Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·        Act as first point of contact for ER advice to managers across the full range of employee relations issues including grievance, discipline, capability, sickness absence, redeployment, in line with best practice, Trust policy and employment legislation

·        Take a proactive lead in monitoring and analysing sickness absence for designated business areas, ensuring aboth short-term and long-term sickess is being managed in line with trust policy in a timely and efficient manner

·        Provide advice to managers regarding flexibile working requests, ensuring staff are treated fairly and avoiding risks of discrimination

·        Providing guidance to managers regarding reasonable adjustments, and facilitating applications for ill-health retirement in a timely manner

·        Under the guidance of the Senior ER Advisor, manage caseload of employee relations issues and advise managers on ER issues in particular: sickness absence cases performance concerns and probation cases.

·        Provide advisory support to managers regarding disciplinary and grievance issues; and under the direction of the investigations team, manage a caseload of non-complex investigations

·        Provide administrative and advisory support to the investigations team on complex investigations  

·        Ensure that advice and assistance to managers on staff-related operational issues is of a timely, accurate and professional nature, adhering to KPIs and policy timescales

·        Arrange formal meetings and investigations with multiple stakeholders

·        Provide support to the Trust’s Equality and Inclusion agenda and advise on employment related issues relating to equality and diversity

·        Maintain accurate records including formal ER case files, their transfer to staff personnel files, electronic staff records and the maintenance of the Case Tracker and audit

·        Audit personnel and case files to ensure accurate and proportionate records are being kept in line with Information Governance requirements when required

·        Deputise for the Senior ER Advisor and contribute to Divisional and Corporate Care Group / Business Unit meetings as required

·        Provide assistance to the Senior ER Advisor in the management of change issues and contribute as necessary to formal consultation exercises as part of the organisational change initiative, such as at redeployment meetings

·        Advise managers on all aspects of the pay banding and job evaluation process, including participation on formal job evaluation panels where appropriate and needed

·        Lead on discrete projects, including supporting with the development of team objectives and KPI’s

·        Contribute to the development and delivery of ER training programmes to develop the capability of line managers in managing ER issues.  

·        Analyse workforce information reports, e.g. sickness reports, to highlight trends and provide practical solutions to facilitate timely resolution, including providing local coaching and training to managers and team leaders in addressing employee relations issues

·        Contribute to relevant ER performance reports when required

·        To be responsible for taking and transcribing minutes at formal hearings to ensure an accurate record of proceedings is kept for use at internal appeals and external Employment Tribunal Hearings

·        To support managers and provide professional advice in preparing relevant management statements of case for internal formal case hearings

·        Working proactively with managers to improve sickness absence and other workforce key performance indicators in line with the Trust’s performance targets and strategy

·        To support in creating, reviewing and developing Trust employment policies that comply with current employment legislation and NHS Employers standards

·        Undertake, monitor and report on trends of exit interviews, escalating to relevant parties as required

·        Coordinate, support and facilitate health & wellbeing initiatives / projects

·        Liaise with external bodies during the course of investigations i.e. Police, Counter Fraud, CQC, Occupational Health and Social Services as appropriate

·        Responsible for maintaining relevant office equipment and supplies relating to Employee Relations work, including monitoring stock levels, raising issues and requesting stationary supplies as needed

·        Providing admin support to the ER team, including attending and preparing agendas and minute taking at trust wide meetings.