Employee Relations Specialist

To assist in the management of attendance to support the achievement of targets for the reduction of sickness absence rates by providing advice to line managers in the interpretation and application of the Trusts sickness absence procedures and to ensure that these procedures are adhered to. To work with the Associate People Business Partner in analysing sickness data and trends for the Division, taking a proactive approach with advising line managers for case management next steps and actions. To assist managers with Occupational Health referrals and establish close working relationship with the Occupational Health Department To assist managers in writing, drafting and presenting management cases for sickness and other ER cases. To provide advice on the interpretation and application of Trust policies and procedures, employment legislation and Agenda for Change terms and conditions of service to managers and all grades of staff in the Trust. To be the first line ER contact for managers in designated care groups for all Employee Relations / HR queries including sickness, performance, conduct, Early Resolution (bullying & harassment and grievances), flexible working etc. To provide advice and support to managers on these matters To escalate any complex cases to Associate People Business Partner for guidance and, when necessary, for support from People Business Partner In discussion with the Associate People Business Partner, and People Business Partner, provide support in hearings for alleged minor misconduct as required. To establish and sustain credible and effective working relationships with managers and staff of all levels, departments in the Trust such as Occupational Health and Finance and Trade Unions and external professional organisations. As and when required, to undertake any other duties such as other non-complex ER activities and project work to ensure first class ER service is delivered. To be responsible for managing own workload and updating professional knowledge with the support and guidance of Associate People Business Partner, and People Business Partner To advise and support managers in addressing all aspects of staff attendance issues and Occupational Health referrals working closely with the Occupational Health Department. To continually review working practices and where necessary make recommendations to the People Business Partners and Associate People Business Partner and implement changes. To participate and upon request to take the lead in special projects, studies, and initiatives for the team and/or department as required To work as a full member of the People Team and to provide cover and support as required. To undertake any other duties as appropriate to the grade. To deal with day-to-day informal complaints made by managers, staff or individuals external to the Trust. Support with the job matching process - Job match and evaluate job descriptions in accordance with the Agenda for Change job matching process and regulations. Accurately and promptly record the details of job matching Work in partnership with Staff Side representatives to ensure fair and consistent job matching and evaluation To ensure that all ER activity is logged in an accurate and timely manner onto Selenity/Assure (ER Tracker) system, ESR, and any internal spreadsheets, and that information systems are maintained in a timely and accurate manner, To produce ER activity data, and reports including from the above systems, and to be held accountable for the reports and any trends displayed To attend regular sickness case conference meetings within the Division, providing updated sickness reports to discuss formal and informal cases. To attend regular divisional meetings where required to report on ER data, answer ER questions and be the ER link for the divisional meetings Job description Job responsibilities To assist in the management of attendance to support the achievement of targets for the reduction of sickness absence rates by providing advice to line managers in the interpretation and application of the Trusts sickness absence procedures and to ensure that these procedures are adhered to. To work with the Associate People Business Partner in analysing sickness data and trends for the Division, taking a proactive approach with advising line managers for case management next steps and actions. To assist managers with Occupational Health referrals and establish close working relationship with the Occupational Health Department To assist managers in writing, drafting and presenting management cases for sickness and other ER cases. To provide advice on the interpretation and application of Trust policies and procedures, employment legislation and Agenda for Change terms and conditions of service to managers and all grades of staff in the Trust. To be the first line ER contact for managers in designated care groups for all Employee Relations / HR queries including sickness, performance, conduct, Early Resolution (bullying & harassment and grievances), flexible working etc. To provide advice and support to managers on these matters To escalate any complex cases to Associate People Business Partner for guidance and, when necessary, for support from People Business Partner In discussion with the Associate People Business Partner, and People Business Partner, provide support in hearings for alleged minor misconduct as required. To establish and sustain credible and effective working relationships with managers and staff of all levels, departments in the Trust such as Occupational Health and Finance and Trade Unions and external professional organisations. As and when required, to undertake any other duties such as other non-complex ER activities and project work to ensure first class ER service is delivered. To be responsible for managing own workload and updating professional knowledge with the support and guidance of Associate People Business Partner, and People Business Partner To advise and support managers in addressing all aspects of staff attendance issues and Occupational Health referrals working closely with the Occupational Health Department. To continually review working practices and where necessary make recommendations to the People Business Partners and Associate People Business Partner and implement changes. To participate and upon request to take the lead in special projects, studies, and initiatives for the team and/or department as required To work as a full member of the People Team and to provide cover and support as required. To undertake any other duties as appropriate to the grade. To deal with day-to-day informal complaints made by managers, staff or individuals external to the Trust. Support with the job matching process - Job match and evaluate job descriptions in accordance with the Agenda for Change job matching process and regulations. Accurately and promptly record the details of job matching Work in partnership with Staff Side representatives to ensure fair and consistent job matching and evaluation To ensure that all ER activity is logged in an accurate and timely manner onto Selenity/Assure (ER Tracker) system, ESR, and any internal spreadsheets, and that information systems are maintained in a timely and accurate manner, To produce ER activity data, and reports including from the above systems, and to be held accountable for the reports and any trends displayed To attend regular sickness case conference meetings within the Division, providing updated sickness reports to discuss formal and informal cases. To attend regular divisional meetings where required to report on ER data, answer ER questions and be the ER link for the divisional meetings