Sr. Employee Relations Specialist

Job Title : Senior Employee Relations Specialist (Hybrid Kankakee IL)

Location : Kankakee IL (Hybrid 3 days onsite flexible schedule)

Duration : 9-month contract (likely to extend)

Hours : 40 hours per week

Start Date : November 24 2025

Overview :

Seeking a highly skilled Senior Employee Relations Specialist to manage complex employee relations matters investigations and compliance initiatives. This position plays a critical role in supporting leadership fostering fair workplace practices and maintaining positive employee and union relations within a fast-paced collaborative environment. Candidates with experience in unionized environments are strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities :

Conduct confidential investigations into employee misconduct harassment discrimination and policy violations.

Manage and resolve compliance hotline cases documenting findings accurately.

Advise and coach managers on employee relations disciplinary actions and conflict resolution.

Partner with legal counsel and HR Business Partners to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with labor and employment laws.

Facilitate terminations and maintain thorough documentation.

Interpret and apply company policies and collective bargaining agreements.

Resolve grievances participate in arbitrations and build strong relationships with union representatives and Works Councils.

Oversee the medical accommodation process and facilitate discussions with HR and medical experts.

Guide leaders on corrective action performance improvement plans and SMART objectives.

Support the creation and delivery of employee relations training and programs.

Contribute to HR and ER projects maintaining complete and compliant case documentation.

Qualifications :

Bachelor s degree in Human Resources Business Organizational Psychology or related field.

5 7 years of progressive experience in employee relations with a strong focus on investigations.

Comprehensive understanding of employment laws compliance and HR best practices.

Proficiency in HRIS and case management systems (e.g. ServiceNow NAVEX EthicsPoint).

Excellent communication coaching and influencing skills.

High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information.

Ability to manage high case volumes (25 40 per week) and prioritize effectively.

Must be local to Kankakee IL and available onsite 3 days per week.

Preferred :

Strong experience in unionized and large non-exempt workforce environments.

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification.

Bilingual (English / Spanish).

Experience supporting multiple locations or working in a global matrixed organization.

Additional Details :

Fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and occasional overtime.

10% overnight travel may be required.

Emphasis on resilience self-care and emotional intelligence due to case sensitivity.

Comprehensive 1-month internal training and strong peer support system provided.

Interview Process :

1 3 virtual interviews with the hiring team; decisions typically made within 2 3 weeks.

Key Skills

Customer Service,CFA,Ethernet,Fiber,Anesthesia

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1