Employee Relations Specialist - Remote in Reading

Location: UK – Fully Remote

Contract: Permanent | Full-time (40 hours per week)

Salary: Up to £37,500 per annum (DOE)

Reports to: Employee Relations Manager

About the role

We’re seeking two Employee Relations Specialists to join our HRER team supporting the UK and Republic of Ireland. In this role, you’ll be a trusted advisor on all employee relations matters, helping managers navigate complex situations with confidence. You’ll combine commercial awareness with fairness, compliance, and a focus on creating a positive employee experience. This position offers exposure to a wide range of ER activities, including complex case management, organisational change programmes, and Employment Tribunal defence. You’ll benefit from ongoing mentoring by an experienced ER Manager and collaborate closely with a leading employment law firm, giving you the opportunity to deepen your expertise and make a real impact.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Takes initiative and works independently with confidence.
• Demonstrates compassion and empathy in every interaction.
• Is driven to achieve results and deliver excellence.
• Possesses exceptional influencing and negotiation skills.
• Embodies our company values in everything they do.
• Thrives in a team environment and builds strong relationships.
• Shows resilience, focus, and adaptability under pressure.
• Has the courage to challenge constructively and make sound decisions.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Manages time and priorities efficiently to meet deadlines.

What you’ll be doing

• Act as the first point of contact for managers on complex employee relations matters, providing pragmatic, legally sound and best-in-class advice.
• Support and manage cases across the full ER spectrum, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, wellbeing, and performance-related issues.
• Assist with full Employment Tribunal activity, including ACAS / LRA early conciliation, ET3 responses, witness statements, evidence bundles, and preliminary hearing representation.
• Support the drafting and negotiation of settlement agreements.
• Contribute to organisational change programmes such as redeployment, redundancy, restructuring, harmonisation, and TUPE.
• Partner closely with HR Business Partners and key stakeholders across Operations, Workforce Management, Payroll, Recruitment, IT, Finance, and Legal.
• Maintain and review HR policies and the Employee Handbook to ensure alignment with UK and Republic of Ireland employment law and best practice.
• Use ER data and insights to identify trends, reduce risk, and continuously improve ways of working.
• Champion efficient, streamlined, and people-focused ER processes.

Essential

• Proven experience working in an Employee Relations or HR role, with exposure to complex casework.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law, including the Equality Act and Employment Rights Act (and any other relevant legislation relating to Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland).
• Confidence advising and influencing managers at all levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Experience level (one of the following):

• 2+ years’ ER specialist experience in a contact centre environment, or
• 3+ years’ ER specialist experience in another fast‑paced industry, or
• 4+ years’ HR generalist experience.

Desirable

• CIPD qualification (or working towards).
• Mediation training or accredited mediator status.
• Exposure to Employment Tribunal preparation or early conciliation activity.

Why join us?

• A truly diverse ER role with the opportunity to develop into full Employment Tribunal ownership.
• Supportive leadership and a collaborative HR team committed to your growth.
• A chance to shape and influence how employee relations is delivered at scale across the organisation.