Employee Relations Specialist

The Role

You will be working as a Temporary Employee Relations Specialist for an initial period of 6 months however there is potential for this role to become permanent.

You will act as the go-to subject matter expert for all employee relations matters across the business.

You will provide pragmatic, legally compliant advice while balancing commercial reality and employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied and complex caseload covering disciplinaries, grievances, performance management, sickness absence, and capability issues.
• Lead or support sensitive workplace investigations, witness interviews, and formal hearings.
• Provide expert guidance on UK employment law, redundancy/restructuring consultation processes, and TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings [Protection of Employment]) where applicable.
• Coach, upskill, and build the confidence of line managers to handle early-stage employee issues effectively.
• Partner with recognised trade unions, employee representatives, or external legal counsel when required.
• Analyze ER metrics and trends (e.g., absence rates, tribunal claims, grievances) to recommend proactive policy or cultural improvements.
• Keep policies and employee handbooks up to date with changing legislation.

What We Are Looking For

• Experience: Substantial hands-on experience working in a dedicated Employee Relations or generalist HR advisory role.
• Knowledge: Deep, practical understanding of UK employment law and best-practice ER frameworks.
• Skills: Strong investigation, conflict-resolution, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Communication: Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information clearly and calmly to all levels of the business.
• Qualification: CIPD qualified (Level 5 or 7) or equivalent practical experience.