Employee Relations Advisor in Reading

This role is not a generalist HR Advisor role, but a role that focuses solely on supporting with employee relations cases.

The Employee Relations (ER) Advisor will be a vital member of our Advice Service team, delivering clear, practical and timely guidance on Thames Water\’s ER policies and processes. We\’re looking for someone who is confident, customer-focused, and skilled in navigating complex employee relations matters, with strong knowledge of People policies, procedures and supporting systems.

What you\’ll be doing as an ER Advisor

• Providing a professional front-line advisory service that supports managers with HR policy, process and system queries, aiming to resolve as many at the first point of contact. These queries specifically relate to employee relations. This is not a generalist HR Advisor role but a specialist one, and so good experience in employee relations matters is critical to be successful in this role.
• Supporting the line manager to manage cases such as conduct matters, capability, absence, medical capability, grievance and other HR issues, including suspensions and investigations. This may include reviewing investigation reports and complex letters or communications.
• Taking responsibility for your own workload and owning queries/cases through to resolution; communicating effectively with all involved in a timely manner.
• Maintaining case management records to ensure they are clear, concise and in line with GDPR.
• Coaching managers on all aspects of people management, including communication, robust decision making, fairness and consistency of application.

Base Location:
Reading – Hybrid.

We work to a hybrid model and meet regularly in the Reading office so you would be expected to travel to the Reading site. From time to time, you may be asked to visit one of the sites across the Thames Water patch.

Working Pattern:
36 Hours

What you should bring to the role

• Good time management.
• Experience supporting managers with employee relations cases.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and mainly from home, therefore there is a need to be self-managed and focused, whilst not having a team physically around you.
• Highly organised and responsive, with the ability to prioritise work to meet tight deadlines.
• Confident and tenacious, taking ownership of issues to resolution in a timely manner.
• Resilient and able to be flexible to change in demands, whilst remaining approachable.
• The ability to deal with difficult situations which may be personally challenging.
• Experience in SAP would be desirable.
• CIPD qualification desirable
• Experience in managing challenging stakeholders.
• Customer-focused, with a detailed knowledge of People policies and procedures.
• The ability to work in an environment which is ever-changing.
• Contribute to Service Improvement: Support ad-hoc projects and continuous improvement initiatives by providing input, sharing insights, and collaborating with key stakeholders to help enhance the team\’s service offering.

What\’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £40,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• The ability to own your own cases, partner with key stakeholders and build positive relationships with managers.
• The ability to work in a warm and supportive team environment where no two days are the same, where you can have fun as well as work hard.
• The chance to work for a business which is transforming, so there are lots of chances to make a difference.
• The chance to develop and build on your already great employee relations experience.
• Annual Leave – 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus