Employee Relations Officer

Job Introduction

Employee Relations Officer

Salary: £33,981 - £36,653 per annum plus excellent benefits

Location: Walsall, West Midlands (minimum two days in the office depending on business needs)

Contract: Full Time, Permanent, 37 hours per week

Closing Date: 5th December 2025

Interview Date: 15th & 16th December 2025

Do you thrive in an environment where you can coach managers, influence outcomes, and help shape a positive employee experience? Do you have experience of managing varied employee relations cases with particular skills in supporting with sickness absence?

We're looking for an Employee Relations Officer to join our People Services team, providing expert guidance and support to managers and colleagues across whg. In this role you'll develop strong, trusted relationships across the organisation and work closely with colleagues at all levels, including Trade Union representatives. You'll play a key part in ensuring our employee relations cases particularly sickness absence are managed consistently, fairly and in line with policy, legislation and best practice.

Main job responsibilities:

• Provide professional, pragmatic and consistent advice to managers and colleagues on a wide range of employee relations issues.
• Triage cases, offering initial advice, determining appropriate next steps, and escalating where needed.
• Manage a high volume of ER cases through to successful resolution, ensuring compliance with policies, procedures and employment legislation.
• Coach and empower managers to confidently manage short- and long-term sickness absence, improving compliance and reducing absence rates across the organisation.
• Analyse ER data, identify trends and contribute proactive recommendations to drive improvement.
• Support formal stages of ER processes, including investigations, note-taking, preparing documentation and coordinating meetings.
• Ensure timely referrals to Occupational Health and other support services.
• Work closely with HR Business Partners, the HR Advisor and the wider People Services team to support organisational priorities and share insights.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of management training and workshops relating to absence.

We're looking for someone who has:

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or significant relevant experience.
• Extensive experience of managing employee relations cases to successful completion.
• Experience of coaching managers to achieve behavioural change and grow confidence.
• Experience of supporting managers in leading employee relations processes, including experience of investigations.
• Experience in producing detailed, accurate and professional standard of documentation in support of case management.
• Up-to-date knowledge and understanding of employment legislation and case law.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to negotiate, persuade and influence at all levels.
• Experience of analysing and interrogating data
• A self-starter with a proactive approach and the ability to work independently with competing deadlines
• The ability to manage and prioritise a varied case load from end to end often with limited supervision.
• The resilience, confidence and professionalism to handle sensitive issues calmly and effectively.

What's in it for you?

In return, you will receive a competitive salary, 27 days annual leave (plus Christmas shut down), a defined benefit pension scheme, health cash plan, a range of shopping and leisure discounts.

We are output focused and flexible and believe in giving colleagues the right balance of autonomy and support to enable them to work to their full potential. Despite the high expectation for performance and delivery, we are committed to ensuring colleagues have a healthy work-life balance and able to work in agile ways which support them.

About us

At whg, we are dedicated to providing affordable homes across the Midlands and creating sustainable communities. We believe everyone has the right to a safe and secure home, which is the foundation for a successful life. Our values— Trustworthy, Respectful, Accountable, Collaborative and Excellent — guide our work and our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

We have been recognised as a top employer in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025. The awards celebrate the top employers in the UK who are leading the way in employee pride, job satisfaction and wellbeing, as well as reward and recognition.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to providing opportunities and support for all applicants, including those with disabilities.

Interested in joining our team? Visit our website and read Our 2030 Plan.

whg is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our customers and communities. Please note that for some roles, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check may be required as part of our pre-employment screening process.