HR Specialist

HR Specialist, Labor Relations - New York, New York

Pay Grade: 11

Reports To:

Salary: $80000 - $90000

Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion is Food! At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the 'job search' in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on'referral tracking.' For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email MyReferral@compass-usa.com.

Job Summary

The HR Specialist will serve as a dedicated on-site resource for a newly unionized corporate dining location. This role is essential in fostering a fair, consistent, and collaborative work environment by supporting both employee relations and labor relations. Our HR Specialist will serve as a liaison between frontline team members, management, union representatives, and regional HR, ensuring alignment with Compass Group policies, union agreements, and best practices in employee engagement. Please note - UNION EXPERIENCE is a must for this on site role.

Key Responsibilities

Employee & Labor Relations

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee concerns, promoting open communication and early resolution of workplace issues.
• Partner with union representatives and regional HR to manage grievances, arbitrations, and other union-related activities in a timely and respectful manner.
• Encourage a culture of trust and transparency where employees feel supported and empowered to raise concerns internally before escalating externally.

Policy & Contract Compliance

• Ensure consistent application of Compass Group policies and collective bargaining agreement provisions across all levels of management.
• Provide guidance to managers on handling employee relations matters in accordance with both company standards and union expectations.
• Monitor workplace practices to identify and address potential inconsistencies or risks before they escalate.

Training & Development

• Develop and deliver site-specific training programs to enhance leadership capabilities, conflict resolution, and policy awareness.
• Facilitate training sessions provided by National HR, tailoring content to meet the needs of the local team.
• Support ongoing education around labor relations, employee rights, and respectful workplace practices.

Union Collaboration & Issue Prevention

• Build constructive relationships with union representatives to maintain a cooperative and solutions-oriented environment.
• Proactively identify and address workplace concerns to reduce the likelihood of formal disputes or escalations.
• Act as a strategic partner in maintaining a balanced approach to union engagement—ensuring compliance while promoting internal resolution and team cohesion.

Strategic Impact

This role is critical to maintaining a consistent, fair, and respectful workplace culture. By promoting proactive communication, supporting managerial consistency, and fostering collaborative labor relations, the HR Specialist helps minimize workplace disruptions and ensures the team thrives in a newly unionized environment.

Qualifications

Three+ years of relevant human resources experience - employee relations and labor relations HR practictioner Demonstrated success in HR partnership and implementation within a relevant hospitality environment, strongly preferred Strong written and oral communication skills; you're an emotionally intelligent, tactful, proactive communicator Business systems acumen - experience utilizing the necessary tools & tech to effectively do your job

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits. Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance/ AD, Disability Insurance, Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state), Associate Shopping Program, Health and Wellness Programs, Discount Marketplace, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Paid Parental Leave, Personal Leave. Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace. Req ID: 1475709 Bon Appetit Johanna P Heidler