GENERAL SUMMARY

The HR Generalist is responsible for supporting and managing a broad range of human resources functions with a primary focus on employee relations, investigations, leave management (including FMLA), accommodations, workers’ compensation, safety programs, and overall employee experience. This role will provide comprehensive HR support across multiple areas, including onboarding, orientation, benefits, offboarding, policy development, HRIS data accuracy, personnel file management, and administrative functions related to safety programs. The HR Generalist will serve as a key point of contact for employee relations concerns, lead investigations, track leave and workers’ compensation cases, and develop initiatives aimed at enhancing employee engagement and reducing turnover. This position plays an integral role in supporting day-to-day HR operations while collaborating with leadership to drive compliance, consistency, and positive workplace culture.
The HR Generalist is expected to operate with the highest level of professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality, always safeguarding sensitive company and employee information. This role will engage employees and leaders across all levels of the organization and demonstrate strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent the HR department and the company in a polished and professional manner.
This is full-time position is based out of our Darien, IL center with an expectation of travel between Illinois By Your Side centers and responsibility for providing remote HR support to all BYS locations in Georgia, and Colorado. Regular in-person presence at the Illinois centers is required on a rotating basis to support new hire orientations, conduct investigations, lead safety trainings, investigate and manage workers’ compensation cases and safety programs, and collaborate with Center Directors and leadership teams. After initial training, consideration will be given to a hybrid based model one to two days per week. Flexibility in work hours and locations is expected based on business needs. This is a hands-on role, actively contributing to HR initiatives, supporting employees and leadership, and driving the success of key HR projects and organizational goals.

REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• 1 - 3+ years’ experience in an HR Generalist or equivalent role, 3-5 years overall HR resource role preferred
• 1- 3+ years’ experience with owning and performing full orientation, onboarding, offboarding a PLUS.
• 1- 3+ years of full hands-on Employee Relation experience required, including investigations, documentation and follow up to close cases with integrity.
• 1-3+ years HR Helpdesk responding to employee and leadership inquiries with regards to all areas and aspects of the employee experience and elevating the Employer Value Proposition to attract, retain and develop talent.
• Working knowledge of payroll and HRIS, HCM systems.
• Must be able to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information. Experience handling such information is required.
• Must have a high level of initiative and be able to work effectively without constant, direct supervision.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment with multiple changing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, execute deadlines and produce high-quality deliverables with great attention to detail.
• Must possess strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Interested in career development, skills growth, and eager learner with self-driven initiative to implement skills elevation, analytical ability, strategic partnering and use of AI and scaling to drive business outcomes
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, execute deadlines and produce high quality deliverables with attention to details.
• Must be a quick learner and tech savvy, ability to adopt new software and HR platforms rapidly
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office Products, including data entry, data analytics, communication tools and payroll and human resources software.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel as needed for the role including out of state locations.
• Attendance and reliability are critical to performing the role.
• Uphold and maintain BYS core principles, policies and procedures. Strong understanding of employment law including FMLA, ADA, Workmans Compensation
• Excellent oral and written communication and strong organizational skills
• Ability to handle confidential information is a MUST
• Attention to detail, ability to handle multiple projects and effectively prioritize

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s degree and PHR/SHRM-CP with full 360 Generalist experience given strong preference OR minimum of Associates degree and HR certificate program, aPHR strongly preferred, with role-based experience in a full HR Generalist capacity (minimum 3 years as HR Generalist)
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Management, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience) highly preferred
• 3+ years of experience in Human Resources, particularly with Workman’s Compensation, Safety, Engagement, Metrics along with strong Leave and Accommodation handling, and advanced Employee Relations including investigations

Environmental conditions/physical requirements: (with or without accomodations)

• Extended periods of sitting with occasional walking, standing, light lifting and bending.
• Extensive keyboarding and screen/monitor use throughout the workday
• Will work extensively in typical office building environments
• Some work will be performed in a hybrid home office environment
• The ability to sit, stand, walk and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone to talk and hear.
• The ability to frequently sit and reach with hands and arms.
• The ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Core duties and responsibilities:

• Support HRC Team with all onboarding activities for new hires including orientation bi-weekly as needed, and cross departmental communication to support a smooth New Hire experience
• Investigate, follow up and resolve all employee relations issues and fully document investigations. Supports all Employee Inquiries via HR Help Desk to improve Employee Experience and ensure a positive work environment
• Works with HR Team to follow up with employees on accommodation requests, process accommodation request paperwork, and coordinate with the HR Managers as needed.
• Generating official internal communications such as FMLA documentation and Leave claims, and any status changes, as required to support HR transactions and ensure HR data integrity.
• Owns the Workmen’s Compensation process, injury investigations, reporting, case monitoring and communications. Educate leadership and employees on Workplace Safety and supports safety measures throughout all company sites and centers. Works with employees, leadership and any work restrictions to achieve back to work status and close workplace injury cases with the intention of future prevention. Supports any accommodation or leave requests activity in conjunction with HR team.
• Completing various tasks on the termination checklist, including conducting stay and exit interviews. Compiles data and analytics to bring useful insight to the business to improve employee experience and retention.
• Supports HR Coordinator team with preparing all anniversary certificates, keeping track of gifts and preparing updates, and assisting with distribution.
• Perform various administrative and clerical functions for the HR Department, including, but not limited to, unemployment claims, Employee verifications, HR and Health emails, reviewing scans, faxing, copying, printing, data entry, maintaining, creating and organizing files, databases, coordinating training programs, updating reports, etc.
• Assist the HR team with various projects to achieve efficiency, streamline and modernize HR functionality to support team and business growth objectives.
• The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Uphold and maintain BYS core principles, policies, and procedures.
• Must maintain the utmost confidentiality in all matters, always maintain professionalism in interactions with employees and leadership. The HR Generalist is expected to protect confidential data for employees at all levels.
• Work closely with business stakeholders to understand company strategy, create actionable HR Metrics, and keep HR reporting aligned with business needs.
• Facilitate key people-related processes, including onboarding, leave of absence management, accommodations, employee data maintenance, and engagement initiatives.
• Manage and resolve employee relations matters, conduct investigations, and promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Conduct training for employees and managers on HR-related topics, including development activity, performance management, and compliance.
• Other duties and/or Special projects may be assigned.