HR Generalist - Employee Relations and Engagement Specialist

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid and retirement fund

Flexible remote work arrangements

Annual leave and sick leave

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced HR Generalist with a focus on Employee Relations and Engagement to join our client’s growing retail group in Queenstown. The role emphasizes fair policy application, conflict resolution, and initiatives to boost morale and retention.

You will partner with line managers, conduct investigations, advise on performance matters, and support onboarding, wellness programs, and HR policy development while operating with a high level of discretion and accuracy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR Management, Industrial Psychology, or related field.
• 3–5 years as HR Generalist with强 focus on employee relations and engagement.
• Solid knowledge of labour law and HR best practices.
• Proven ability to conduct investigations and manage grievances.

Responsibilities

• Manage employee relations issues and conduct investigations into grievances.
• Develop strategies to enhance engagement, satisfaction and retention.
• Advise line managers on performance, conduct and development.
• Ensure fair policies are applied across the organisation.
• Coordinate onboarding, exits and wellness initiatives.
• Maintain employee records and generate engagement reports.

Skills

Employee relations

Conflict resolution

Investigation

Communication

HRIS

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR Management

Tools

HRIS

MS Office Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a growing retail group, is seeking an experienced and people-focused HR Generalist with a specialization in Employee Relations and Engagement. This role is crucial for fostering a positive and productive work environment, ensuring fair and consistent application of HR policies, and driving employee satisfaction. The ideal candidate will be adept at conflict resolution, building strong relationships, and implementing initiatives that enhance employee morale and retention. This opportunity is based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape , providing a chance to make a tangible difference in a key regional business.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and resolve employee relations issues, conducting thorough investigations into grievances and disciplinary matters.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
• Advise line managers on best practices for managing employee performance, conduct, and development.
• Ensure consistent and fair application of company policies and procedures across the organization.
• Facilitate conflict resolution and mediation processes between employees and management.
• Support the HR team in onboarding new employees and facilitating exit processes.
• Contribute to the development and review of HR policies and procedures, ensuring legal compliance.
• Organize and coordinate employee wellness programs and social events.
• Maintain accurate employee records and generate reports related to employee relations and engagement metrics.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Psychology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in an HR Generalist role with a strong focus on employee relations and engagement.
• In-depth understanding of South African labor law (LRA, BCEA, EEA) and HR best practices.
• Proven experience in conducting workplace investigations, grievance handling, and disciplinary hearings.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong empathy and the ability to build trust and rapport with employees at all levels.
• Proficiency in HR Information Systems (HRIS) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work independently, manage sensitive information with discretion, and prioritize effectively.
• Experience working within the retail sector is a plus.
• Must be willing to work remotely with occasional site visits to Queenstown, Eastern Cape .

Benefits

• Competitive salary package, reflecting skills and experience.
• Company-sponsored medical aid and retirement fund.
• Generous annual leave and paid sick leave.
• Opportunities for professional development and further training in HR specializations.
• Flexible remote work arrangements.
• A supportive and team-oriented work environment.
• Chance to significantly impact employee experience and organizational culture.