Employee Relations Business Partner

At Cracker Barrel, our mission is Pleasing People. This is evident from the moment you walk through our doors, with the first smile that greets you, from the items in our retail store to the food on the table, we welcome you home!

This individual will be responsible for advising management on employee relations policy, procedure, and regulatory compliance. Documents, reviews, and investigates Title II and Title VII claims. Designs and facilitates compliance and policy training. Develops communications directed at increasing awareness as a proactive measure towards addressing employee relations and guest public accommodation issues. Collaborates with others to resolve employee relations and guest public accommodation matters.

Title II and Title VII Investigations
• Documents and reviews all initial claims and determines if additional investigation is necessary.
• Conducts in-depth Title II and Title VII investigations by conducting personal interviews, collecting
relevant evidence, and properly documenting the facts of the case.
• Determines if a policy violation exists and make recommendations
• Assists in legal discovery and represents Cracker Barrel as a fact witness in litigated cases.
• May require attendance at fact-finding hearings, agency hearings, depositions, or as a witness for
the corporation.

Advises Management on Policy, Procedure, and Regulatory Compliance
• Advises field management on policy and procedure interpretation and appropriate application.
• Provides guidance in personnel decisions such as hiring, counseling, performance evaluations,
leave of absence issues, workplace accommodations, disciplinary actions, and terminations.
• Ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Ensures the uniform and equitable application of organizational policies and procedures.
• Assists in drafting new policies and procedures.
• Advises store management, district managers, and Regional Vice Presidents on how to address
ER related issues under their responsibility.

Compliance and Policy Training and Communications
• Takes proactive measures to increase awareness of policy and law, and identifies and addresses
employee relations issues.
• Facilitates employee relations and employment law training for field management.
• Presents seminars and assists in orientation programs to educate field management regarding
employment laws and policies.
• Drafts information for handbooks, Operations Manual, and other training material.
• Conducts on-site training and open-door sessions for hourly field employees.

Collaborates to Resolve Employee Relations Issues

• Proactively addresses employee issues to safeguard company position.

• When appropriate, seeks a quick and final resolution.

• Resolves employee relations claims by collaborating with appropriate parties (FHR, DM, GM, RVP, Risk Management, Compensation, Benefits, Loss Prevention, EAP).

• Makes recommendations regarding personnel disciplinary action when necessary.

Experience and Education

•Bachelor’s Degree required.
•2 -3 years of relevant experience

Certifications
•PHR/SPHR preferred
Knowledge and Skills
•General knowledge of employment law and general human resources issues.
•General knowledge of laws regarding public accommodations.
•Excellent analytical and decision making skills.
•Excellent written and oral communication skills.
•Strong listening skills.
•Strong interpersonal skills such as mediation, negotiation and listening in conflict situations.
•Strong presentation skills.
•Excellent computer skills.
•Excellent organizational skills.
•Strong project management skills including multi-tasking and prioritizing to produce a solid work product.

Environment and Working 

•Hybrid work environment, mix of onsite and remote work.
•Travel 5%

NOTE: Racism, either overt or perpetuated through unconscious bias, has no place at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, and both our Mission and People Promise are firmly rooted in the principle of valuing what everyone brings to the table. Our employees work hard to ensure that our brand, which is grounded in genuine hospitality and nostalgia, represents only what is good about those things. While our décor and food may harken back to earlier times, our inclusive culture and beliefs about equality and diversity do not.