HR Employee Relations Business Partner

4 weeks ago

Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom WTW Full time

This is an exciting time to join HR within WTW. We are creating a new ER function with a unique opportunity to be at the start of our journey, helping to shape, drive and guide how we operate. We offer the ability to work with likeminded individuals and the space to share your knowledge, expertise and innovation, in how we manage ER for over 6000 colleagues within the GB region.

Reporting to the Head of Employee Relations GB, the Employee Relations Lead manages end to end employee relations case management for policy and procedural issues for a key Willis Towers Watson businesses division.

This role is responsible for more complex employee relations issues, interfacing with leaders, managers/their direct reports other HR Business Partners, Talent Advisors and CoEs to help establish clear protocols in areas such as performance management, equal pay, harassment, disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, whistleblowing, conflict resolution, changes to terms and conditions (where needed) and regulatory requirements (conduct rule breaches) amongst others.

The role also provides oversight and guidance to the Employee Relations Specialists allowing you to help shape how the team develops and moves forward.

Sound good? We think so and we look forward to hearing from you

The Role

This position provides oversight and guidance to the Employee Relations Specialists and will be responsible for more complex employee relations issues, interfacing with leaders, managers and HR Generalists and Talent Advisors to help establish repeatable and defendable practices in areas such as performance management, equal pay, harassment, disciplines, grievances, absence management, whistleblowing, conflict resolution and changes to terms and conditions, as applicable, and conduct rule breaches.

The Employee Relations Lead reports to the Head of Employee Relations GB and ensures ER key processes are aligned to address local needs and regulatory requirements.

  • Provide on-going guidance and supervision to the Employee Relations Specialists to ensure effective, legally compliant resolutions are established efficiently and within company guidelines and a reasonable time frame.
  • Be the subject matter expert when it comes to ER, leading the team in best practice, case law and in line with current legislation.
  • Handle more complex investigations/issues and escalate as needed to Legal/Compliance and Head of Employee Relations GB.
  • Work closely with HR Generalists and key stakeholders ensuring effective case management and possible prevention strategies.
  • Provide feedback to further the development of Employee Relations Specialists
  • Manage workflow as needed based on capacity and arrange contingencies to arrange sufficient coverage at times of peak workload.
  • Focus on opportunities for efficiency across lines of business and functions around managing ER issues.
  • Identify and address issues, trends, and gaps related to areas such as hiring, onboarding, leaves of absence, time off, contractor issues.
  • Collaborate with Employee Relations team to establish and embed employee relations processes as new policies are developed and as part of on-going process improvement efforts.
  • Provide other support as needed within Employee Relations team for projects and peak capacity periods as well as broader HR team priorities.
  • Educate by coaching and upskilling members of the ER team, the wider HR team, Managers and colleagues in all ER case work and employment law changes, improving performance and productivity.
  • Be the point of escalation for any regulatory breaches, such as conduct rules or wider SMCR escalations.
  • Prepare documentation for any employee tribunal claims and work with the Head of Employee Relations and Legal on all such cases.

The Requirements

  • Significant experience across multiple HR disciplines in large companies with proven success and focus on employee relations, HR processes, policy development and coaching of managers.
  • Proven ability managing others, including ability to hold team members accountable and influence others to ensure such achievement of objectives.
  • Strong knowledge of current employment legalisation and best practice including ET claims
  • Knowledge of compliance areas for HR processes and programs, such as, GDPR, SMCR.
  • Proven success working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and self-sufficient.
  • Strong collaboration and influencing skills.
  • Creative problem solver and manages through ambiguity.
  • Demonstrates agility and ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in human resources, business, or related field preferred.

Equal Opportunities

At WTW, we believe difference makes us stronger. We want our workforce to reflect the different and varied markets we operate in and to build a culture of inclusivity that makes colleagues feel welcome, valued and empowered to bring their whole selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive work environment throughout our organisation. We embrace all types of diversity.

At WTW, we trust you to know your work and the people, tools and environment you need to be successful. The majority of our colleagues work in a "hybrid" style, with a mix of remote, in-person and in-office interactions dependent on the needs of the team, role and clients. Our flexibility is rooted in trust and "hybrid" is not a one-size-fits-all solution.


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