Employee Relations Specialist

Overview

We are a leading for-profit thrift retailer operating across the United States, Canada, and Australia, dedicated to promoting reuse and inspiring a future where buying secondhand is natural. We source unique, gently used goods donated by the community through local nonprofits, providing funding to these organizations while diverting items from landfills. Our brands include Savers, Value Village, Unique, and others. We currently seek an Employee Relations Specialist to join our remote team based in Montreal, Quebec, or Ottawa.

Role and Responsibilities

• Address complex employee relations issues across US and Canadian operations, mainly focusing on Eastern Canada regions.
• Conduct thorough, impartial workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, and workplace violence, ensuring timely initial response within 24-48 hours and resolution aligned with company policy and laws.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready case documentation using EthicsPoint (NAVEX) in both English and French.
• Lead interactive accommodation processes within legal frameworks, partnering with store managers to balance employee needs and operational feasibility.
• Support management of external legal claims, collaborating with legal and employee relations leadership to prepare detailed reports, timelines, and responses ensuring compliance with deadlines and documentation standards.
• Provide structured training and coaching to managers on employee relations, investigations, and accommodations multiple times quarterly.
• Analyze case data regularly to identify trends, risks, and provide actionable insight to stakeholders for workplace improvements.
• Manage background check decisions for employment and promotion in compliance with legal requirements and internal policies.
• Perform additional assigned duties as required.

Qualifications and Skills

• Post-secondary degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3 to 5 years progressive experience in multi-site employee relations including investigations and accommodation management.
• Proven discretion handling sensitive and confidential information with integrity.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and French for oral and written communication, able to conduct investigations and interact with staff professionally in both languages.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking to assess risks and reach defensible conclusions.
• Excellent organizational skills to prioritize and handle multiple complex cases under tight deadlines.
• Ability to remain calm, objective, and effective under stressful, emotional, or unclear situations.
• Experience influencing and coaching managers across levels to build trust and solid working relationships.
• Practical knowledge or quick learning ability regarding Canadian and US labor laws.
• Comfort with technology including case management systems and AI tools to enhance documentation accuracy and decision-making.
• Self-driven to work independently in remote environment with accountability and consistent communication.
• Keen learner with proactive mindset focused on continuous improvement in employee relations practices.
• HR certifications (CHRP, SPHR, PHR) preferred.

Additional Details

• Salary range: $77,193 to $114,247 CAD annually.
• Work location: Remote from Montreal, Quebec, or Ottawa.
• Travel required up to 10%.
• Comprehensive benefits available for full-time team members including health plans, company-paid life and accidental death insurance, registered retirement savings plan with employer match, paid time off, and mental health services.
• Training and career development supported through in-house Savers University, delivering primarily internally developed programs alongside notable external providers.