People Advisor - Employee Relations and Engagement

at  Naomi House

The People Advisor, Employee Relations and Engagement plays a pivotal role in supporting the Trust by providing expert advice and guidance on all employee relations matters. This role will ensure compliance with UK employment law, promote a fair and inclusive workplace, and drive continuous improvement in employee relations processes. Reporting to the People and Volunteering Manager, the People Advisor will manage a range of casework, support managers in handling complex employee relations issues, and contribute to a positive employee experience that aligns with the organisation’s mission and values.
Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations Case Management

• Act as the first point of contact for employee relations queries, providing accurate and pragmatic advice to managers and employees on policies, procedures, and UK employment law.
• Manage and resolve a range of employee relations cases, including:
• Grievances
• Disciplinary matters
• Performance management, including failed probations.
• Absence management (including long-term and short-term sickness)
• Flexible working requests.
• Appeals and consultations.
• Conduct thorough investigations, including interviewing relevant parties, gathering evidence, and producing detailed, impartial reports.
• Ensure all cases are handled in a fair, consistent, and timely manner while adhering to internal policies and legal requirements.
• Issue all communication and correspondence, as appropriate.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records for all employee relations matters, ensuring compliance with GDPR.

  Manager Coaching and Support

• Provide coaching, and advice to line managers to build their confidence and capability in handling employee relations issues effectively.

• Support managers in conducting performance reviews, addressing conduct or capability concerns, and managing difficult conversations.
• Develop tools, guides, and resources for managers to enhance their understanding of employment law, organisational policies, and best practices.

Policy Development and Compliance

• Assist in the review, development, and implementation of HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with UK employment law and alignment with organisational goals.
• Provide recommendations to update policies in response to legislative changes, case law, and best practices.
• Monitor and ensure adherence to policies, such as Safer Recruitment, safeguarding, and equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with employment law, charity sector standards, and organisational policies.

Absence Management and Well-being

• Oversee the management of sickness absence, including monitoring trends, making occupational health referrals, and developing return-to-work plans.
• Provide advice on reasonable adjustments and support employees with disabilities or health conditions, ensuring compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
• Working with the wider team, develop and promote well-being initiatives to support employees’ mental and physical health, including stress management and work-life balance programmes.

Change Management and Organisational Restructuring

• Provide support during organisational changes, such as restructures, or redundancies.
• Assist with consultation processes, including preparing documentation, supporting managers, and ensuring fair and transparent communication with employees.
• Conduct consultations and ensure compliance with statutory requirements and internal processes.

Engagement and Workplace Culture

• Contribute to promoting a positive workplace culture by supporting initiatives related to employee engagement, recognition, and retention.
• Conduct exit interviews, analyse trends, and provide insights to improve retention and the overall employee experience.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all People practices, ensuring the organisation is a welcoming and inclusive place to work.
• Working in collaboration with the Marketing team, develop and coordinate internal communications, including writing and sharing content through the intranet, to enhance employee engagement.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Monitor and report on employee relations metrics, such as absence rates, turnover, and case outcomes, to identify trends and recommend improvements.
• Use HR data to provide actionable insights and support decision-making by senior leaders.

Person Specification:

Essential Skills & Experience

• Case Management Expertise: Demonstrable experience managing a wide range of employee relations cases, including grievance, long and short-term sickness absence, disciplinary, absence, and performance management.
• UK Employment Law Knowledge: Strong understanding of UK employment law and its practical application in HR policies and practices.
• Advisory Experience: Proven ability to provide sound advice to managers and employees on employee relations matters.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly and confidently.
• Coaching and Mentoring: Experience in supporting and developing managers’ capabilities in handling people management issues.
• Policy and Process Management: Experience in developing and implementing HR policies and processes, with a focus on continuous improvement.

• HR Metrics Analysis: Ability to interpret HR data and provide insights to inform employee relations and engagement strategies.

  Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience working within the charity or non-profit sector.

• Familiarity with Safer Recruitment practices, safeguarding policies, and charity sector regulations.
• Experience in developing and delivering training or workshops for managers.
• Knowledge of EDI principles and their application in HR practices.

Personal Attributes

• Approachable and empathetic, with a genuine commitment to employee well-being and inclusion.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex situations and make informed decisions.
• Detail-oriented and organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proactive and solution-oriented, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to remain calm under pressure and manage sensitive situations with discretion.

Hours and Benefits
This is a permanent, full-time role working 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday.
Salary - £32,000 FTE, dependent upon experience.
Benefits include flexible working options, 28-days holiday, group pension scheme, life assurance, Health cash plan and the opportunity to work in an organisation where every job matters.

Please refer the Job description for details