HR Specialist, Employee Relations

$75,000 - $85,000/Yr

El Pollo Loco - Costa Mesa, CA

Full-time - Entry Level

Costa Mesa, CA

1,001-5,000 employees

Food Services and Drinking Places

About the position

The Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for fostering a positive employee relations culture within the organization. This role involves addressing workplace concerns, guiding conflict resolution, and ensuring the fair application of company policies. The specialist acts as the primary liaison with the leave of absence (LOA) vendor, overseeing the administration of LOA processes and ensuring compliance with legal and company guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct prompt and thorough investigations into employee concerns and policy violations.
• Provide guidance and recommendations to managers and employees regarding policies and conflicts.
• Support HR leadership in developing and updating employee relations policies and training.
• Maintain confidential employee relations records and ensure compliance with legal standards.
• Manage the company's LOA vendor and oversee communication and escalation of cases.
• Educate employees and managers on LOA policies and procedures, including CFRA, FMLA, and ADA.
• Monitor LOA cases to ensure accurate tracking and timely action.
• Generate reports on employee relations and LOA trends for HR leadership.
• Travel to restaurant locations as needed to support field teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in employee relations or HR compliance, preferably with LOA administration experience.
• Experience in a multi-state, multi-site role, ideally in the restaurant/retail/hotel industry.
• Relevant certifications such as PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP are desired.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including FMLA and ADA.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS.

Nice-to-haves

• Bilingual in Spanish is highly desirable.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick time
• Free El Pollo Loco food (Dine Out Card)
• Discounts on theme parks, movie tickets, sports events, hotels and more.