to influence, coach, and build trust with leaders at all levels while maintaining strong working relationships.Strong working knowledge of employment law frameworks across the United States, or the ability to quickly build this capability.Comfortable and adaptable in using technology, including case management systems and AI tools, to improve efficiency, documentation quality, and decision-making.Self-directed and able to work independently in a remote environment, while maintaining accountability, responsiveness, and strong communication.Demonstrated curiosity and continuous improvement mindset, with a proactive approach to identifying trends, risks, and opportunities to enhance team member relations practices.Minimum Required Education, Training and ExperiencePost-secondary degree in Business, Human Resources, or related field, or equivalent work experience.5+ years' experience in Human Resources, which includes a minimum of 3 years' experience and/or training in complex employee relations, workplace investigations and accommodations within a multi-location organization.Demonstrated experience managing sensitive and complex cases with sound judgment, strong documentation practices, and alignment to legal and compliance requirements.Experience supporting or partnering on external legal claims, or working closely with legal counsel, is preferred.Consistent track record of ownership, accountability, and follow-through in managing employee relations matters from intake through resolution.Strong commitment to continuous learning, with the ability to quickly build knowledge across U.S. and Canadian employment law frameworks.CPHR, SPHR, or PHR certification is preferred.Fluency in English and Spanish (written and verbal) is required.FLSA: ExemptTravel: 10% or lessWork Type/Location:REMOTE – Arizona, Nevada, Utah, TexasPrimary support for Southwest US operations, with broader North America case support as neededMust be fully bilingual in English and Spanish (required)Pacific or Mountain time, but must be willing to support cross-time-zone collaboration across North America as neededSavers BenefitsGeographic & job eligibility rules may applyHealthcare PlansComprehensive coverage (medical/dental/vision) at a reasonable costSpecialized health and wellness programs (quit smoking, counseling, diabetes management, chronic joint pain)Paid Time OffSick PayVacation Pay - Approximately 2 weeks6 paid holidays plus 1 to 2 additional floating holidaysTeam member discountsUp to 50% off store merchandiseFlexible spending accountsUse pre-tax dollars for eligible health and day care expensesEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)A whole suite of free tools and resources to manage life's challenges and maintain a healthy work-life balanceRetirement PlanA 401k plan with generous company matching contributions to assist you in saving for a secure financial future.Life insuranceCompany provided peace of mind and the option to purchase a supplemental planAdditional BenefitsAnnual BonusPerformance Merit IncreasesDisability InsuranceParental LeaveWe're an equal opportunity employer :All team members and job applicants will be treated fairly, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status,