Industrial Relations Specialist

Compass Medical Waste Services Recruitment; Durban; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Medical Waste seeks an experienced Industrial Relations Specialist to join our HR team, focusing on employee relations and compliance with South African labour laws. This role requires navigating high-volume routine matters and complex employee issues with discretion and integrity.

The ideal candidate holds an HR/IR degree or legal qualification, 3–5 years IR experience, and strong communication skills in English to support management, unions, and staff across the organization.

Qualifications

• Degree in Human Resource Management or Industrial Relations or a legal qualification.
• 3–5 years of experience in an industrial relations role.
• Superior knowledge of South African labour legislation.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information.
• Knowledge of NBCRFLI Main Agreement and exemption applications is an advantage.
• Integrity, sense of urgency and long-term commitment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with South African labour legislation and related laws
• Manage grievances and grievance procedures, ensuring timely resolution
• Collaborate with management and unions to maintain compliance with collective agreements
• Analyze and develop operating procedures related to industrial relations
• Develop, maintain, and update strike and contingency plans, monitor strike action, and advise on handling thereof
• Advise management on conflict resolution and disciplinary actions
• Oversee the development of industrial relations protocols, procedures, and handbooks
• Facilitate training sessions on industrial relations and labour laws for all staff levels
• Conduct internal audits of HR practices and continual improvement
• Prepare correspondence regarding arbitration and other IR matters
• Assist Initiators to compile evidence packs and CCMA bundles
• Attend CCMA matters as required

Skills

Industrial relations

Labor law knowledge

Grievance handling

Disciplinary actions

Confidentiality

English communication

Education

HR/IR degree or legal qualification

Job description

About Us

Compass Medical Waste is committed to providing safe and efficient medical waste management solutions. We pride ourselves on adhering to the highest standards of compliance and delivering excellent service. As we continue to grow, we seek a skilled Industrial Relations Specialist to join our dynamic Human Resources team.

Position Overview

We are looking for an experienced Industrial Relations Specialist responsible for managing employee relations, ensuring compliance with South African labour legislation, and fostering a positive workplace environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in industrial relations and the ability to navigate both high-volume routine matters and complex employee issues effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with South African labour legislation and related laws
• Manage grievances and grievance procedures, ensuring timely resolution
• Collaborate with management and unions to maintain compliance with collective agreements
• Analyze and develop operating procedures related to industrial relations
• Develop, maintain, and update strike and contingency plans, monitor strike action, and also advise on the handling thereof, including applications for strike interdicts.
• Advise management on conflict resolution and disciplinary actions
• Oversee the development of industrial relations protocols, procedures, and handbooks
• Facilitate training sessions on industrial relations and labour laws for all staff levels
• Conduct internal audits of HR practices and ensure continual improvement
• Prepare correspondence regarding online arbitrations/con-arb objections/jurisdictional rulings/organisational rights demands/objections to legal representation/subpoenaing of witnesses/applications to admit expert witnesses/interlocutaries/s189, s197, and other IR matters
• Assist Initiators to compile their evidence packs/ability to compile CCMA Bundles
• Attend CCMA matters as required

Expected Qualificationsand Qualities

• Degree in Human Resource Management or Industrial Relations or a legal qualification
• 3-5 years of experience in an industrial relations role, with proven practical exposure to the above key responsibilities.
• Superior knowledge of South African labour legislation
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information
• Ability to provide IR solutions
• Knowledge and application of the NBCRFLI Main Agreemenyt will be an advantage, and experience with Exemption Applications
• Integrity
• Sense of urgency
• Excellent work ethic
• Stability - prepared to join us for the long-haul