Senior Manager: Employee Relations (Everyday Banking)

at  Absa Bank Limited

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.
With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.
Job Summary
The purpose of the role is to optimise and deliver business performance and effectiveness between employees and Absa Everyday Banking Cluster by managing and maintaining a positive work environment, addressing workplace issues, and promoting open communication and cooperation between all parties, including recognized unions and Absa Group Employee Relations.
Job Description

Key Accountabilities:

• Employment Relations (ER) Strategy – Design, implement and manage processes involved in implementation of the employee relations strategy for the Cluster, aligned to the HC Function strategy.
• Monitors and reports on specific ER outcomes and overall trends that impact on the ER strategy and the business decisions.
• Relationships – Represent Absa in all engagements with employee and labor organizations, and other relevant stakeholders Managing the processes involved in supporting a constructive and cordial relationship with unions,. Collaborate with legal counsel, business and other internal stakeholders and subject matter experts in the preparation for and participation in negotiation with employee and labor groups.
• Grievances and conflict –ensure that matters are managed fairly, consistently, speedily and efficiently.
• Disciplinary cases - ensure that matters are managed fairly, consistently, speedily and efficiently.
• Monitors and advises to provide site capability and deliver processes to effectively implement all ER/IR policies and processes, including creating awareness thereof.
• Restructuring – Plays a prominent advisory role to the organization as it pertains to proposed restructures/operating model reviews impacting structures. In partnership with relevant internal experts, create toolkits and templates that support business in the process. Ensure that, where required, appropriate consultations with Unions are managed timely and efficiently.
• Maintains effective working relationships across the organisation
• Continuously and proactively monitor labour relations climate and identify risks and strategies to mitigate the risk.
• Provide advice on all labour related matters and represent the organisation at relevant forums, e.g., CCMA
• Facilitate compliance with all labour legislations, Regulations, Code of Practice and relevant laws as developed via case law, from time to time.
• Research and explain laws and legal affairs concerning employment to managers, supervisors, and employees.
• Build ER capability across the HC Function community and broader stakeholder groups.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the Bank to ensure a seamless and efficient Employee Relations dispensation.
• Advise and train the HC Function community and people managers in best employee relations practices and strategies for managing supervisor problems and employee grievances. Develop further training as needed and support the training and development requirements for the community.

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor`s Degrees and/or Advanced Diplomas - Business, Commerce and Management Studies
• A Degree in Industrial Relations or Human Resource Management
• Postgraduate degree in Employee Relations or Labour Law is advantageous.

Preferred Experience:

• 10-12 years of relevant experience in HR, of which at least 5 should have been with specific focus on ER and/or Change Management
• Knowledge and understanding of the relevant acts and bodies (e.g., Labour Relations Act; BCEA; EEA; Disciplinary procedures; trade union consultation)
• Knowledge of CCMA/Bargaining processes.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to function independently and under pressure.
• Knowledge of contemporary industrial relations dynamics, case law, labour legislation, trends and trade union matters
• Experience of working within unionised environments within the financial services industry or similar.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strategic Thinking
• Policy Implementation
• Leadership and decision making
• Employee Engagement
• Employee and Labour Relations

Education
Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)
Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.
Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertise

Please refer the Job description for details