ER (Employee Relations) Specialist

Job Introduction

We have a fantastic opportunity for a HR professional with extensive experience in ER (Employee Relations) to join our ER Services team who provide a remote, responsive and compliant ER advisory service, in line with Company / Segment specific policies and legislation to the business. You’ll be responsible for providing compliant and commercial advice to support line managers on complex ER issues and support escalations from the ER Advisors. You’ll help to drive down risk through proactively managing ER cases including suspensions, disciplinaries and grievances within the UK&I business by providing advice and coaching to line managers, employees and HR colleagues.

As part of a large and complex organisation you’ll be exposed to complex redundancies and restructures and be required to support line managers through the various stages to implementation. You’ll support the HR Services Manager to develop a suite of metrics/dashboard that demonstrates team productivity and segment ER environment trends and assist in producing trend reports enabling identification of manager capability and development opportunities. You’ll also have accountability for a small team of ER Advisors and their professional development; supporting their knowledge, growth and coaching them in how to provide compliant and commercial advice in line with best practice.

This is an exciting opportunity for a HR professional with extensive ER case exposure to develop their management skills and grow within a diverse organisation that’s one of the largest global employers.

Role Responsibility

• Provide practical advice and guidance to Line Managers on how to manage complicated and serious ER issues and advising up to dismissal, within an acceptable level of business risk and where necessary with approval from HR Services Manager or HR Business Partner 
• Provide TUPE support, ensuring that all TUPE activity is managed and delivered within agreed timescales.
• Complete direct report performance management Reviews, carrying out 1:1s, performance reviews, support recruitment of new team members, new starter inductions and deliver necessary training to new starters 
• Coach and support ER Specialists / Advisors in their job role to ensure a high-quality service provided at all times.
• Complete quality reviews of ER team work activity to identify opportunities to enhance timely ER Service delivery and team member skills and knowledge.
• Work collaboratively with Legal / ACAS to resolve complex ER cases.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• Able to provide remote ER support for a multi-site operation
• Demonstrates ability to manage multiple customer requirements and cases simultaneously in an organised manner and within timeframes.
• Excellent verbal and written skills with the ability to write in a clear, understandable and concise manner
• Understanding of customer requirements and ability to take ownership of problems/issues and recommend practical HR solutions
• Pro-active and practical approach to problem solving, with the desire to get a positive result at all times. 
• Strong working knowledge of current employment legislation and its application in the workplace
• An understanding of restructuring, contract mobilisation, mergers and acquisitions, TUPE transfers etc and ability to produce accurate redundancy calculations
• A practical understanding of regulatory industries, governing policies and their impact to ER issues
• A practical understanding of unionised environments, settlement agreements, TUPE legislation and Employment Tribunals
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office programmes

Desirable

• Experience of working within a Shared Service environment or busy modern HR department
• Knowledge of issues surrounding Compliance issues eg. eligibility to work in UK, DBSs etc
• Understanding of HR systems/technology / SAP HR / CRM
• Experience of working within a similar operating model
• Knowledge of Agenda for Change and other employee terms and conditions within a complex work environment
• Previous line management experience would be an advantage
• CIPD qualified

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, Defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to further engage ex-forces personnel and reservists.  Those applying for roles with us who meet the essential criteria advertised under the ‘ideal candidate’ on the vacancy advertised are guaranteed to progress within the selection process.