Employee Relations Specialist

Acorn Recruitment; Amersham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Acorn by Synergie is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Specialist to provide expert advice on a wide range of ER matters. You will support managers in navigating people challenges while ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation and company policies.

Based in Amersham or Portsmouth, this temporary 4-month role offers exposure to a busy HR environment, handling disciplinary investigations, grievances and absence management, with opportunities to develop ER expertise and influence

Qualifications

• Experience in employee relations, HR advisory or generalist HR.
• Able to advise managers on ER issues with practical solutions.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and best practice.
• Experience handling disciplinary investigations, grievances, performance and absence management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple cases.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of employee relations matters including disciplinary investigations and hearings, grievances and absence management.
• Provide clear, practical advice to managers on ER issues and ensure fair handling.
• Escalate complex or high-risk cases when required and maintain records in HR systems.
• Produce ER MI reports and monitor caseload trends for continuous improvement.
• Coach managers to apply policies consistently and build ER capability.
• Assist with updating HR policies, guidance and knowledge resources.

Skills

Employee relations

HR advisory

Generalist HR

UK employment law

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

CIPD qualification

Job description

Employee Relations Specialist | ER Specialist | HR Advisor

Amersham or Portsmouth | Temporary | Approx. 4 Months, | Full-Time

Introduction

Acorn by Synergie is recruiting an experienced

Employee Relations Specialist to provide expert advice and guidance on a wide range of employee relations matters.

You'll support managers in navigating people-related challenges while ensuring compliance with

UK employment legislation and company policies.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a fast-paced HR team, delivering practical ER solutions, mitigating employment risk and supporting positive employee outcomes.

What We Offer

• Immediate opportunity within a busy and supportive HR environment.
• Temporary assignment of approximately 4 months, with the potential to continue for the right person.
• Exposure to a broad range of employee relations cases.
• Opportunity to further develop your employment law and ER expertise.
• Supportive and fast-paced HR environment.

Key Duties

Employee Relations Case Management

• Manage a varied caseload of employee relations matters, including disciplinary investigations and hearings, grievances, performance and capability management, absence management and flexible working requests.
• Provide clear and practical advice to managers on employee relations issues.
• Ensure cases are managed fairly, consistently and in line with employment legislation and internal policies.
• Escalate complex or high-risk cases when appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records and case documentation using HR systems.

Reporting and Analysis

• Produce and analyse Employee Relations Management Information (MI).
• Monitor caseloads, outcomes and trends.
• Provide insights to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Coaching and Development

• Coach and support managers to increase confidence in handling employee relations matters.
• Promote consistent application of policies and procedures across the business.

Policy and Process Improvement

• Assist with reviewing and updating HR policies, guidance documents, templates and knowledge resources.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency and consistency within HR processes.

Requirements

• Previous experience within Employee Relations, HR Advisory or a generalist HR position.
• Confidence independently managing a varied ER caseload.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations best practice.
• Experience advising managers on a range of employee relations matters.
• Excellent organisational and workload management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• CIPD qualification or working towards one would be advantageous.