At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employee relations, manage complex cases, and promote a compassionate workplace culture.
- Company: Join the NHS, a vital organisation dedicated to improving health and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to influence positive change in the NHS.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in employee experiences within a supportive and dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: CIPD qualified with extensive employee relations experience in complex organisations.
Directorate: Corporate
Department: Human Resources and Organisational Development
Reporting to: Head of Employee Relations
Responsible for: Senior Employee Relations Advisers
Employment type: Contract
Working arrangement: Hybrid (3 days on-site)
Hourly rate: £26.16
Location: Croydon
Start date: ASAP
About the role
We are seeking an experienced Employee Relations Manager to join a complex NHS organisation in Croydon. Working with the Head of Employee Relations, you will lead a professional service, oversee complex casework and ensure investigations are fair, consistent and completed on time. You will promote early resolution, advise managers, manage the Employee Relations team and improve case quality, performance and NHS staff experience.
Main responsibilities
- Employee relations and case management
- Lead complex disciplinary, grievance, dignity at work, bullying and harassment, and capability cases
- Provide expert advice in line with NHS policies, employment law, ACAS guidance and best practice
- Manage complex investigations, hearings, appeals and formal processes
- Ensure investigations are thorough, evidence-based and completed on time
- Oversee investigation reports and hearing documentation
- Support managers presenting cases and advise hearing chairs and panels
- Identify and escalate procedural, evidential and organisational risks
- Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive employee relations information
- Liaise with external legal advisers on legal and Employment Tribunal matters
- Build effective relationships with Trade Unions and senior stakeholders
- Team leadership
- Line-manage and develop Senior Employee Relations Advisers
- Set quality standards, allocate work fairly and monitor performance
- Track case progress, quality and completion times
- Keep the employee relations case-management system accurate and current
- Coordinate service cover and promote early, compassionate resolution
- Policy, training and service development
- Draft, review and implement policies in line with NHS Terms and Conditions, employment law and best practice
- Develop guidance, templates and tools for managers and employees
- Design and deliver employee relations training for NHS managers
- Maintain intranet guidance and resources
- Promote fair treatment and a compassionate employee relations culture
- Capture lessons learned and implement service improvements
- Lead or support employee relations projects
- Data, reporting and assurance
- Analyse employee relations data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities
- Produce KPI and performance reports for senior management
- Monitor case timelines, outcomes and disparities relating to protected characteristics
- Develop action plans where concerns or inequalities are identified
- Support Freedom of Information and Subject Access Requests within required timescales
- General responsibilities
- Deputise for the Head of Employee Relations
- Work independently and manage competing priorities
- Support junior colleagues and the wider NHS HR team
- Maintain current knowledge of employment law and NHS HR practice
- Complete appraisal, professional development and mandatory training requirements
Person specification
Essential qualifications and experience
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent
- CIPD qualified and registered
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Extensive employee relations experience within the NHS or another complex organisation
- Experience managing complex investigations, hearings and sensitive people matters
- Experience in a multidisciplinary and unionised environment
- Experience advising senior managers and influencing stakeholders
- Experience developing policies and delivering employee relations training
- Experience managing and developing a team
Essential knowledge and skills
- Strong knowledge of employee relations, employment law and HR best practice
- Ability to interpret and apply employment law in complex cases
- Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills
- Confidence handling conflict and emotionally sensitive situations
- Strong planning, prioritisation and independent decision-making skills
- Ability to analyse data and present findings clearly
- Good Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills
- Experience using the NHS Electronic Staff Record or a comparable HR system
Desirable
- Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law or equivalent
- Previous NHS experience
- PRINCE2 or another relevant project-management qualification
Important Information
- Applicants must be UK residents
- No visa sponsorship is available for this role
- This role is hybrid, requiring three days on-site each week, with no fully remote option
Employee Relations Manager (National Health Service) in Croydon employer: Salt
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Manager (National Health Service) in Croydon
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Salt!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Salt.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Manager (National Health Service) in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Salt. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Salt and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Salt. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Salt's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Salt
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Salt.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Salt will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Salt and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
