Staff Relations Specialist

$70,000 - $80,000 / Year

Eligible for a hybrid work schedule split between home & office, with a minimum of 3 days in the office each week.

The Staff Relations Specialist supports a positive, inclusive, and compliant workplace by managing employee relations matters and workplace accommodations. This role oversees accommodation cases from intake through resolution, provides guidance to management, and partners with cross-functional teams to identify practical, compliant solutions that support employees’ needs.

The Specialist serves as a subject matter expert on accommodation processes, ensuring consistent application of policies, accurate documentation, and alignment with legal and organizational standards. This role also helps mitigate risk while promoting employee wellbeing and a supportive work environment.

In addition, the Specialist supports our employee assistance program, the HELP Fund.

You’ll thrive in this position if you are:

• A problem-solver: You can analyze complex employee relations issues and recommend effective resolutions.
• Detail-oriented: You ensure investigations and case management are thorough, well-documented, and compliant with policies and laws.
• An excellent communicator: You provide clear guidance to managers, influence without authority, and navigate sensitive conversations with discretion and empathy.
• A culture champion: You embody and promote company values, fostering a respectful and engaging workplace.
• Adaptable: You thrive in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities while maintaining high standards.

ADA / Interactive Process (55%)

• Lead end-to-end accommodation program, including policy ownership
• Review cases and provide determinations aligned with ADA regulations
  Partner with Operations on accommodations and return-to-work planning
• Serve as primary contact for accommodation requests, ensuring a compliant interactive process
• Review medical documentation (HIPAA-compliant) and communicate restrictions and options
• Collaborate with Legal, Benefits, and Risk Services on complex cases
• Track and follow up on accommodations to ensure effectiveness
• Maintain accurate, confidential case documentation
• Train and advise leaders on ADA requirements and best practices

HELP Fund Administration (40%)

• Oversee program operations, including vendor/fiscal sponsor coordination
• Support employees with empathy and guidance during difficult situations
• Manage application flow and recommendations to the committee
• Ensure timely, consistent, and compassionate decision-making
• Prepare quarterly reports, analysis, and projections for leadership
• Drive annual program goals and initiatives

Staff Relations Support (5%)

• Advise employees and managers on policies, leave, and accommodations
• Assist in developing and updating procedures, tools, and resources
• Support team projects, reporting, and compliance efforts

• 3+ years of progressive HR experience with a strong focus on Employee Relations and ADA/interactive process
• Working knowledge of state and federal employment laws with ability to ensure compliance and mitigate risk
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills with the ability to manage complex cases
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence and build relationships across all levels
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and complex situations
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and documentation accuracy
• High level of professionalism, empathy, and interpersonal effectiveness
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook

What we prefer:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Experience developing reports, presentations, and program insights
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)
• PHR/SPHR certification
• Experience in restaurant, retail, or hospitality HR, understanding industry-specific challenges

• Vacation and sick time
• Medical, Dental & Vision
• 401K with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• 25%-35% discount when dining as a guest
• Annual stipend for dining in our restaurants

Named to FORTUNE Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For®” list every year since 2014, The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated is a leader in experiential dining. We are culinary-forward and relentlessly focused on hospitality. Delicious, memorable experiences created by passionate people—this defines who we are and where we are going.

We currently own and operate 353 restaurants throughout the United States and Canada under brands including The Cheesecake Factory®, North Italia®, Flower Child® and a collection of other FRC brands. Internationally, 34 The Cheesecake Factory® restaurants operate under licensing agreements. Our bakery division operates two facilities that produce quality cheesecakes and other baked products for our restaurants, international licensees and third-party bakery customers.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace for all. We welcome applicants from a wide variety of identities, ideas, perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to apply. The Cheesecake Factory offers reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities.

#SoCheesecake #LifeAtCheesecake

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