Employee Relations Advisor

JD Group; Bury; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

JD Group in Bury is seeking an Employee Relations Advisor to deliver proactive ER support across Retail, Gyms, Supply Chain and Head Office locations. You will provide practical first-line ER advice, coach managers, and help ensure compliance with employment legislation and company policies.

The role requires CIPD Level 5 or equivalent, and experience in high-volume ER caseloads; familiarity with Office365 and HR systems; occasional out-of-hours work for a 24/7 operation.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 required; Level 3 considered with substantial HR generalist experience.
• Retail or fast-paced environment handling high-volume ER caseloads.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and ER policies.
• Excellent documentation and minute-taking skills.
• Clear communication and influencing skills; able to challenge practices.
• Proficient with Office365 and HR systems; Dayforce experience advantageous.
• Able to work flexibly outside standard hours for a 24/7 operation.

Responsibilities

• Provide first-line employee relations advice to Line Managers and colleagues.
• Support and coach Line Managers to resolve ER matters to appropriate conclusions.
• Support meetings for managers and the People team; document outcomes.
• Maintain GDPR-compliant audit trails for all HR records.
• Ensure monthly and annual People processes are completed on time.
• Assist with ER-related projects as required.

Skills

CIPD Level 5

HR generalist experience

Employment legislation knowledge

Communication and influence

Office365 / HR systems

High-volume caseloads

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

Tools

Dayforce

HRIS

MS Office

Job description

Employee Relations Advisor

Responsible to: Employee Relations Senior Advisor

Department: Employee Relations

Location: Bury with travel to Kingsway and other Head Office locations

Role Overview: Deliver a professional, proactive and flexible Employee Relations service by providing appropriate generalist advice and support to all colleagues. Driving best practice and ensuring compliance with all Company policies and procedures in line with employment legislation.

Key Duties/Responsibilities:

• To provide practical and effective first line employee relations advice across the Group to Line Managers and colleagues covering Retail, Gyms, Supply Chain and Head Office. This includes (but is not limited to) providing timely and accurate advice with regards to disciplinary, grievance, absence management and family friendly policies.
• Able to manage queries empathetically and in turn communicate outcomes clearly and articulately with the aim of minimising appeals.
• Act as a team player with the wider People team by sharing knowledge and expertise.
• Support and coach Line Managers to effectively manage and resolve employee relations matters through to appropriate conclusions.
• Provide support to Line Managers and the wider People team during meetings.
• Have an excellent working knowledge of up to date employment legislation, best practice and case law.
• Able to work autonomously and prioritise accordingly (with guidance and support from the People Leadership team where required).
• Be able to use Occupational Health appropriately within employee relations casework and write referrals to OH Advisors.
• Communicate with and support the People Leadership team to ensure employee relations policies and procedures are fairly and proportionately applied, whilst identifying opportunities for improvement to current practices.
• Understand the Groups’ responsibilities to statutory regulations.
• Maintain clear audit trails for all People records in accordance with GDPR regulations.
• Support in ensuring that critical monthly and annual cycle People processes are executed within the relevant timescales.
• Assist with project work when required.

Skills/Knowledge Needed:

• CIPD qualified to a minimum of Level 5. Level 3 may be considered if the candidate is able to demonstrate substantial relevant HR generalist based work experience, with a desire to gain Level 5 qualification.
• Previous HR/People Advisor related experience is essential, preferably in a retail environment or another fast-paced, constantly changing People environment, with responsibility for managing high volume complex caseloads.
• Excellent knowledge of employment legislation and Employee Relations policies and procedures.
• Be comfortable offering advice and minute taking in formal meetings to ensure all interactions are documented accurately and conducted appropriately.
• Good communication skills with the ability to guide and influence and the confidence to challenge current practices appropriately where required.
• Able to communicate clearly and articulately with all stakeholders throughout the business.
• Proficient knowledge of Office365 and HR Systems (Previous experience of Dayforce would be advantageous)
• Accurate typing skills recognising the need for attention to detail.
• Proven experience of working within a constantly changing environment.
• Flexible to work outside of standard office hours if required to support a 24/7 operation.