Specialist: Employee Relations

Transnet Company; Durban; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Transnet Pipelines in Durban Central is seeking an experienced Specialist: Employee Relations to render ER support to management and staff, ensuring adherence to policies and fair processes. You will handle investigations, grievances, disciplinaries, and union engagement, while coordinating reporting and SAP updates.

The role requires strength in policy interpretation, dispute resolution, and partnering with unions and provincial teams to promote a harmonious workplace under the Labour Relations

Qualifications

• 3-year Degree / National Higher Diploma in HR or equivalent Labour Relations qualification is required.
• A post graduate qualification will be an advantage.
• A minimum of 8 years relevant experience in Labour Relations is required.
• Requirement of Trust and Honesty in handling Employee Relations matters.
• Experience in major transformation and change management initiatives.
• Practical experience of the procedures and functioning of the Bargaining Council and the CCMA
• Management and Leadership Skills
• Driver’s license code 08
• Travel to regions across the country as and when required

Responsibilities

• Implement, communicate and ensure compliance with collective agreements concluded between Transnet and recognised unions, including management of stakeholders both internal and external.
• Provide policy interpretation, reviews, advice and capacitate line management and employees on People Management policies and assist with policy formulation.
• Coordinate ER internal controls such as monthly update of ER SAP, compile People Management, industrial action, PFMA and ER weekly/monthly reports.
• Attend on behalf of Transnet Pipelines various ER forums such as BCM, EE Forum and SD Committee meetings, as well as industrial action meetings.
• Arrange and assist in taking minutes and recordings of NBC and LBC, EE and SD meetings.

Skills

Leadership

HR knowledge

Communication

Relationship building

Analytical skills

Education

3-year Degree / National Higher Diploma in HR or Labour Relations

Post-graduate qualification

Tools

HCM SAP

Job description

Specialist: Employee Relations

Preference will be given to Persons with Disability (PWD)

The closing date is on 06/11/2026. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that HR has received the application before the closing date of the advertisement.

Operating Division: Transnet Pipelines

Employee Group: Permanent

Location: Durban Central

Grade: F

Reference: req6113

Position Purpose

Employee Relations (ER) Specialist will be responsible to render an ER function, provide advice and support to Transnet Pipelines (TPL) management, employees and the business in order to promoteharmonious working environment by handling and reporting on investigation, suspension, grievance, PFMA violations, dispute and disciplinary processes and applying policies and procedures in compliance to Transnet policies and applicable legislation, and also ensure that collective bargaining and engagement processes are in place and effective.

Position Outputs

• Implement, communicate and ensure compliance with collective agreements concluded between Transnet and recognised unions, including management of stakeholders both internal and external,
• Provide policy interpretation, reviews, advice and capacitate line management and employees on People Management policies and assist with policy formulation,
• Coordinate ER internal controls such as monthly update of ER SAP, compile People Management, industrial action, PFMA and ER weekly/monthly reports,
• Attend on behalf of Transnet Pipelines various ER forums such as Business Continuity Management (BCM) meetings, Employment Equity (EE) Forum and Skills Development (SD) Committee meetings, as well as industrial action meetings,
• Arrange and assist in taking (including drafting) minutes and recordings of National Business Committee (NBC) and Local Business Committee (LBC), EE and SD meetings,
• Represent Transnet Pipelines at Transnet Bargaining Council and CCMA mediation and arbitration processes, including disciplinary and grievance meetings as well as any other forum as determined by Senior Specialist: ER and Head People Management,
• Coordinate and facilitate processes such as suspensions, disciplinary, grievances and other dispute resolution processes to resolve conflicts, including assisting in taking minutes and recording of the said meetings,
• Investigate ER and tip-offs reported cases and submit recommendations to management,
• Provide assistance, support and advises to management, People Management community and employees on ER matters.

Qualifications and Experience

• 3-year Degree / National Higher Diploma in HR or equivalent Labour Relations qualification is required,
• A post graduate qualification will be an advantage.
• A minimum of 8 years relevant experience in Labour Relations is required.
• Requirement of Trust and Honesty in handling Employee Relations matters,
• Experience in major transformation and change management initiatives,
• Practical experience of the procedures and functioning of the Bargaining Council and the CCMA
• Management and Leadership SkillsStandard Job Requirements• Driver’s license code 08• Travel to regions across the country as and when required

Competencies

• Extensive Knowledge of ER, policies and the implementation thereof.
• Knowledge of relevant agreements.
• Knowledge of Transnet property operations.
• Knowledge of labour legislation (LRA, BCEA, EEA, etc.)
• Dispute resolution process (CCMA & Bargaining Council)
• Extensive knowledge of management of discipline and grievance process.
• Understanding of personnel administration.
• Knowledge of HCM SAP
• Accurate reporting
• Project Management.
• Sound knowledge of HR policies and procedures
• Report writing skills and computer literacy

Skills Required

• Leadership skills.
• Good understanding of Human Resources
• Accurate reporting and communication skills
• Relationship building, both internally and externally.
• Developing internal and external networks.
• Empowerment of people.
• Strong analytical abilities
• Legal writing and drafting skills: opinion, etc.
• Communications ability both verbal and written.
• Highly numerate
• Able to facilitate discussion at Management level.
• Confident and able to challenge existing bases.
• Fully computer literate.
• Investigative skills with a keen eye for detail.

Equity Statement

Preference will be given to suitably qualified Applicants who are members of the designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Plan and Targets of the Organisation/Operating Division.