Employee Relations Specialist

FBT Gibbons LLP is a national law firm focused on serving companies operating and investing in the middle market. With nearly 1,500 employees across 25 offices, we support clients ranging from large multinationals to mid-sized businesses and growth-oriented startups across the United States. Our teams collaborate across departments and geographies to deliver excellent service to our clients, colleagues, and the communities we serve.

At FBT Gibbons, diversity enriches our vibrant culture and empowers our teams to achieve more together. We welcome talented professionals who bring valuable skills, a collaborative mindset, and a shared commitment to helping our firm and clients thrive. Here, you’ll make meaningful contributions, collaborate with exceptional colleagues, and build a career that grows with your skills and ambitions.

We are currently seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to play a meaningful role in cultivating a fair, consistent, and supportive workplace by partnering closely with HR leadership on employee relations initiatives. This role offers the opportunity to serve as a trusted advisor to employees and managers, guiding performance conversations, resolving workplace concerns, and contributing to HR processes that enhance engagement and strengthen the overall employee experience.

The ideal candidate is an approachable and trusted HR professional with sound judgment and strong communication skills who navigates employee relations matters with professionalism and discretion while making a meaningful impact on the employee experience.

This position can be based in Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Indianapolis, IN; Louisville, KY; or Nashville, TN.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers by providing guidance on workplace concerns, policy interpretation, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Partner with managers to address performance and conduct issues, including identifying areas for improvement, outlining expectations, and supporting accountability efforts.
• Conduct prompt, thorough and impartial internal investigations related to business professional complaints, misconduct and/or policy violations; document findings and provide recommendations for review by HR leadership.
• Prepare, maintain, and safeguard accurate, timely, and confidential employee relations records in accordance with firm practices and applicable laws.
• Communicate with employees in a professional, empathetic manner, ensuring concerns are heard, appropriately reviewed, and addressed in a timely way.
• Advise managers on best practices related to employee relations, documentation, difficult conversations, and compliance with firm policies and employment laws.
• Assist with HR initiatives and projects that support employee experience, engagement, and workplace culture.
• Assist with administering the introductory and annual performance evaluation process.
• Review, understand and apply firm policies and practices, and provide employees with clear, consistent explanations of policies and procedures.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations across the firm’s footprint.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of business professional positions and expectations to effectively support performance coaching and employee relations needs.
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes, including participating in new hire orientation and conducting exit interviews.
  
  

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• Minimum of three years of employee relations experience in a professional services environment required; five years preferred.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification is preferred.
• Strong business writing skills are required.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with the appropriate discretion.
• Cross-cultural skills and awareness related to individuals from broad backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability, among others.
• Ability to understand unconscious bias and its effect on employee relations and employment decisions.
• Excellent active listening and comprehension skills.
• Intermediate technology skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office products such as but not limited to Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, as well as strong database management skills.
• Accuracy, attention to detail, and thoroughness.
• Professional demeanor and appearance.
• Action oriented to seek additional work to maintain high productivity.
• Ability to prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.
• Interpersonal skills to communicate professionally and effectively by e-mail, telephone, and in person.
  
  

FBT Gibbons is fully committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of FBT Gibbons to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, military status, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other protected status.

FBT Gibbons offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health care coverage (medical, dental, and vision), life insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, employee wellbeing and EAP programs, paid time off, and a 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching and profit-sharing. Benefit offerings and eligibility vary by location and are subject to applicable plan terms and legal requirements.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship. FBT Gibbons does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.