Location
Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, Catford

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£39,959 per annum

About the Role
The Senior Employee Relations (ER) Advisor will provide expert advice and support to managers on all aspects of employee relations including sickness absence, conduct, performance management, grievances, harassment, and bullying cases. You will ensure timely progression of cases in line with Trust policies, employment legislation, and best practice guidance. The role involves advising managers on the application of employment policies and procedures, coaching and training to promote good employee relations and wellbeing at work. You will support managers chairing formal hearings, ensuring fair and impartial processes, and take and transcribe notes for internal appeals and Employment Tribunal hearings. Additionally, you will assist in preparing management statements for appeals and responses for tribunal claims.

You will provide staff with information on NHS terms and conditions and issues impacting health and wellbeing such as salary, leave entitlements, flexible working, retirement, stress management, and sickness absence. Proactively working with managers to reduce sickness absence in line with Trust targets is a key responsibility. You will also collaborate with senior HR leadership to review and develop employment policies ensuring compliance with legislation and NHS standards.

The role includes supporting recruitment initiatives and advising on positive DBS checks. You will advise managers on organisational change initiatives, ensuring proper consultation with staff and trade unions, and assist with redundancy and redeployment processes.

Management responsibilities include jointly line managing the HR Assistant and conducting performance appraisals. You will develop and deliver training sessions on HR management topics such as performance management and sickness absence, and work with directorate managers to identify coaching and development needs, designing bespoke sessions as required.

Experience
Proven experience in employee relations, including managing sickness absence, conduct, performance management, grievances, and disciplinary processes. Experience advising managers on employment policies and procedures, chairing or supporting formal hearings, and handling Employment Tribunal cases is essential. Experience in organisational change management, redundancy, and redeployment processes is required. Previous line management experience is desirable.

Experience delivering training and coaching to managers on HR issues is advantageous.

About you
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to provide clear, practical advice and support to managers and staff. You are proactive, organised, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively. You demonstrate sound judgement, confidentiality, and a commitment to promoting positive employee relations and wellbeing. You work collaboratively with senior HR colleagues and directorate managers to deliver effective HR solutions.

You are committed to keeping up to date with employment law and HR best practice to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications
Relevant HR qualifications or equivalent experience in employee relations and HR management are desirable. Commitment to ongoing professional development in employment law and HR best practice is expected.