Employee Relations Specialist

Job title: Employee Relations Case AdvisorLocation: CroydonContract length: 4 monthsPay rate: £20 per hourThe client:My client provides integrated NHS services to care for people at home, in schools, and health clinics across the borough as well as at Croydon University Hospital and Purley War Memorial Hospital. They provide more than 100 specialist services and is home to the borough’s only Emergency Department and 24/7 maternity services, including a labour ward, midwifery-led birth centre and the Crocus home birthing team. Their experienced staff take care of people of all ages across the borough of Croydon. They are a very close-knit and friendly organisation where everyone of our 3600 members of staff is valued. They strongly believe that their employees are their greatest asset. Role Summary:The post holder is responsible for the management of Employee Relations Cases supporting Managers and individuals in the Trust’s policy and process to deliver a professional and legally safe HR service. In addition to this, you will play an integral role in delivering a comprehensive, high quality and pro-active educational and operational employee relations advisory and support service to managers and staff within the Trust.Role Responsibilities:Establish strong working relationships with managers in assigned directorate teams to support the employee relations and management upskilling requirements within the service.Provide first point of contact HR advice and support to the designated directorate/team to support and encourage early resolution of employee relations issues when raised ensuring that the risk associated with such cases are effectively managed seeking advice and support from the Head of Strategic Employee Relations as appropriate and including: - Management of Sickness Absence Disciplinary Grievance Harassment and Bullying Performance management – capability Investigations best practice Employment Tribunal preparation To utilise existing national resources and tools as much as possible to support the Head of Strategic Employee Relations to deliver a restorative approach to employee relations. To evaluate the effectiveness and impact of employee relations initiatives and interventions with regular engagement sessions for staff. Support the Head of Strategic Employee Relations to develop a restorative approach to employee relations To work in partnership as appropriate with the Trust’s recognised trade unions and their representatives and Regional Officers in resolving staffing issues or other joint working projects. Support the Head of Strategic Employee Relations through the development, evaluation/assurance and provision of HR advice and any employee relations programmes and interventions that promote a values driven Trust with accountable and empowered managers and staff. Work proactively in raising staff management skills of line managers through the preparation, design and facilitation of HR management briefing sessions in conjunction with all HR Advisor peers across both Trusts to ensure that consistent message and process is applied to all staff in line with agreed policies. Briefing and training sessions to be scheduled to run throughout the year. Experience/Skills Required:Demonstrable experience of providing a wide range of operational employee relations services to staff at all levels Demonstrable experience of designing and facilitating management training/briefing sessions on HR policies and procedures and management of staff Able to review and update HR policies and procedures in line with changes to employment law, Trust values and/or case law as required Understanding and experience of job evaluation processesDemonstrable knowledge of working at a senior HR/ER level within a complex unionised environment Up to date knowledge of employment law, ACAS Codes of Good Practice and their practical application in a unionised environment Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and negotiate with managers and staff to enable the provision of an effective and efficient ER service within the Trust Ability to analyse and problem solve from complex information and communicate with managers and staff to assist in determining informed decisions Familiar with electronic HR reporting and recording systems and producing reports as required