About the role: (**This role is based in NYC)

The Head of HR will be leading all HR functions for the Support Center and Equity shop locations within the US. You will provide guidance and support to all employees in areas of: legal compliance, recruitment, payroll, benefits, well-being, DEI initiatives, onboarding, office support, employee relations and other areas. You will ensure our policies and procedures are compliant with all federal, state and local laws within the areas we operate. You are someone who keeps all information in strict confidence. This position reports to the US President. This role is Hybrid (3 days in the office and 2 days remote).

**This role will be the sole person on the HR team. All responsibilities below will be part of this function. To be successful, you must have experience in all of these areas to be considered: Fair Work Week laws, payroll, benefits, employee relations, leave management, recruitment, people reporting/analytics, workers comp, compliance, DEI, etc.. You must be comfortable working independently, and handling all functions within HR. You must have experience within the hospitality field (ideally restaurants/food retail brands).

Responsibilities:

Employee Relations:

• Provide ongoing support to all employees and offer objective and practical advice on all matters. Seek legal guidance where applicable, either locally or with Pret’s General Counsel.
• Manage disciplinary process by following all policies and procedures.
• Support managers with any performance related or other meetings, including, but not limited to note taking, follow-up communications, terminations and other general support.
• Manage flexible working requests for Support Center team.
• Conduct exit interviews for all leavers from the Support Center.
• Set up all new hires with all appropriate systems (POD, computers, email, etc..)
• Set up all Inductions for new joiners in collaboration with the Training Manager
• Create onboarding schedules for all Support Center new hires
• You will have a Buddy Shop and follow the Pret procedures with your shop.
• Understanding of Fair Work Week and other employment laws in Chicago (and other cities if more shops open).
• Performance Review management
• Be the face of Pret values, culture and behaviors by leading the way. Strong engagement with all employees as a trusted resource who is fair and equitable.

People Systems:

• Key liaison for ADP PEO
• Payroll (Manage weekly and bi-weekly)
• Benefits
• Leave administration (Pret leave, FMLA, PFL, Personal, etc.)
• Workers Compensation
• Bonus
• Applicant Tracking System
• Recruitment
• Employee surveys
• Ensure compliance with job postings, interviews and hiring per Federal, State and local laws and regulations, reference checks.
• Onboarding
• Terminations
• 401k
• Employee documentation files
• Ensure all documents are current and up to date with the appropriate compliance, including the handbook, job descriptions, etc.
• I9 Management (including working with Immigration Attorney)
• Cornerstone: Pret On Demand system oversight with Global team

Reporting:

• Responsible for all reporting (and all other KPIs) requested by all Global Teams and US Leadership team, including turnover, headcount, salaries, and other ad hoc reporting
• Annual survey management

Communication:

• Ensure all relevant information is in weekly meetings and communication tools
• Comfortable supporting Leadership team and leading HR strategy

Ad Hoc duties: