Employee Relations Manager

Your World Recruitment; Croydon; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an Employee Relations Manager to oversee sickness support functions within an NHS organization. The position entails leading a team in absence management, engagement with operational leaders, and ensuring policy adherence. This role requires proven leadership skills, the ability to coach, and sound employment law knowledge. The position is office-based in Croydon, with a 4-month temporary contract.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing complex sickness absence caseloads.
• Experience training and coaching managers.
• NHS or large public sector experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead on complex sickness absence cases including long-term absence.
• Provide high-level coaching to senior managers.
• Collaborate with trade unions and HR Business Partners.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Influencing

Employment Law Knowledge

Collaboration

Job description

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Band 7 – Employee Relations Manager (Sickness Support)

Job Summary:

As the Employee Relations Manager, you will lead the sickness support function, managing a team responsible for complex absence management cases across a large, unionised NHS organisation. This is a critical role requiring leadership in fast-paced environments, strategic coaching of senior managers, and direct engagement with operational leaders to reduce long-term absence and support organisational wellbeing.

Location: Croydon (4 days on site 1 day WFH)

Job Type: Temporary

Duration of booking: Expected to last 4 months with possible extension

Proposed start date: ASAP

Pay Rates: Up to £26.16 per hour PAYE inclusive of holiday pay

Hours / Working Days: 37.5 hours per week / Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

Based: Office / Hospital

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on complex sickness absence cases including long-term absence, phased returns, and reasonable adjustments.
• Provide high-level coaching and training to senior managers in managing absence effectively and lawfully.
• Collaborate closely with trade unions and HR Business Partners to ensure consistent policy application.
• Oversee a large and varied caseload while ensuring key performance indicators are met.
• Prepare and present reports to HR and operational leadership on sickness trends and interventions.
• Support improvement initiatives across employee wellbeing and sickness prevention.

Requirements:

• Proven experience managing complex sickness absence caseloads in large, unionised environments.
• Experience training and coaching managers in absence management.
• NHS or large public sector experience highly desirable.
• Ability to lead and influence at all levels with sound employment law knowledge.
• Willingness and flexibility to work onsite in hospitals or community settings at least 4 days per week.
Job reference number: YW-GW1S