At a Glance
- Tasks: Support managers with employee relations and ensure a positive workplace culture.
- Company: Join HSL, a family business dedicated to making people feel good for over 50 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy health cash plans, discounts, 30+ days holiday, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with varied responsibilities and a commitment to professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in HR while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or equivalent experience, with strong HR advisory skills.
The predicted salary is between 33000 - 37000 £ per year.
HSL is a proud family business that has been helping people feel good in their furniture for over 50 years. The company is going through a period of rapid growth, but we are still wholeheartedly led by our values. By joining HSL as a People and Culture Advisor, you will be one of the named HR contacts for employee relations across the business. Your work will be varied, meaningful and firmly rooted in supporting managers to do the right thing for their people. This role is primarily to provide hands-on casework support and trusted advice to managers, while reinforcing HSL’s culture and commitment to respect, dignity, and doing the right thing.
The People and Culture Advisor will be visible, approachable, and confident in balancing compassion with robust application of policy and employment law. You’ll gain hands-on experience across a range of HR activities while developing your skills and progressing your career. This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and collaborative organisation where no two days are the same.
About You
- Is a strong People Advisor with a robust background in HR
- Has experience providing first line Employee Relations (ER) advice to managers
- Is comfortable supporting ER cases end-to-end
- Understands employment legislation and applies it pragmatically
- Communicates calmly and professionally, even in challenging situations
- Is organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities
- Builds strong relationships, bringing personality and humour, whilst taking a solutions-focused approach
Our feel-good benefits
- Health cash plan – cashback on dental, optical and more
- Discounted shopping & gym memberships with Westfield Rewards
- Brilliant colleague discount (friends and family too!)
- 30 days' holiday (pro rata), rising to 33 with long service
- Contributory pension and death-in-service cover
- Potential discretionary bonuses
- Free onsite parking (at most locations)
- Lovely surprise & delight events throughout the year
- Career progression pathways
- Commitment to professional development opportunities via internal and external training courses
Key Responsibilities
- Employee Relations & Case Management: Lead on the full lifecycle of ER cases including disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence, performance management, and flexible working. Chair and attend formal ER meetings, ensuring process, documentation, and outcomes reflect HSL’s values and legal obligations. Provide practical, commercially sound HR advice to managers, enabling them to make fair and defensible decisions. Support employees through sensitive situations with professionalism, empathy, and clarity. Prepare outcome letters, investigation summaries, and supporting documentation.
- Operational HR & Governance: Ensure consistent application of HSL HR policies and procedures across the business. Provide feedback to the Head of People on operational HR risks, policy effectiveness, and areas for improvement. Lead end-to-end ER cases including disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence, capability, performance management, and flexible working. Chair and attend formal ER meetings, ensuring consistency, fairness, and legal compliance. Contribute to the review and development of HR policies in line with employment legislation and organisational change. Maintain accurate and confidential HR records in line with GDPR and company standards.
- Stakeholder Relationships: Build strong, trusted relationships with managers and teams, acting as a credible HR presence aligned to HSL’s culture. Promote early, informal resolution of people issues where appropriate. Work collaboratively with the People Systems Lead to ensure ER data is accurately captured and trends are understood.
- Flexibility & Team Support: Actively support the work of the People Systems Lead and wider People Team, undertaking tasks commensurate with the role as required. Demonstrate flexibility to meet business needs during peak ER or organisational change activity. Maintain a clear commitment to ongoing professional development, keeping knowledge of employment law and best practice up to date. Adapt to the evolving needs of a developing People function.
- Values in Practice: Champion HSL’s values by encouraging respectful, inclusive behaviours. Ensure people decisions reflect fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Skills & Experience
- CIPD Level 5 qualified (or working towards), or equivalent practical experience
- 3-5 years’ HR advisory experience
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and ACAS principles
- Proven experience managing complex ER cases independently
People and Culture Advisor in Batley employer: HSL Chairs
HSL is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, making it an ideal place for a People and Culture Advisor. With a strong commitment to its values, HSL fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture, offering generous benefits such as 30 days' holiday, career progression pathways, and a health cash plan. Located in Batley, employees enjoy a vibrant workplace where no two days are the same, alongside opportunities for meaningful engagement and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People and Culture Advisor in Batley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, especially those who work at HSL or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common HR scenarios. Think about how you’d handle employee relations cases and be ready to share your experiences. This will show you’re not just book-smart but also have the practical know-how!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you on their radar and shows you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for the latest job openings and apply directly. We love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect with us through our platform!
We think you need these skills to ace People and Culture Advisor in Batley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. A touch of humour or a personal story can make your application stand out.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application specifically for the People and Culture Advisor role. Highlight your relevant experience in employee relations and how it aligns with HSL’s values. This shows us you’re genuinely interested!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate when candidates communicate effectively, just like we do in our team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at HSL Chairs
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on UK employment law and ACAS principles before the interview. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically, which is crucial for a People and Culture Advisor.
✨Showcase Your ER Experience
Prepare specific examples of your experience managing complex employee relations cases. Think about challenges you've faced and how you resolved them, as this will demonstrate your hands-on capability and problem-solving skills to the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Your People Skills
Since the role requires building strong relationships, be ready to talk about how you’ve successfully collaborated with managers and teams in the past. Highlight instances where your communication and empathy made a difference in resolving issues.
✨Align with HSL’s Values
Familiarise yourself with HSL’s values and think about how you can embody them in your responses. Show that you understand the importance of respect, dignity, and doing the right thing, and be prepared to give examples of how you’ve championed these values in your previous roles.