At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and drive employee relations while mentoring and advising managers on complex cases.
- 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: Home-based role with travel; competitive salary up to £40,000.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team that values inclusion and employee experience.
- Qualifications: CIPD membership or significant HR experience with a focus on employee relations.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 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 join us in the role of Employee Relations Specialist, 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. This includes 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 that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees while making a significant impact in the community. As a leading charity, we offer a supportive work culture, comprehensive benefits including generous leave policies and flexible working arrangements, and ample opportunities for professional growth within a diverse and inclusive environment. Join us in our mission to support individuals facing drug, alcohol, and mental health challenges, and be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters a sense of belonging.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, dive into WithYou's mission and values. Understanding what drives us will help you connect your experience with our goals, making you a standout candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to employee relations and think about how your past experiences align with the role. We want to hear your stories, so be ready to share!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for inclusion! WithYou values diverse voices, so highlight any experiences that demonstrate your commitment to creating an inclusive workplace. This will resonate well with our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission to support those in need. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Employee Relations Specialist role. Highlight your experience and how it aligns with our mission at WithYou.
Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to showcase your relevant skills and experiences that match the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our People team.
Be Concise and Clear:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible and avoid jargon. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially in HR!
Apply Early!:Remember, we might close applications early if we get enough interest. Don’t wait until the last minute – apply through our website as soon as you can to secure your chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at WithYou
✨Craft a Compelling Cover Letter
Make sure your covering letter stands out! Highlight your relevant experience in employee relations and how it aligns with the charity's mission. Be genuine and express your passion for supporting people facing challenges.
✨Know Your Employment Law
Brush up on your knowledge of employment law and best practices. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve applied this knowledge in previous roles, especially in complex cases. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can also implement it effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed difficult employee relations cases. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Show Your Commitment to Inclusion
With the organisation's focus on inclusion, be ready to discuss how you’ve contributed to creating an inclusive workplace. Share specific examples of how you've supported diverse teams or individuals, demonstrating your alignment with their values.
