HR Adviser

Civic Recruitment Limited; Lewisham; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work pattern

2–3 days in the office

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is assisting Lewisham Borough Council to recruit an Employee Relations Specialist on a 3 months contract. The role focuses on sickness absence management, advising managers, and handling a broad range of HR cases within the council.

You will liaise with Occupational Health, monitor absence trends, and maintain confidential case records, with a pattern of 2–3 days in the office and 2 days remote work.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a wide range of complex employee relations cases independently.
• Experience supporting sickness absence management, including long-term absence and ill-health capability cases.
• Experience advising managers on employment policies, procedures, and workforce issues.
• Experience working with local authorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage sickness absence cases from referral to resolution.
• Provide advice to managers on Sickness Absence Policy and procedures.
• Support welfare meetings, absence reviews, return-to-work discussions, and formal hearings.
• Liaise with Occupational Health and advise on recommendations and reasonable adjustments.
• Monitor absence trends and support attendance improvement plans.
• Maintain confidential case records.
• Manage a complex caseload including disciplinary, grievances, capability, probation, flexible working, dignity at work, workplace conflict.
• Provide managers with advice on process and risk mitigation.

Skills

Employee relations

Sickness absence management

Policy guidance

Coaching managers

Public sector experience

Education

CPD in HR & employment law

Job description

Lewisham, United Kingdom | Posted on 31/07/2026

Job Description

3 months contract with a local authority

Job Purpose

• The role is responsible for ensuring employee relations matters are managed effectively, consistently, and in accordance with employment legislation, Council policies, procedures, and best practice. A key focus of the role is supporting sickness absence management, improving attendance levels, reducing organisational risk, and promoting positive employee outcomes. The postholder will manage a broad range of employee relations cases while coaching managers to build confidence and capability in people management.

Key Duties/Accountabilities

• Manage short-term and long-term sickness absence cases from referral through to resolution.
• Provide advice and guidance to managers on the Council's Sickness Absence Management Policy and associated procedures.
• Support managers in conducting welfare meetings, absence review meetings, return-to-work discussions, and formal capability hearings.
• Liaise with Occupational Health providers and advise managers on recommendations, reasonable adjustments, rehabilitation plans, and Equality Act considerations.
• Monitor absence trends and support the implementation of attendance improvement plans.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records and documentation.
• Manage a complex caseload of employee relations matters including:
  • Disciplinary cases
  • Grievances
  • Capability and performance issues
  • Probation reviews
  • Flexible working requests
  • Dignity at work matters
  • Workplace conflict and conduct issues
• Provide managers with clear advice regarding process, risk mitigation, and potential outcomes.

Essential Experience Required

• Experience managing a wide range of complex employee relations cases independently.
• Significant experience supporting sickness absence management, including long-term absence and ill-health capability cases.
• Experience advising managers on employment policies, procedures, and workforce issues.
• Experience working with local authorities.

Essential Qualifications Required

• Evidence of continuous professional development in HR and employment law.

Additional Information

• Working hours: 35 hours per week
• Interviews will be approximately 30-40 minutes and will take place at Laurence House on 12th August. Further details to be confirmed.
• Work pattern: 2 to 3 days in the office, 2 days remote.
• The role closes on 7th August 2026.