Employee Relations Specialist

Interim Employee Relations Specialist 12 months, Yeovil, Full Time (or 4 days compressed)

£40,000–£45,000

Are you an experienced HR professional with a strong background in Employee Relations?

Do you enjoy working closely with managers, providing practical HR advice and helping organisations navigate complex people matters?

We are recruiting an Employee Relations Specialist for an established organisation based in Somerset. This is a varied, hands-on HR role with a strong focus on employee relations, employment law, absence management and HR compliance, alongside involvement in wider people initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR Advisor, Employee Relations Advisor, ER Specialist or HR Generalist looking for a role where they can make a genuine impact.

The role offers the flexibility to work from home one day per week and for the right candidate compressed hours over 4 days.

About the Role

Reporting to the HR Director, you will provide trusted HR advice across the organisation, working closely with managers and employees to ensure employee relations matters are managed fairly, consistently and in line with employment legislation and company policy.

You will take ownership of a varied ER caseload while also contributing to wider HR activity, employee engagement and people projects.

Your responsibilities will include:

- Managing a varied Employee Relations caseload, ensuring cases are progressed efficiently and effectively.

- Providing managers with practical advice and guidance on employment law, HR policies and employee relations.

- Leading disciplinary and grievance investigations and hearings.

-Supporting managers with capability, performance management and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs).

-Managing absence cases, including long-term absence and liaison with Occupational Health.

- Leading HR meetings including probation reviews, flexible working requests, maternity meetings and other employee-related meetings.

- Keeping up to date with changes in UK employment law and recommending changes to policies and processes where required.

- Supporting employee engagement activity, including employee surveys, action planning and wellbeing initiatives.

- Conducting exit interviews and identifying trends and recommendations to support employee retention.

- Providing HR input into wider business and people strategy.

- Supporting the organisation with HR audits, ethical compliance and employment standards.

- Ensuring accurate and compliant employee records are maintained across HR systems.

- Supporting regular payroll processing and benefits administration.

- Working with recruitment agencies and supporting recruitment activity, including advertising, interview coordination, offers and right to work checks.

- Supporting health and wellbeing initiatives and following up employee welfare matters where appropriate.

- Contributing to HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

- Acting as a key user of the HR system and supporting the wider HR team as required.

About You

We are looking for an experienced HR professional who is confident handling employee relations matters and providing sound, practical advice to managers.

You will ideally have:

- Previous experience in an HR Advisor, Employee Relations Advisor, Employee Relations Specialist, HR Generalist or HR Business Partner position.

- Strong experience managing disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence cases.

- A good working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.

- Experience providing HR advice and coaching to managers.

- Experience working within a fast-paced operational, manufacturing, production or blue-collar environment would be advantageous.

- Experience supporting or leading HR projects and employee engagement initiatives.

- Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage a varied caseload and prioritise effectively.

- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to work with people at all levels.

- A professional, approachable and solutions-focused manner.

- The ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

- CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent HR experience. CIPD Level 7 would be advantageous.

The role would suit someone who enjoys being hands-on, visible and approachable, and who can balance the needs of employees with the commercial requirements of the business. Please note this is a 12 month interim role to cover maternity. 

If you're an experienced Employee Relations Specialist, HR Advisor or HR Generalist looking for your next opportunity, we'd love to hear from you. Forward your CV to Carly Kellow quoting ref: CK11234.

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