Human Resources Manager Worthwhile Hospitality | Carlsbad, CA | Full-Time, On-Site/Hybrid About Us Worthwhile Hospitality operates four distinct and celebrated restaurant concepts in Carlsbad, CA [Campfire, Jeune et Jolie, Wildland, Lilo] committed to great food and drink, warm hospitality, genuine service, and a workplace where people want to build a career. As we grow, we're looking for an HR Manager to be the people-first partner our restaurant leaders and teams can count on. Position Summary The HR Manager will oversee human resources functions across all four Worthwhile Hospitality restaurants, serving as the primary point of contact for recruitment, onboarding, HR compliance training, employee relations, compliance, and HR administration. This role requires strong, current knowledge of California employment law, as compliance in this area is one of the most critical parts of the job. The HR Manager partners closely with General Managers and ownership to build strong teams, maintain a positive culture, and keep the company compliant and organized as it scales. What You'll Do Recruitment & Onboarding Lead full-cycle recruitment for salaried and hourly positions across all four locations Own the HR portion of new-hire onboarding, including in-person classroom sessions covering employment policies, benefits enrollment, wage and hour basics, and required compliance training Schedule and lead recurring HR onboarding sessions so every new employee — across all four locations — completes consistent, required HR training Develop and maintain HR onboarding materials (policy overviews, benefits guides, compliance training content) and keep them current Track completion of HR-related onboarding requirements for every new hire

Note:

culture orientation, brand standards, and role-specific/job skills training remain the responsibility of General Managers and department leads; the HR Manager's onboarding role is limited to HR, policy, and compliance content HR Training & Compliance Plan and facilitate required HR compliance training for existing staff, including harassment prevention (SB 1343), workplace policy updates, and other legally mandated training Partner with General Managers to schedule and coordinate HR training sessions around restaurant operations Track and maintain records of completed HR/compliance training for all employees and supervisors Coach managers on their HR-related responsibilities (e.g., proper documentation, escalation procedures) — distinct from operational or brand training, which managers own independently Employee Relations & Compliance Serve as a trusted advisor to restaurant managers on employee relations, conflict resolution, and performance management Maintain personnel files, HR systems, and reporting accuracy across locations Ensure full compliance with California and federal labor law, including meal and rest break requirements, split-shift premiums, reporting-time pay, final paycheck timing rules, and California-specific wage statement requirements Stay current on California leave laws (CFRA, paid sick leave, pregnancy disability leave) and ensure proper administration Ensure compliance with California harassment prevention training requirements (SB 1343) and timely completion tracking for all employees and supervisors Develop and maintain HR policies and the employee handbook in accordance with California law Partner with payroll and benefits administration to ensure accurate wage statements and compliance with CA pay transparency requirements Handle investigations, disciplinary actions, and terminations in strict accordance with California law and company policy Coordinate with outside employment counsel as needed on complex employee relations matters, investigations, policy questions, or compliance issues — escalating and managing communication with attorneys when a situation requires legal guidance Champion employee engagement, recognition, and retention initiatives Travel regularly between the four restaurant locations What We're Looking For Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (preferred but not required with equivalent experience) 3-5+ years of progressive HR experience; restaurant, hospitality, or multi-unit retail experience strongly preferred Demonstrated, hands-on experience applying California employment law — this is a required qualification, not a preference. Candidates should be able to speak specifically to experience with CA meal/rest break compliance, wage and hour rules, leave administration, and harassment prevention requirements Experience designing and leading in-person HR/compliance training sessions — comfort speaking to and facilitating groups is essential Experience working directly with employment attorneys on investigations, policy review, or compliance matters

PHR/SHRM-CP

certification a plus, especially with a California employment law focus Experience with HRIS/payroll systems (California-compliant systems preferred) Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills Ability to work independently, prioritize across multiple locations, and build trust with hourly and salaried staff alike Comfortable in a fast-paced, hands-on environment (this isn't a purely corporate desk role) What We Offer Competitive salary Health/PTO/Dining Discounts/Community The chance to shape HR practices at a growing hospitality company

Pay:

$90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Health insurance Paid time off Relocation assistance

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Carlsbad, CA 92008