Employee Relations Case Worker

Next Link Consortium; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

Next Link Consortium is seeking an experienced Employee Relations professional to join a large Local Authority in the North West. As an ER Complex Case Worker, you will own a varied caseload of high‑risk cases and advise on complex disciplinary, grievances, and absence matters in line with legal and organisational frameworks.

You will collaborate with unions, drive early intervention and mediation, and assess risk across cases to protect the authority and staff.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in employee relations within large, complex organisations.
• CIPD Level 5 or 7 qualification required.
• Experience collaborating with unions and employee representatives.
• Public sector background desirable or equivalent complex corporate exposure.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advise on a varied portfolio of complex ER cases end-to-end (disciplinaries, grievances, long-term sickness, performance).
• Collaborate constructively with trade unions and employee representatives.
• Champion early intervention, mediation and informal resolutions to resolve conflicts.
• Identify, assess and escalate legal, reputational or safeguarding risks in casework.

Skills

ER Expertise

Case Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Public Sector

Education

CIPD Level 5/7

Job description

Job Title: Employee Relations Complex Case Worker

Sector: Local Government / Public Sector

Location: North West of England (Hybrid Working)

Contract Type: 3 Months Initial (with strong potential to extend)

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Employee Relations professional to join a large, complex Local Authority in the North West. As an ER Complex Case Worker, you will operate as the subject matter expert on high-level, sensitive, and intricate employee relations matters. You will also take ownership of a varied caseload, ensuring all matters are handled fairly, consistently, and in strict accordance with legal and organisational frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Case Management: Lead, manage, and advise on a varied portfolio of complex ER cases, including gross misconduct disciplinaries, intricate grievances, long-term sickness absence, and high-level performance management issues.
• Union Collaboration:: Partner constructively with trade unions and employee representatives, navigating consultations and negotiations effectively.
• Early Intervention & Mediation:Champion early intervention strategies, utilising mediation and informal resolution techniques to resolve conflicts before they escalat
• Risk Management: Identify, assess, and elevate significant legal, reputational, or safeguarding risks associated with complex casework.

Ideal Skills & Experience

• Proven ER Expertise: Extensive experience operating purely or heavily within an Employee Relations capacity, specifically managing and advising on complex, high-risk ER cases.
• Large Organisation Experience (Essential): Demonstrable experience working within a large, highly complex, and multi-layered organisation.
• Public Sector Background: Previous experience within Local Government, the NHS, or the wider public sector is highly desirable, though candidates from complex corporate backgrounds will be considered.
• Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or 7 qualification (or equivalent practical experience).

Interviews: To be held as soon as possible.