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Employee Relations Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Employee Relations Specialist plays a critical role in promoting a positive and fair workplace culture, ensuring both consistency and compliance when handling employee relations matters. This ...

The Employee Relations Specialist plays a critical role in promoting a positive and fair workplace culture, ensuring both consistency and compliance when handling employee relations matters. This ...

The Employee Relations Specialist plays a critical role in promoting a positive and fair workplace culture, ensuring both consistency and compliance when handling employee relations matters. This ...

The Employee Relations Specialist plays a critical role in promoting a positive and fair workplace culture, ensuring both consistency and compliance when handling employee relations matters. This ...

Employee Relations Specialist Location: Reston, VA 20190 Duration: 12 Months Job Type: Contract Work Type: Hybrid * As an Employee Relations (ER) Specialist at client, you will play a key role in ...

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Employee Relations information

See Virginia salary details

$19.3K

$63.5K

$109.6K

How much do employee relations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for employee relations in Virginia is $63,526.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,200.00 and $80,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Employee Relations vs HR Generalist?

AspectEmployee RelationsHR Generalist
Primary FocusManaging employee relationships, conflict resolution, and workplace cultureHandling a broad range of HR functions including recruitment, onboarding, and compliance
Required CredentialsTypically HR certification or related experienceHR certification or degree often preferred
Work EnvironmentEmployee-focused, often within HR teamsVaried, covering multiple HR functions across departments
Industry UsageCommon in organizations emphasizing employee engagementWidely used across industries for general HR duties

While both roles are part of HR, Employee Relations specializes in maintaining positive employee relationships and resolving workplace issues. HR Generalists handle a broader range of HR tasks, including recruitment and compliance. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and professionals to each area.

What is the highest paid HR job?

The highest paid HR roles are typically HR Directors or Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs), who oversee organizational HR strategies and policies. These positions often require extensive experience, strategic leadership skills, and may involve managing large teams or budgets, with salaries reaching into six figures or higher depending on the company size and industry.

What Is an Employee Relations Job?

An employee relations job is an HR position in which you manage interactions between HR and employees. Your responsibilities include training new employees about various aspects of the workplace culture, such as specific procedures, and how to find support during difficult times and helping them learn how to take advantage of company policies about grievances, promotions, and benefits. Your duties include leading training sessions, working closely with other HR professionals who support your efforts by developing new policies, reviewing company guidelines, and ensuring workers understand their rights and benefits.

How does an Employee Relations specialist typically collaborate with HR and management to resolve workplace conflicts?

Employee Relations specialists work closely with HR teams and management to address workplace issues such as conflicts, grievances, and disciplinary matters. They often act as mediators, facilitating open communication between employees and supervisors to ensure fair and consistent application of company policies. In addition, they may lead investigations, recommend solutions, and support managers in implementing corrective actions. This collaboration helps maintain a positive work environment and ensures compliance with labor laws and organizational standards.

What is employee relations?

Employee relations refers to the efforts an organization makes to manage relationships between employers and employees. This includes resolving workplace conflicts, ensuring compliance with labor laws, improving communication, and fostering a positive work environment. The goal is to create a productive, fair, and respectful workplace where employees feel valued and engaged. Professionals in employee relations often handle grievances, mediate disputes, and develop policies that support both organizational objectives and employee well-being.

What's the difference between HR and employee relations?

Employee relations is a subset of human resources (HR) focused on maintaining positive relationships between employees and the organization, handling issues like conflict resolution and employee engagement. HR encompasses a broader range of functions, including recruitment, compliance, benefits administration, and policy development, often using tools like HRIS systems. Both roles require strong communication and conflict management skills, but HR professionals typically oversee the entire employee lifecycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Employee Relations Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Employee Relations Specialist, you need a solid understanding of labor laws, conflict resolution, and HR policies, often supported by a degree in human resources or a related field. Familiarity with HR information systems (HRIS), case management tools, and sometimes certifications like SHRM-CP or PHR are commonly required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills set standout professionals apart in this role. These skills are vital for fostering a positive workplace environment, ensuring legal compliance, and effectively resolving employee issues.

What does an employee relations job do?

An employee relations job involves managing the relationship between an organization and its employees, addressing workplace issues, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and promoting a positive work environment. Professionals in this role often handle conflict resolution, conduct investigations, and develop policies to improve employee engagement and satisfaction.

What not to disclose to HR?

Employee Relations professionals should not disclose confidential or sensitive information about colleagues, company strategies, or personal employee details unless legally required. It is also inappropriate to share false or unverified information, or to discuss issues outside the scope of employment or HR responsibilities. Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism is essential in HR roles to protect employee privacy and organizational integrity.
What are the most commonly searched types of Employee Relations jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Employee Relations jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Employee Relations jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Employee Relations job openings:
Infographic showing various Employee Relations job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,526 per year, or $30.5 per hour.

Employee Relations Specialist

VHC Health

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 14 days ago


VHC Health rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

106th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Position Title
Employee Relations Specialist
Job Description
Purpose & Scope:
The Employee Relations Specialist plays a critical role in promoting a positive and fair workplace culture, ensuring both consistency and compliance when handling employee relations matters. This position is key to aligning employee relations strategies with the organization's goals by managing employee concerns, fostering communication between employees and leadership, and ensuring adherence to labor laws and company policies. Acting as a liaison between employees, management, and HR, the ER Specialist enhances workplace dynamics by resolving issues and promoting equitable treatment across the organization. This position requires a balance of independent decision-making, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex situations with flexibility and creativity. The ER Specialist actively seeks to improve workplace relationships, increase employee engagement, and support the organization's overall success.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field preferred.
Experience:
3-4 years of experience in employee relations, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution.
Certification/Licensure:
None required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • In-depth knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements concerning employee relations and federal, state, and local employment laws.
  • Strong influencing skills with the ability to navigate complex situations and drive business outcomes, especially in areas with unclear ownership or shared accountability.
  • Ability to provide coaching and meaningful insights while remaining open-minded and avoiding hasty judgments.
  • Capable of working independently with minimal supervision, navigating ambiguity, and overcoming obstacles to achieve effective outcomes.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Job Description
At VHC Health, every role contributes to exceptional care, better outcomes, and stronger communities.
\nIn addition to your base compensation, VHC Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage (subject to eligibility requirements), as well as additional wellness and retirement benefits designed to support our employees and their families.
\nVHC Health is committed to wage transparency and equitable pay practices. The compensation offered for this position-whether expressed as an annual salary or hourly rate-is determined based on a variety of legitimate, non-discriminatory factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, a candidate's qualifications, relevant training and experience, skill level, shift differentials (where applicable), internal equity, and current market conditions.
\nThe posted hiring range reflects the range VHC Health, in good faith, believes is appropriate for this role at the time of posting. This range may be adjusted in the future based on business needs or market changes. No portion of compensation is considered earned until it is vested and determined in accordance with the terms of applicable policies and benefit plans. The availability and amount of any bonuses, incentives, or other benefits are subject to the terms of those plans and may be modified at the sole discretion of VHC Health, in accordance with applicable law.
\nVHC Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.
\nVHC Health maintains a drug-free workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited at all VHC Health locations.

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