Specialist - Workplace Relations - Bradenton - Burkes Outlet Store

Description

Specialist Workplace Relations

About Bealls Inc.

If you're seeking a career with a company that encourages authenticity, rewards innovation and provides stability and work/life harmony, then Bealls Inc. is the place for you At Bealls Inc., our associates have a shared responsibility to each other that has fueled our considerable retail industry success. Here you'll find a blend of tenured associates with deep company knowledge working alongside talents from national and international retailers, various industries, and recent graduates, all united by a shared vision.

Who We Are

We are a group of passionate people who utilize our unique talents to help our guests outfit their families for less.

We strive to hire and develop talented and diverse associates by fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and authenticity that benefits from and thrives on a wide range of skills, styles, backgrounds and experiences.

We believe we are better when we work together, leveraging collaboration and relationships throughout our organization and the broader retail industry to help accomplish our goals.

We are continuously pursuing solutions that address environmental impact and advance sustainable practices, while strengthening relationships with our communities, our associates, and our industry partners.

Practices that associates experience when joining include Authenticity, Acceptance, Accountability, Empowerment, Gratitude, Openness, Presence and Transparency.

Why Join Bealls Inc.

Location: Our corporate offices are in beautiful and sunny Bradenton, FL. We offer corporate associates the flexibility of hybrid work schedules, with variations by department.

Stability: We are a financially strong, multi-billion-dollar, growing organization that has been around for 110 years We have over 650 retail stores across 22 states under bealls, Bealls Florida, and Home Centric store brands, along with 50 exclusive brands in our stores

Benefits: We provide weekly pay and comprehensive benefits, health and wellness perks including paid time off and retirement saving plans because associate well-being is a priority.

Growth: We focus on cultivating internal talent and educating new members of the organization through numerous training programs and learning tools. This is accomplished through continuous professional development at all levels in the classroom, in the field and on the job.

Connection: Surround yourself with others who find purpose, passion, and fulfillment in their work, with an organization that believes in making communities safer and healthier for generations to come.

Impact on Business

This role is an in-office role (Monday - Friday). Our office is located in Bradenton.

The Specialist partners directly with store, field, and operational leaders to support thoughtful, fair, and consistent handling of people matters. This role is highly people-facing and centered on building trust, guiding leaders through sensitive situations, and applying structured approaches to workplace concerns.

This role is well-suited for someone who enjoys working closely with front-line teams, values collaboration, and is motivated by helping leaders and associates navigate challenging situations successfully. Experience in field or operational environments is highly valued, and HR expertise is developed through training, partnership, and ongoing coaching.

Reporting Relationship

• Reports to: Senior Manager Human Resources
• No direct reports

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

Workplace Relations & Field Support

• Partner with store, field, DC, and corporate leaders to address workplace concerns and sensitive people issues.
• Conduct workplace relations investigations using structured fact-finding and the Wicklander-Zulawski methodology, in partnership with International Association of Interviewers (IAI) best practices.
• Guide leaders through difficult associate conversations with clarity, fairness, and confidence.
• Provide practical, real-time guidance that aligns policy, employment law, and operational realities.
• Escalate complex or high-risk matters appropriately while providing thoughtful recommendations.

Performance Management & Coaching

• Coach leaders on performance management fundamentals, including documentation, counseling conversations, and corrective action.
• Help leaders address performance issues early and effectively to support associate success and business outcomes.
• Reinforce consistency in how performance issues are handled across the business.

ADA / Ability to Perform & Medical Leaves

• Manage ADA and ability-to-perform requests, including the interactive process and required documentation.
• Manage non-FMLA medical leaves in accordance with company policy, ensuring accurate tracking, communication, and timely follow-up.
• Partner with leaders, Benefits, and senior HR on complex or sensitive accommodation or medical leave matters.
• Partner with leaders, Benefits, and senior HR on complex or sensitive accommodation matters.

Team Calibration & Risk Mitigation

• Participate in daily Workplace Relations team meetings to review active cases, mitigate risk, and ensure consistency across stores, Distribution Centers, and corporate functions.
• Identify trends, recurring challenges, or gaps in field understanding and elevate insights to senior HR leadership.

Training & Partnership

• Partner with Training & Development to help create and deliver practical workplace relations and performance management training.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate live or virtual training sessions for field leaders as assigned.
• Support additional HR-related duties and projects as assigned, consistent with the scope of the role.

Day in the Life

No two days are exactly the same, but this role follows a consistent rhythm focused on partnership and problem-solving. A typical day may include:

• Participating in a morning Workplace Relations team meeting to review active cases, align on approach, and ensure consistency across the business.
• Connecting with store, field, or operational leaders to discuss ongoing workplace concerns or upcoming associate conversations.
• Conducting or preparing for structured interviews related to workplace matters.
• Coaching leaders through documentation, performance conversations, or next steps.
• Partnering with Benefits or senior HR on medical leaves, accommodations, or escalated situations.
• Documenting case activity and identifying themes or learning opportunities to share with the team.

Expectations for Success

• Build strong, trusted relationships with field and operational leaders.
• Help leaders feel confident handling people issues rather than avoiding them.
• Conduct structured, respectful interviews that get to the facts while maintaining associate dignity.
• Balance empathy with accountability in high-pressure situations.
• Know when to act independently and when to escalate.
• Contribute insights that improve consistency and reduce risk over time.

Qualifications and Attributes

Required

• At least one year of hands-on workplace relations, employee relations, or people-issue resolution experience, which may come from HR, field leadership, operations, or loss prevention roles.
• Experience in a people-intensive, front-line environment such as retail leadership, field operations, loss prevention, hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare operations, or similar roles.
• Strong comfort level engaging in frequent, live conversations with leaders and associates.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism, confidence, and discretion.
• Strong communication, judgment, and organizational skills.

Preferred

• 4-year degree preferred.
• HR, workplace relations, employee relations, or investigative experience.
• Exposure to structured interview methodologies (Wicklander-Zulawski or similar).
• HR certification (SHRM, HRCI) or willingness to pursue.
• Experience supporting multi-location or field-based operations.

Key Attributes

• People-centered and energized by partnering with front-line teams.
• Confident, steady presence in emotionally charged or high-stakes conversations.
• Coachable and open to learning established HR frameworks and approaches.
• Curious and willing to ask thoughtful questions when perspectives differ.
• Practical, fair, and consistent in decision-making.
• Strong sense of integrity and respect for associates and leaders alike.

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