At a Glance
- Tasks: Support employee relations and provide expert advice in a dynamic charity environment.
- Company: Join a leading charity making a real difference in mental health and addiction support.
- Benefits: 28 days leave, extra day for your birthday, flexible working, and volunteer opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture welcoming diverse voices and experiences.
- Why this job: Make an impact while supporting a diverse team and driving positive change.
- Qualifications: CIPD membership or significant HR experience with strong employment law knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Employee Relations Specialist role at WithYou. All applicants need to submit a CV and a covering letter on why you should be considered for this role. Applications will not be accepted if no covering letter is included. Please note that this role may close early should sufficient applications be received, so early application is advised.
As a leading charity supporting people with drug, alcohol, and mental health challenges, we operate over 80 services across England and Scotland, providing free and confidential support to more than 100,000 people each year.
Working in the People team at WithYou brings something new every day - we are:
- There to listen and support
- Ready to help our managers find solutions
- On hand to provide expert advice
- Always thinking about how we can provide the best employee experience
We are excited to be recruiting for an experienced HR professional to support and drive our People ambitions. We are looking for a subject matter expert on all things ER, including change. This is a full time and permanent home‑based role, with some travel required and a salary of up to £40,000 per annum.
Key responsibilities:
- Ensuring that People advice provided is in line with organisational policies and procedures, best practice and employment legislation in order to minimise the risk to the organisation.
- Acting as a mentor and coach to our People Advisers, supporting their growth and ensuring employment law and practice knowledge is consistently up to date.
- Acting as the escalation point for contentious complex cases and overseeing the case management of any potential gross misconduct or dismissals, whilst ensuring case work is managed robustly, fairly and in a timely and legally compliant manner.
- Supporting line managers with all casework issues of employees up to Senior Management level, including formal and informal disciplinary and grievance cases, long‑term and intermittent sickness absence management and any welfare concerns raised by employees or their managers of a complex nature.
- Managing and organising caseloads, prioritising as appropriate along with reviewing and expediting the overall status of cases with the People Advisers.
- Deputising for our Employee Relations Manager and providing cover for the People Advisers, where required.
Desired qualifications and experience:
- Chartered membership of the CIPD or significant demonstrable experience.
- Experience and knowledge of the essentials of employment law and managing complex employee relations cases.
- Experience acting as deputy to a lead HR role in a similarly complex organisation.
- Experience delivering functional HR expertise across the full generalist remit including recruitment, reward, organisational development, change management, employee engagement, employee relations and learning and development.
Commitment to inclusion:
We continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our staff. We welcome unique contributions from people with lived experience, people with disabilities, people from racialised communities, LGBTQ+ people, people of all ages and armed forces veterans. As part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for veterans who meet the essential criteria. We are also a Disability Confident Employer and offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition that may affect your performance, we’ll be happy to make reasonable adjustments.
What we offer:
- 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
- An extra day off for your birthday or a special occasion of your choice.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
- 2 days paid volunteer leave per year.
- Auto‑enrollment into We Are With You’s pension scheme.
- Access to a Blue Light Card – great savings on selected brands.
- Flexible working opportunities and support for wellbeing.
- Refer a Friend scheme: earn a £500 bonus for each successful referral after 6 months probation.
Employee Relations Specialist employer: WithYou
WithYou is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. As a leading charity, we offer meaningful opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of those facing drug, alcohol, and mental health challenges, while providing generous benefits such as 28 days annual leave, enhanced family leave, and flexible working arrangements. Our commitment to employee growth and wellbeing, alongside our focus on diversity and inclusion, makes us a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Specialist
✨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 WithYou!
✨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 WithYou.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Specialist
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 WithYou. 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 WithYou 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 WithYou. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to WithYou'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 WithYou
✨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 WithYou.
✨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 WithYou 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 WithYou and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
