Employee Relations Assistant in Northampton

Key Accountabilities

As an Employee Relations Assistant, you will provide administrative and case‑work support to the HR Advisory team, assisting with the effective management of straightforward employee matters and ensuring processes are handled efficiently, consistently and in line with firm policy.

Employee Relations Case Support

• Support the management of lower‑risk ER matters in line with firm policies, including:
• Sickness absence management (tracking, return‑to‑work support)
• Non‑compliance of mandatory training
• Phishing incidents and security policy breaches
• DSE assessments and workplace adjustments
• Provide initial guidance to managers on straightforward ER queries, escalating more complex issues to the ER Advisor or HR Advisor.
• Ensure all matters are progressed in a timely, accurate and well‑organised manner, with clear documentation maintained throughout each case lifecycle.

Case Coordination & Administrative Support

• Assist the ER and HR Advisory teams with day‑to‑day case coordination, including:
• Collating and organising relevant documentation
• Arranging meetings and noting support where required
• Preparing and maintaining case files, ensuring documentation is complete
• Invoice checking and approval processes
• Support the administration of formal ER processes, ensuring compliance with internal procedures and timelines.
• Provide administrative support during investigations, including evidence gathering and documentation collation.

Documentation & Correspondence

• Draft standard ER correspondence and documentation in line with agreed templates and guidance.
• Ensure all documentation is accurate, consistent and aligned with firm policies and ER best practice.
• Maintain appropriate version control, record keeping and confidentiality standards at all times.

Data Management, Reporting & Tracking

• Accurately log, update and maintain ER cases on trackers and dashboards.
• Maintain high standards of data quality and integrity, ensuring information is complete, current and consistently recorded.
• Support the preparation of basic reports, summaries and data extracts for the ER team and HR Business Partners.
• Monitor key administrative aspects of ER activity (e.g. case timelines, documentation completeness, data accuracy), escalating issues where identified.

Process Consistency & Continuous Improvement

• Support the ER team in maintaining consistent processes, templates and guidance across the function.
• Identify opportunities to improve administrative efficiency, organisation and data quality within ER processes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the HR Advisory team, particularly in relation to workflows, tracking and documentation.

Collaboration & Team Support

• Work closely with HR Advisors and HR Business Partners to provide a coordinated, professional and responsive ER service.
• Provide professional support to managers and employees, handling sensitive matters with discretion.
• Support wider HR activity where appropriate, particularly during periods of increased ER activity.
• Effectively escalates issues, demonstrating sound judgement and attention to risk.

Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Experience in an HR, ER or professional administration role.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
• High attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when handling documentation and data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, AI tools and HR systems.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience in professional services, ideally with multi‑site operations.
• Previous exposure to HR or employee relations processes.
• Understanding of basic employment practices or HR policies.
• Experience with data tracking, reporting or dashboards.
• Progress towards or interest in a CIPD qualification.

Ways of Working / Behavioural Expectations

• Organised and reliable: manage tasks effectively and meet deadlines.
• Detail‑oriented: ensure accuracy and consistency in documentation and data.
• Responsive and supportive: provide timely assistance to the ER and HR teams.
• Collaborative: work effectively with colleagues across the People Directorate.
• Willing to learn: build knowledge and capability in employee relations over time.

Equal Opportunities

We are a Disability Confident Employer, committed to recruiting and retaining disabled people and those with long‑term conditions. We promote diversity, inclusion and well‑being, and our hiring is based on equal opportunity for all regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.