Employee Relations Specialist

Overview:

Responsibilities:

Employee Relations Specialist

Location: UK – Fully Remote (or can work from any 1 of the UK contact centres; or hybrid)

Contract: Permanent | Full-time (40 hours per week)

Salary: Up to £37,500 per annum (DOE)

Reports to: Employee Relations Manager

About the role

We’re seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to join our HRER team supporting the UK and Republic of Ireland. In this role, you’ll be a trusted advisor on all employee relations matters, helping managers navigate complex situations with confidence. You’ll combine commercial awareness with fairness, compliance, and a focus on creating a positive employee experience.

This position offers exposure to a wide range of ER activities, including complex case management, organisational change programmes, and Employment Tribunal defence. You’ll benefit from ongoing mentoring by an experienced ER Manager and collaborate closely with a leading employment law firm, giving you the opportunity to deepen your expertise and make a real impact.

We’re looking for someone who:

Takes initiative and works independently with confidence.

Demonstrates compassion and empathy in every interaction.

Is driven to achieve results and deliver excellence.

Possesses exceptional influencing and negotiation skills.

Embodies our company values in everything they do.

Thrives in a team environment and builds strong relationships.

Shows resilience, focus, and adaptability under pressure.

Has the courage to challenge constructively and make sound decisions.

Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Manages time and priorities efficiently to meet deadlines.

What you’ll be doing

Act as the first point of contact for managers on complex employee relations matters, providing pragmatic, legally sound and best-in-class advice.

Support and manage cases across the full ER spectrum, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, wellbeing, and performance-related issues.

Assist with full Employment Tribunal activity, including ACAS/LRA early conciliation, ET3 responses, witness statements, evidence bundles, and preliminary hearing representation, or final hearing representation, where appropriate and with full coaching and support of ER Manager.

Support the drafting and negotiation of settlement agreements.

Contribute to organisational change programmes such as redeployment, redundancy, restructuring, harmonisation, and TUPE.

Partner closely with HR Business Partners and key stakeholders across Operations, Workforce Management, Payroll, Recruitment, IT, Finance, and Legal.

Maintain and review HR policies and the Employee Handbook to ensure alignment with UK and Republic of Ireland employment law and best practice.

Use ER data and insights to identify trends, reduce risk, and continuously improve ways of working.

Champion efficient, streamlined, and people-focused ER processes.

Essential

Proven experience working in an Employee Relations or HR role, with exposure to complex casework.

Strong working knowledge of UK employment law, including the Equality Act and Employment Rights Act (and any other relevant legislation relating to Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland)

Confidence advising and influencing managers at all levels.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.

Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Experience level (one of the following):

2+ years’ ER specialist experience in a contact centre environment, or

3+ years’ ER specialist experience in another fast-paced industry, or

4+ years’ HR generalist experience.

Desirable

CIPD qualification (or working towards).

Mediation training or accredited mediator status.

Exposure to Employment Tribunal preparation or early conciliation activity.

Why join us?

A truly diverse ER role with the opportunity to develop into full Employment Tribunal ownership.

Supportive leadership and a collaborative HR team committed to your growth.

A chance to shape and influence how employee relations is delivered at scale across the organisation.

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