Senior Employee Relations Specialist; Bilingual

Position: Senior Employee Relations Specialist (Bilingual)
Reporting to the HR Manager, the Senior Employee Relations Specialist will play a key role in identifying, developing, and implementing employee relations programs. This role provides expert guidance to managers on the application of policies, employment legislation, and the timely resolution of workplace issues. The Specialist operates as a trusted HR advisor to employees nationally across all divisions and collaborates closely with the HR team to identify trends, generate insights, and recommend actions based on data and professional expertise.

Responsibilities

Coach and support people leaders on routine performance matters, including corrective action, and prepare documentation as needed.

Escalate sensitive or complex situations to the appropriate HR Manager when required.

Liaise with third‑party providers to resolve employee relations concerns for retail and field sales associates.

Facilitate ongoing training and develop tools and resources for people leaders on employee relations best practices.

Monitor trends and identify locations or teams with higher volumes of incidents to inform targeted follow‑up, coaching, and training initiatives.

Conduct effective, thorough, and objective conversations, meetings, interviews, and investigations related to potential violations of company policies, employment laws, and employee complaints (e.g., harassment, discrimination, unfair treatment).

Apply independent judgment and professional expertise when recommending resolutions and ensure proper documentation is maintained.

Serve as the Canadian lead for the Global Speak Up (Whistle blower) policy.

Provide guidance to supervisors on labour and employment law compliance, wage and hour requirements, harassment and discrimination prevention, and company policies and programs.

Update policies, programs, and handbooks to reflect legislative changes and people strategy.

Lead proactive communication and programs to ensure compliance with employment and labour relations legislation.

Assess, respond to, and facilitate employee accommodation requests, partnering with the Total Rewards Specialist on accommodation planning and return‑to‑work processes.

Facilitate exit interviews, conduct root‑cause analyses, and recommend strategies to address key issues and improve retention, turnover, and overall employee experience.

Foster open, candid dialogue with employees and promote key programs within our Winning Culture strategy.

Actively participate in the Winning Culture Ambassador ERG.

Tailor communication respectfully and effectively to different audiences, reflecting our Lindt Values and Winning Culture pillars.

Support the administration of Retail employee surveys, including reporting and initial analysis.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of employment law, legislation, and conflict‑resolution practices, supported by post‑secondary education in HR, psychology, or a related discipline, as well as the completion (or pursuit) of HR designation requirements.

Ability to partner with and coach managers through personnel and labour‑related issues, providing thoughtful, flexible, and solutions‑oriented guidance.

Minimum of  3 years of experience  in a generalist HR capacity; experience within the  CPG and/or Retail industry  is considered an asset.

Demonstrated ability to prepare and present high‑quality written materials, including investigation reports, resolution summaries, and position statements.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively both verbally and in writing, and to handle sensitive interactions with discretion, tact, and professionalism.

Proficiency in  Microsoft Office  applications.

Fluency in French  is required.

Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and…