Employee Relations Specialist

Employee Relations Specialist

Reports to Vice President, Strategic HR Business Partner

Remote – US

Overview:

The Employee Relations Specialist is a hands-on, operational role responsible for managing the day-to-day employee relations function at One Inc — including workplace investigations, dispute resolution, performance improvement guidance, policy interpretation, and compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws.

This role partners closely with the HRBP team and front-line managers to address employee concerns, navigate conflict, and ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant outcomes across the organization. The Employee Relations Specialist serves as a trusted resource for managers and employees alike — bringing sound judgment, discretion, and a deep commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and equitable workplace.

The Employee Relations Specialist is focused on execution — conducting investigations, coaching managers through disciplinary processes and performance improvement plans, resolving workplace disputes, and ensuring One Inc's policies and practices are applied consistently and in accordance with applicable laws.

The ideal candidate brings significant experience handling a wide range of workplace investigations and employee relations challenges, demonstrates exceptional judgment, and approaches every situation with the highest level of sensitivity, professionalism, and care.

Key Responsibilities

Workplace Investigations

• Conduct thorough, objective, and timely workplace investigations into employee complaints, policy violations, misconduct allegations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other concerns.
• Manage the full investigation lifecycle — intake, planning, witness interviews, evidence gathering, documentation, findings, and recommended actions.
• Prepare clear, well-organized investigation summaries and reports with supportable conclusions and recommended corrective actions.
• Ensure all investigations are conducted in compliance with company policy, applicable employment laws, and best practices for confidentiality and neutrality.
• Maintain accurate, organized case files and investigation records in accordance with documentation and retention standards.
• Track investigation trends and patterns to identify systemic issues and recommend proactive interventions.

Employee Relations & Dispute Resolution

• Serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day employee relations matters, including interpersonal conflicts, workplace concerns, grievances, and behavioral issues.
• Partner with front-line managers to address and resolve employee disputes promptly, fairly, and in alignment with company policies.
• Provide guidance and coaching to managers on handling difficult conversations, delivering constructive feedback, and managing underperformance.
• Mediate and facilitate resolution of workplace conflicts, balancing the needs of the business, the manager, and the employee.
• Escalate complex or high-risk matters to the HRBP team or legal counsel as appropriate.

Performance Improvement & Disciplinary Actions

• Advise and coach managers through the performance improvement plan (PIP) process — from identifying performance gaps through documentation, goal-setting, monitoring, and outcome determination.
• Ensure PIPs are fair, well-documented, legally sound, and aligned with One Inc's performance management philosophy.
• Guide managers on appropriate disciplinary actions, including verbal and written warnings, final warnings, and terminations, ensuring consistency and compliance.
• Review and consult on disciplinary documentation to ensure clarity, accuracy, and legal defensibility.
• Partner with the HRBP team to ensure performance management actions are aligned with broader talent strategies and organizational context.

Policy Interpretation & Compliance

• Serve as a subject matter resource on One Inc's employee handbook, workplace policies, and employment practices.
• Interpret and apply company policies consistently across the organization, advising managers and employees on expectations and obligations.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws — including but not limited to FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA, and applicable state-specific regulations.
• Identify policy gaps or areas of ambiguity and recommend updates or clarifications in partnership with the HRBP team and legal counsel.
• Stay current on evolving employment law, regulatory changes, and industry best practices related to employee relations and workplace compliance.

Partnership & Collaboration

• Work closely with the HRBP team to ensure alignment between employee relations activities and broader people strategies.
• Provide regular updates and reporting to the HRBP team and HR leadership on open cases, investigation outcomes, trends, and risk areas.
• Collaborate with managers and leaders across the organization to build trust, promote early intervention, and foster a culture of accountability and respect.
• Support HR-led training efforts related to workplace conduct, anti-harassment, manager responsibilities, and conflict resolution.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of manager education on employee relations best practices, documentation standards, and legal obligations.

Workplace Culture & Risk Mitigation

• Champion a safe, fair, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace environment across One Inc.
• Proactively identify employee relations risks and recommend preventive measures to reduce exposure and strengthen organizational health.
• Support the creation and maintenance of a positive workplace culture where employees feel heard, respected, and supported.
• Assist with responses to agency charges (EEOC, state agencies) and unemployment claims as needed.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5–8 years of direct experience in employee relations, workplace investigations, or a related HR discipline.
• Demonstrated experience conducting a wide variety of workplace investigations — including misconduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy violations, and interpersonal conflicts.
• Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws (e.g., Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, WARN, state-specific leave and accommodation laws).
• Proven ability to advise managers on performance improvement plans, disciplinary actions, and documentation best practices.
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism and care.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, well-organized investigation reports and documentation.
• Experience partnering with HRBPs, legal counsel, and cross-functional leaders in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field — or equivalent experience.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in high-growth technology, SaaS, fintech, or insurance environments.
• Familiarity with multi-state employment compliance across a distributed or remote workforce.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or AWI (Association of Workplace Investigators) certification.
• Experience with case management systems or HR platforms for tracking and reporting employee relations activity.
• Training or certification in workplace mediation, conflict resolution, or investigative interviewing techniques.

Physical Demands:

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment:	Standard indoor office setting; exposure to computer screens.
Physical:	Requires repetitive motion. Substantial movements/motions of the wrists hands, and/or fingers. Sufficient mobility to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard, mouse, scanner and other tools as needed.
Vision:	See in the normal vision range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents.
Hearing:	Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without corrections.

Company Profile:

At One Inc, we empower insurers to meet policyholder expectations with choice, control, convenience, and continuity. Our mission is simple: to make every payment a promise kept.

The One Inc Insurance Payments Network seamlessly integrates multi-channel digital communications with inbound payment processing and outbound disbursement, delivering a frictionless experience for both premiums and claim payments. With over $120 billion in annual payments volume, we are proud to serve more than 300 insurance carriers, helping them honor their commitments instantly and securely.

Headquartered in Folsom, CA, One Inc offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits — including medical, dental, and vision insurance — a 401(k) plan, and a strong commitment to work-life balance. We believe in growing from within, promoting opportunities for career advancement across our team of 1,200+ dedicated "Onesters."

Join us in building the infrastructure that fulfills the promise of insurance.

One Inc is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all EEOC legislation in each jurisdiction it operates in.