Employee Relations Specialist / ER Business Partner

We’re partnering with an established organization seeking an experienced Employee Relations Specialist / ER Business Partner for a 3+ month contract engagement supporting a workforce of approximately 150 employees.

This is a highly hands-on ER role for someone who enjoys getting into the work—partnering directly with leaders, addressing employee concerns, conducting investigations, and providing thoughtful, practical guidance on complex workplace situations. You’ll serve as a trusted resource to managers while helping ensure employee relations matters are handled consistently, fairly, and in compliance with California employment requirements.

The role is hybrid in Palo Alto, with three days per week onsite, and offers the opportunity to step into an organization where your ER expertise can have an immediate impact.

What You’ll Do:

• Manage a caseload of employee relations matters from intake through resolution.
• Conduct and support workplace investigations involving sensitive and complex employee concerns.
• Partner closely with managers to address performance, conduct, conflict, attendance, and other workplace issues.
• Provide practical, risk-based recommendations that balance employee experience, business needs, organizational policy, and employment law.
• Coach managers on effective documentation, corrective action, performance management, and employee communication.
• Identify patterns and emerging ER issues and recommend proactive solutions.
• Help ensure consistent application of policies and employee relations practices.
• Support improvements to ER processes, tools, documentation, and overall service delivery.
• Partner with HR colleagues and organizational leaders on issues requiring strong judgment, discretion, and follow-through.

What We’re Looking For:

• Strong hands-on employee relations experience, ideally in an ER Specialist, ERBP, HR Business Partner, or HR Manager capacity.
• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations and managing sensitive employee matters.
• Strong working knowledge of California employment practices and employee relations requirements.
• Experience coaching managers through difficult conversations, performance concerns, and corrective action.
• Ability to assess risk, exercise sound judgment, and provide clear and practical recommendations.
• Excellent documentation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable working independently and stepping quickly into an active caseload.
• A calm, credible, and approachable style with the ability to build trust across all levels of an organization.

Engagement Details

Contract: 3+ months

Schedule: Hybrid – 3 days per week onsite

Location: Palo Alto, CA

Compensation: $60–$70/hour

Employee Population: Approximately 150 employees

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ER professional who enjoys being close to the work, partnering directly with leaders, and helping navigate challenging employee situations with fairness, consistency, and good judgment.