HR Assistant

Confidential; North East, North Tyneside; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a temporary HR Assistant in South Tyneside to support employee relations, recruitment, onboarding and HR administration. Reporting to the HR Manager, you will deliver a professional, legally compliant HR service and work closely with managers across the business.

The role requires a minimum of three years’ HR Assistant/HR Administration experience, knowledge of UK employment law, and proficiency with HRIS systems (People First or similar).

Qualifications

• At least three years' experience in HR Assistant or HR Administration.
• Experience supporting employee relations: absence, disciplinary, grievance and probation.
• Basic knowledge of UK employment law, including redundancy and TUPE.
• Experience drafting HR correspondence, meeting invitations and manager scripts.
• Experience using an HRIS (People First or similar).
• Able to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide first‑line HR advice to managers on attendance and other day‑to‑day employee relations matters.
• Support disciplinary, grievance, absence management, flexible working and capability processes.
• Prepare letters, meeting packs, scripts and other HR documentation.
• Take accurate notes during formal meetings and guide managers through procedures.
• Assist with recruitment activity and onboarding administration.
• Complete pre‑employment checks and coordinate new starter administration.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR files.
• Produce HR correspondence and management information.
• Support payroll administration and monitor lifecycle activities.
• Handle telephone and email enquiries professionally.

Skills

HR knowledge

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Tools

People First

Job description

The Opportunity:

• Temporary HR Assistant
• - Location: South Tyneside
• - Salary: £28,500 per annum, depending on skills, qualifications and HR experience
• - Contract: Temporary, 2 to 3 months
• - Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, 37.5 hours per week
• - Working arrangement: Primarily office-based, with some home working potentially required depending on business needs

Are you an experienced HR Assistant looking for your next temporary opportunity?

My client is seeking a confident and proactive HR Assistant to provide comprehensive support across employee relations, recruitment, onboarding and HR administration. Reporting to the HR Manager, this is a varied role where you will work closely with managers across the business, offering first‑line guidance and helping to deliver a professional, consistent and legally compliant HR service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide first‑line HR advice to managers on attendance, probation, performance, conduct and other day‑to‑day employee relations matters.
• Support disciplinary, grievance, absence management, flexible working and capability processes.
• Prepare letters, meeting packs, scripts and other HR documentation tailored to individual cases.
• Take accurate notes during formal meetings and guide managers through company procedures.
• Support organisational change, restructures, redundancy consultations and TUPE‑related administration.
• Assist with recruitment activity, including job descriptions, adverts, candidate communication and recruitment administration.
• Complete pre‑employment checks, including right‑to‑work and DBS checks.
• Coordinate new starter administration, onboarding, inductions and probation reviews.
• Maintain accurate employee records, HR systems, spreadsheets and HR files.
• Produce HR correspondence, reports and management information.
• Support payroll administration and monitor employee lifecycle activities.
• Manage telephone and email enquiries professionally, including several busy inboxes.

About You:

We are looking for someone who can combine sound HR knowledge with excellent organisation, attention to detail and a willingness to support high‑volume administrative activity.

You will ideally have:

• A minimum of three years' experience in an HR Assistant or HR Administration role, with this being your current or most recent position.
• Experience supporting employee relations matters, including absence, disciplinary, grievance and probation processes.
• Basic knowledge of UK employment law, including redundancy consultation and TUPE principles.
• Experience drafting HR correspondence, meeting invitations, outcome letters and manager scripts.
• Confidence advising and constructively challenging managers when appropriate.
• Experience using an HR information system, ideally People First or a similar platform.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to handle confidential and sensitive information professionally.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and a process‑driven approach.

Knowledge of HR best practice, further employee relations experience and a full UK driving licence would also be beneficial.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a busy HR function and gain exposure to a broad range of employee relations, recruitment and HR operational activity. The role would suit an experienced HR Assistant who can quickly build relationships, confidently support managers and balance advisory work with essential HR administration.