HR Officer in Harlow

Are you a people-focused, organised, and solution-driven HR professional with a passion for supporting teams and creating positive workplace experiences? We’re looking for an HR Officer to join our fast-paced cleaning company and help shape the way we support our people at Classic Cleaning.

As an HR Officer, you’ll be at the heart of our team handling day-to-day HR operations, advising managers and staff, and ensuring our policies and practices are followed with care and consistency. Your support will help us build a motivated and high-performing workforce.

Working Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Office-based but flexibility required for occasional travel to client sites)

Location: Office based – CM20 2BN

Salary: £32,000 per annum

Holidays: 20 days per annum + 8 Bank Holidays

Other Benefits: HR, loyalty, recommendation and referral bonuses

Essential Experience:

• Previous experience in an HR role supporting a diverse workforce, ideally including both office and field-based employees.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and able to adapt to changing priorities.
• Working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.
• Strong attention to detail, with experience managing confidential data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across multiple levels and languages.
• Competency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Desirable:

• CIPD Level 3 or 5 (or willingness to work towards it).

Key Skills:

• High attention to detail and accuracy in data entry, documentation, and reporting.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact professionally with employees at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Discretion, confidentiality, and professional integrity.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills.
• Understanding of recruitment, onboarding, record‑keeping, and compliance procedures.
• A collaborative team player with a positive and flexible attitude.
• Proactive and solution-focused approach to problem solving.
• Culturally aware and able to work with diverse teams, including non‑English speakers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Recruitment & Onboarding: Manage end-to-end recruitment processes for cleaning and office staff, including drafting job adverts, shortlisting candidates, interviewing, and completing compliance checks. Support Regional Managers and Head of Operations with the recruitment of cleaning operatives across multiple contracts. Lead the advertisement of vacancies through internal and external channels, including social media, ensuring a professional, inclusive, and engaging approach. Prepare employment contracts and ensure timely and accurate set-up of new hires in Bright HR and ACT. Oversee the full onboarding process: issuing contracts, verifying right-to-work documents, completing references and full employment history checks, ordering uniforms, and updating all HR systems. Ensure full compliance with sector‑specific vetting requirements such as DBS checks, overseas vetting, and vetting declarations in line with KCSiE guidelines. Maintain and monitor DBS expiry reports, issuing renewal requests on time. Prepare and issue employee ID badges.
• Employee Relations, Compliance & Contract Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records across all HR systems, including Bright HR and ACT. Prepare contract variations arising from operational or contractual changes. Support the processing of employee leavers, including issuing P45s and updating all systems accordingly. Manage visa and passport expiry checks and support renewal processes to ensure legal compliance. Carry out DBS application processing and renewals in line with current guidelines. Assist the HR Manager in TUPE transfers, ensuring smooth employee transitions and full regulatory compliance. Support compliance initiatives such as Investors in People accreditation.
• Employee Relations & Support: Act as a first point of contact for day‑to‑day employee queries, providing support in English and other languages as needed. Provide guidance to managers and employees on HR policies, employment law basics, and people management practices. Support absence management processes, including monitoring attendance KPIs and managing AWOL cases. Assist with performance management activities, including probation reviews, capability processes, and follow‑ups. Support employee rehiring processes within Bright HR and ACT, ensuring compliance and accurate record keeping. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across HR operations and contribute to process enhancements. Assist the HR Manager in mentoring and supporting junior HR colleagues.
• Performance, Engagement & Communication: Organise employee engagement initiatives. Translate and support the production of the quarterly company newsletter to ensure accessibility for multilingual staff. Draft, manage, and respond to HR‑related correspondence, ensuring professional and brand-aligned communication. Create and maintain internal HR communication materials to support staff engagement and awareness. Notify customers of changes in cleaning staff assigned to contracts (including schools and office sites), ensuring clear and timely communication. Take minutes during HR or management meetings, ensuring accurate and confidential documentation.
• Cross‑Functional & Administrative Support: Collaborate effectively with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, and IT to deliver integrated and consistent HR support across the business. Process payslip requests and ensure timely distribution to employees. Handle incoming calls professionally and respond to queries promptly. Support other reasonable HR projects and tasks as required, adapting to the evolving needs of the business.

This is an extremely exciting opportunity to join a respected, growing business and friendly environment. Our specific market sector focus is within the Corporate, Education, Managing Agents and Housing Associations. If you’re passionate about helping teams thrive and want to make a real impact behind the scenes, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now with your CV.