Manager - Employee Relations.Bayobab

MTN Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 000 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications company in Johannesburg seeks a Manager - Employee Relations to enhance workforce productivity and satisfaction. Key responsibilities include resolving conflicts, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and advising managers on HR matters. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of HR experience and a relevant bachelor's degree. Excellent communication and problem-solving skills are critical for success in this role.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in Human Resources required.
• Experience working across diverse cultures and geographies.

Responsibilities

• Foster positive relationships and ensure fair treatment of employees.
• Manage employee relations issues, grievances, and conflicts.
• Ensure compliance with labour laws and company policies.
• Analyze employee relations trends and suggest improvements.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability to comprehend and apply laws and regulations

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Minimum 4 Year bachelor’s degree in HR, Legal, or Business Administration

Job description

Mission / Core purpose of the Job

The Manager - Employee Relations will Foster a positive and productive work environment by building strong relationships between employees and management, ensuring fair and consistent treatment, and aligning employee needs with organizational goals.

• To serve as a trusted advisor and mediator between employees, managers, and leadership, promoting open communication and mutual respect.
• To ensure compliance with labour laws, company policies, and ethical standards while minimizing organizational risk.
• To enhance employee engagement, trust, and satisfaction, contributing to retention and performance.
• To equip managers with tools and guidance for handling employee concerns, grievances, performance issues, and workplace conflicts.
• To align employee relations strategies with business objectives, ensuring a healthy workplace culture that drives productivity and organizational success.

Key Performance Areas : Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)

The Manager - Employee Relations will be accountable to the following objectives :

Employee Relations Management

• Establish, maintain, and foster good relationships between the company and employees, to boost the wellbeing of employees.
• Serve as the primary point of contact as a Centre of Excellence for employee relations issues, grievances, and conflicts.
• Investigate workplace complaints and concerns, ensuring fair, consistent, and timely resolution.
• Mediate disputes between employees and management or among team members.
• Provide guidance and support to managers on handling employee performance, conduct, and disciplinary issues.
• Consults with line management, providing HR guidance when appropriate.
• Manages and resolves complex employee relations issues.
• Conducts effective, thorough, and objective investigations.
• Respond to employees’ queries and manage all aspects of issues across the employee lifecycle such as disciplinaries, Grievances, PIP processes, redundancies, and support the HR leadership with relevant projects.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Partner and collaborate with the legal department as needed / required.
• Serve as a liaison between HR, legal, and leadership on employee relations matters.
• Support organisational change management initiatives from an ER perspective.
• Design and deliver training sessions on employee relations topics for Managers and employees when required.
• Represent the company at External Labour Dispute Bodies / Bargaining Councils when required.

Resignations and Separation

• Oversee and advise on the end-to-end decentralised separation process and work as a centre of excellence to other operating companies.
• Consolidate the feedback on leavers and exit interviews collective feedback
• Analyse and review the attrition trends and work alongside HRBPs to implement the retention strategy effectively

Policy and Compliance

• Ensure all employee relations practices comply with labour laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Develop, implement, and update HR policies and procedures.
• Monitor legal and regulatory changes that impact employee relations.
• Review and Provide employee relations related policies guidance and interpretation.
• Mange, monitor and control all company employee’s attendance and leave through attendance system and HRIS leave management system (HCM).

Performance and Engagement

• Support initiatives to enhance employee engagement, motivation, and retention.
• Partner with managers to address performance issues constructively.
• Analyse employee relations trends, metrics, and surveys to identify areas for improvement.
• Play consultancy role day-to-day performance management guidance to line management (., coaching, counselling, career development, disciplinary actions)

HR Advisory & Coaching

• Coach managers and leaders on effective people management and conflict resolution strategies.
• Analyses trends and metrics in partnership with the HR teams to develop solutions, programs, and policies.
• Take Part of Onboarding process effectively in coordination with internal stakeholders
• Act as HRBP where required and build strong employee experience to improve employee engagement

Reporting & Analytics

• Maintain records of employee relations cases and ensure confidentiality.
• Prepare reports on employee relations metrics, trends, and recommendations for leadership.
• Track disciplinary actions, terminations, and appeals to identify recurring issues.

Culture & Engagement Initiatives

• Works closely with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase engagement, productivity and retention.
• Promote a positive workplace culture aligned with company values.
• Support programs related to employee recognition, wellness, and organisational development.
• Support social events agenda and events.

Other Operations

• Insure the proper Follow up of employees’ requests and issues and the reply to their inquiries and complaints on a timely manner (HR helpdesk, emails).
• Record and maintain new employees’ files and documents related to Employee Relations.
• Prepare and issue internal communication relating to employee relations matters to share with the organisation, though the scheduled quarterly meetings and whenever there is business need.
• Conducts weekly / monthly meetings with respective business units as required
• Issuing employees letters relevant to Employee Relations.
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time

Job Requirements : (Education, Experience and Competencies)

Education

• Minimum 4 Year bachelor’s degree in equivalent specialization (HR, Legal or Business Administration)
• English and additional language is an advantage.

Experience

• 5+ years’ experience in Human Resources
• Worked across diverse culture and geographies.

Other :

• High level of confidentiality to lead complex investigations or high-risk employee relations cases.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies.
• Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization’s hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, and the administrative practices related to those factors.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.