Colleague Relations Advisor

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Colleague Relations Advisor.

This role is based at our head office in Portsmouth. The role offers hybrid working with a minimum of three days in the office. The office has great amenities with onsite parking and a lakeside shuttle bus service. We’re offering a permanent part-time role working 25 hours over 5 days a week. We are seeking an individual to provide expert ER / Colleague Relations advice that encourages and enables line managers across our retail estate to take accountability to resolve employee relation cases in line with employment legislation and company policy.

What we’re looking for

Your day-to-day tasks will include:

• Provide pragmatic and timely advice remotely on a high volume of cases including disciplinary, grievance, appeal and investigation meetings and ensure they are completed in a timely fashion.
• Coach and influence line managers to ensure the right outcome is achieved.
• Escalate high risk/high profile cases to line manager whilst working with operations colleagues to ensure appropriate resource is made available to manage these cases.
• To participate in the provision of formal training to Operational colleagues to improve capability in managing Employee Relations (ER) cases, including conducting investigations and formal hearings, conduct versus capability, decision making and note-taking.
• Attend hearings and meetings by exception as the management representative to advise and take notes.
• Provide reports that identify the number and types of cases and outcomes. Make recommendations to further improve Southern Co-op approach to managing all Employee Relations (ER) cases.
• Ensure all information collated is accurate and timely.

Other duties may include:

• Aid in the management of employment tribunal (ET) claims, collating and preparing documents.
• Assist in the management of employee consultation, redeployment or termination of employment through TUPE and redundancy exercises.
• Assist in the review and amendment of employment policies in line with changes to employment legislation and ACAS codes of Practice.
• Support the delivery of the wider HR strategy across Southern Co-op.

Key skills required

• Highly organised approach and strong attention to detail
• An excellent communicator with the confidence to build strong relationships with multiple stakeholders
• Resilient and comfortable managing high volume, complex workloads in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to coach and influence others
• In depth knowledge of employment legislation and its application
• Experience as an Employee Relations specialist is desirable
• CIPD Qualification (or studying) is desirable

Company Benefits

• 31 days of annual leave (incl bank holidays) increasing over time to a maximum of 36 days after 10 years’ service.
• 20% discount in stores
• Hybrid working
• Healthcare cash plan
• Share incentive plan
• NEST pension
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Opportunities to develop your skills through apprenticeships and our own in-house training & development programmes

About Us

We’re an independent Co-op, operating across the south of England running convenience food stores, funeral homes, crematoria, natural/woodland burial grounds and a Starbucks coffee franchise. We’re owned by our 200,000+ members, have over 4,000 colleagues and a purpose of working together for the benefit of our communities. We have a commitment to sustainable business and a promise to provide a fair, fresh approach, for all. Become part of the family who are proud to serve local communities and put people first.

If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.