Employee Relations Advisor FT 35hrs p/w in London

LOCATION: Dual Site Role Based at both Head Office, Moorgate, London & Biggleswade Warehouse

CONTRACT: Permanent, Full-Time

HOURS: 35 hours over 5 days per week

SHIFT PATTERN: Monday - Friday

SALARY: Starting at £30,000 per annum

JOB OVERVIEW

Based between our warehouse in central Bedfordshire and our London head office, our Employee Relations Advisor will be the go-to person for first-line ER queries from our warehouse and retail teams. You’ll thrive in being hands-on and will play an important role in supporting our people, while also helping to manage the day-to-day administration of our HR systems (HRIS) and assisting the People Partner and Head of HR with policy development and updates. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys being part of a small, close-knit HR team, working in a business with a flat structure where every voice counts. We’re looking for someone who can get to know the business quickly, build strong relationships, and contribute to existing working practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Warehouse

• Trusted first point of contact for managers and staff on all employee relations (ER) matters – offering clear, practical advice and escalating to the HR Partner or Head of HR when needed.
• Support the management team with people-related admin and help ensure a smooth onboarding and offboarding experience for warehouse team members.
• Coach and guide managers through formal processes such as investigations, disciplinaries, grievances, and flexible working requests – making sure everything’s handled fairly and in line with legislative and procedural requirements.
• Get involved in recruitment: posting vacancies through our ATS, liaising with agencies, and supporting hiring managers along the way.
• Stay connected with the team through an open-door approach and regular check-ins – spotting potential ER issues early and helping prevent escalation.
• Support the management team to monitor performance and address any concerns both during and after the probation period.
• Build strong, trusted relationships across the warehouse – through timely responses, open conversations, and transparent processes.
• Become our in-house expert on the Time & Attendance system, ensuring accurate payroll reporting and finding ways to get the most out of the software.
• Act as the first point of contact for payroll queries, escalating when needed.
• Use data to spot trends in sickness or turnover and make recommendations to the Warehouse Manager, HR Partner, and Head of HR on how to reduce persistent short-term sickness or improve unwanted turnover.

• As part of the wider HR team, act as a point of contact for day to day queries (for example, AWOL, performance/ capability discussions, posting job adverts). Escalate to the HR Partner/ Head of HR when necessary.
• Administrative support for new starters, contract variations and leavers.
• Provide notetaking support for formal meetings (in-person or virtually, dependant on location).

• Manage the shared HR inbox – responding to queries where possible and redirecting where needed.
• Keep employee data accurate and up to date in the HRIS.
• Support the ongoing development of HRIS capability to automate admin processes, reducing workload for the HR team and line managers.
• Support the HR Partner with responses to ONS surveys.
• Manage reference requests for all new starters in the warehouse and retail stores.
• Support the HR partner and Head of HR with ongoing projects and policy development.

Please note: this list isn’t exhaustive — we’re a hands-on team, and sometimes you’ll need to pitch in on other areas to help keep things running smoothly!

SKILLS & KNOW-HOW

• Solid HR experience within retail (warehouse experience is a bonus, but not essential).
• Background in an owner-led business would be ideal.
• Able to balance the ideal with the realistic — understanding when to make a sensible, pragmatic call.
• Confident making commercial decisions and understands when a calculated risk is the best outcome for the business.
• CIPD qualified (or working towards it) is great, but hands-on experience counts just as much.
• Strong influencing and relationship-building skills — you know how to challenge constructively and earn respect.
• Great listener, well-organised, and excellent at managing your time.
• Intermediate + user of MS Office (Outlook, Word & Excel).
• Highly numerate.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Understands the status quo and when it is appropriate to challenge this.

BEHAVIOURS

• Passionate about the Apricot brand and the fashion industry; a true brand ambassador.
• Delivers results in a timely manner.
• Remains calm under pressure, even when priorities shift.
• Able to self-manage and happy to take the initiative.
• Relentlessly looks to improve working processes and practices with a commercial approach.
• Resilient and tenacious, remaining positive in the face of challenge or adversity.
• Accountable – focussed on finding solutions, not placing blame.
• Curious and resourceful and ready to learn when you don’t have all the answers.

Benefits:

• Free On-site parking at the Biggleswade Warehouse.
• Free snacks and fruit.
• Staff discount.

If you need any adjustments made during the recruitment and interview process do let us know. Good Luck!