Back to search
3 months contract with a local authority
Job Purpose
- The role is responsible for ensuring employee relations matters are managed effectively, consistently, and in accordance with employment legislation, Council policies, procedures, and best practice. A key focus of the role is supporting sickness absence management, improving attendance levels, reducing organisational risk, and promoting positive employee outcomes. The postholder will manage a broad range of employee relations cases while coaching managers to build confidence and capability in people management.
Key Duties/Accountabilities
- Manage short-term and long-term sickness absence cases from referral through to resolution.
- Provide advice and guidance to managers on the Council's Sickness Absence Management Policy and associated procedures.
- Support managers in conducting welfare meetings, absence review meetings, return-to-work discussions, and formal capability hearings.
- Liaise with Occupational Health providers and advise managers on recommendations, reasonable adjustments, rehabilitation plans, and Equality Act considerations.
- Monitor absence trends and support the implementation of attendance improvement plans.
- Maintain accurate and confidential case records and documentation.
- Manage a complex caseload of employee relations matters including:
- Disciplinary cases
- Grievances
- Capability and performance issues
- Probation reviews
- Flexible working requests
- Dignity at work matters
- Workplace conflict and conduct issues
- Disciplinary cases
- Provide managers with clear advice regarding process, risk mitigation, and potential outcomes.
Essential Experience Required
- Experience managing a wide range of complex employee relations cases independently.
- Significant experience supporting sickness absence management, including long-term absence and ill-health capability cases.
- Experience advising managers on employment policies, procedures, and workforce issues.
- Experience working with local authorities.
Essential Qualifications Required
- CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent HR qualification), or significant demonstrable experience in employee relations.
- Evidence of continuous professional development in HR and employment law.
Additional Information
- Working hours: 35 hours per week
- Location: 1 Catford Road, Catford, London, Greater London, SE6 4RU, United Kingdom
- Interviews will be approximately 30-40 minutes and will take place at Laurence House on 12th August. Further details to be confirmed.
- Work pattern: 2 to 3 days in the office, 2 days remote.
- Payment schedule: Bi-weekly
- The role closes on 7th August 2026, apply ASAP.
Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site
