Role Responsibilities:

·        Provide expert HR advice and support to managers on a wide range of complex ER cases, including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, and absence-related matters.

·        Lead and manage long-term sickness and absence cases, including reasonable adjustments, capability procedures, and Occupational Health referrals.

·        Support managers with formal and informal investigations, ensuring compliance with employment law and company policies.

·        Coach and advise line managers on best practices for handling employee relations issues, helping them to develop their people management skills.

·        Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment law and HR best practices, ensuring policies and procedures remain legally compliant.

·        Work closely with Occupational Health, legal teams, the Head of Associate Relations and external advisors where required.

·        Support in the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures relating to ER and absence management.

·        Analyse ER and absence trends to proactively identify risks and recommend solutions to improve employee well-being and business outcomes.

·        Provide HR support during organisational change initiatives, including restructures, redundancies, and TUPE processes.

·        Deliver HR training and workshops to line managers on topics such as absence management, performance management, and ER best practices.

·        Provide mentoring and guidance to less experience team members.

QUALIFICATIONS
·        CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards) is desirable but not essential.

EXPERIENCE
·        Proven experience in an HR Advisory role with a strong focus on employee relations and absence management.

·        Experience managing complex ER cases from start to finish, including disciplinary, grievance, and capability cases.

·        Experience handling long-term sickness absence and liaising with Occupational Health.

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE
·        Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.

·        Knowledge of financial services / insurance markets.

·        Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations

·        Strong organisational and case management skills, with the ability to manage multiple cases at various stages.

·        Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to coach and guide managers effectively.

·        Ability to interpret and apply employment legislation to real-life workplace situations.

We are looking for a skilled HR Advisor with expertise in complex associate relations (AR) and absence management to join our team. This role is critical in providing expert advice and guidance to managers and employees on a range of AR issues, including disciplinary matters, grievances, capability concerns, long-term sickness, and other absence-related cases.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that AR cases are managed fairly, in line with employment law, company policies, and best practices, while also supporting a positive and productive workplace culture.