SSCP Management - Corporate

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Job Profile California HR Compliance & Employee Relations Manager Position Summary The California HR Compliance & Employee Relations Manager serves as the company's subject matter expert on California employment law and provides strategic HR support to restaurant operations across Applebee's and Corner Bakery locations in California. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with California labor and employment laws, reducing legal and financial risk, leading employee relations investigations, partnering with operations leaders on complex employment matters, and driving proactive compliance initiatives. The successful candidate will work closely with Operations, Legal, Payroll, Risk Management, and Human Resources to build a culture of compliance while supporting business objectives and protecting the organization from employment-related risk. Essential Responsibilities California Employment Law Compliance • Serve as the organization's primary California labor and employment law expert. • Monitor changes in California employment laws and regulations and recommend policy and operational updates. • Ensure compliance with California Wage Orders, meal and rest break requirements, overtime regulations, final pay requirements, paid sick leave, leave laws, expense reimbursement, and other employment regulations. • Partner with Payroll to ensure accurate wage and hour practices. • Conduct regular compliance audits and recommend corrective actions. Employee Relations • Conduct complex workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour concerns, policy violations, and employee complaints. • Partner with Operations leaders to resolve employee relations issues promptly and effectively. • Review disciplinary actions, performance management documentation, and termination recommendations for legal compliance and consistency. • Provide guidance to managers regarding appropriate employment decisions and documentation. Wage & Hour Compliance • Audit timekeeping records and identify potential compliance concerns. • Monitor meal and rest break compliance. • Review missed meal premiums and payroll corrections. • Identify trends that may increase exposure to wage and hour litigation. • Recommend operational improvements to reduce risk. Litigation Prevention & Risk Management • Partner with internal and external employment counsel on claims, agency charges, and litigation. • Assist in responding to complaints filed with state and federal agencies. • Identify operational trends that could result in PAGA, class action, or employment litigation. • Develop proactive solutions to reduce organizational risk. Training & Development Develop and facilitate training programs for field leadership on: • California employment laws • Wage and hour compliance • Meal and rest break requirements • Documentation best practices • Performance management • Harassment prevention • Leave administration • Employee investigations • Workplace professionalism Operational Partnership Serve as a trusted business partner to: • Vice Presidents of Operations • Directors of Operations • General Managers • Human Resources • Payroll • Risk Management • Legal Provide practical guidance that balances operational needs with legal compliance. Compliance Audits Conduct periodic audits including: • Timekeeping • Payroll practices • Personnel files • Documentation • Scheduling practices • Leave administration • Final pay processing • Manager compliance Provide recommendations and follow-up to ensure corrective actions are completed. Reporting & Analytics Develop reports and dashboards to monitor: • Wage and hour compliance • Employee relations trends • Investigation outcomes • Legal claims • Training completion • High-risk locations • Corrective action trends • Audit findings Use data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required. Professional certifications such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or California employment law certification are preferred. Experience • Seven or more years of progressive Human Resources experience. • Minimum five years supporting California employment law compliance. • Multi-unit restaurant, hospitality, retail, or service industry experience strongly preferred. • Experience conducting complex employee relations investigations. • Experience partnering with employment attorneys. • Experience managing wage and hour compliance. • Experience supporting field operations. Knowledge Demonstrated expertise in: • California Labor Code • California Wage Orders • PAGA • FEHA • CFRA • FMLA • ADA • Paid Sick Leave • Final Pay requirements • Meal and Rest Break regulations • Overtime and Double Time rules • Timekeeping compliance • Arbitration agreements • Employee investigations • Performance management • Employment documentation Competencies • Exceptional judgment and decision-making • Strong analytical skills • Excellent investigative abilities • Outstanding written and verbal communication • Ability to influence leaders without direct authority • Strong relationship-building skills • High level of integrity and confidentiality • Effective conflict resolution skills • Excellent organizational and project management abilities Travel Approximately 30–40% travel throughout California to support restaurant operations, conduct investigations, facilitate training, and perform compliance audits. Success Measures Success in this role will be measured by: • Reduction in California wage and hour violations • Reduction in employment claims and litigation • Improved compliance audit results • Timely completion of investigations • Increased manager compliance with employment policies • Improved documentation quality • Reduction in payroll-related compliance issues • Strong partnership and satisfaction with Operations leadership Pay: $120,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year Benefits: • 401(k) • 401(k) matching • Dental insurance • Employee assistance program • Employee discount • Flexible schedule • Flexible spending account • Health insurance • Health savings account • Life insurance • Paid time off • Professional development assistance • Retirement plan • Vision insurance Application Question(s): • How many years of experience do you have supporting California employment law compliance? • Have you independently conducted complex workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or wage and hour complaints? • Which of the following areas have you managed in California? (list all that apply.) Wage & hour compliance Meal and rest break compliance Employee relations investigations PAGA risk management FEHA/CFRA/FMLA/ADA administration Final pay compliance Payroll compliance audits Manager training on California employment laws • Do you have experience supporting multi-unit restaurant, hospitality, retail, or other service industry operations? Work Location: Hybrid remote in Dallas, TX 75240