2-3 months contract with a Southwest England based Local Authority
Job Summary:
We need to build capacity within the HR Advisory Service and require an experienced HR Officer to undertake casework over the next few months.
Who can act as a trusted advisor and demonstrate a track record of delivering effective HR operational practice.
The HR Officer must be experienced in managing HR Casework and be able to hit the ground running with a varied caseload which may include sickness, grievances and disciplinaries.
They will be required to advise on Somerset Council policies alongside protected arrangements under TUPE Regulations.
The Officer will provide advisory support to Managers and will also be required to engage with employees and Trade Unions.
Key Duties/Accountabilities:
Provide professional advice, guidance and support to managers, headteachers and governors across the Council on a wide range of employment and related issues.
Deliver options, progress and solutions on a range of casework including (but not exhaustive) recruitment, performance, investigations, disciplinary, grievances and interpretation of terms and conditions of service.
Work closely with managers, headteachers and governors on resolving key business and people led problems and issues by putting forward and considering a range of innovative solutions which meet business requirements whilst complying with policy, employment law and statutory regulations.
Support and guide service managers in dealing with investigations and disciplinary and other conduct matters to support and protect the interests of the business and to ensure due process and fairness.
Support Senior HR Advisors and other managers in conducting employee relations, consultations and collective bargaining with employees and trade union/professional body representatives.
Challenge existing practices and thinking and influence local service managers on matters concerning people management whilst recognising the requirements of corporate policy and practice and the Council's new operating model
Undertake HR and OD policy and project work as and when required in conjunction with others from both within the HR and OD service and services across the Council. Ensure that policies are updated in line with legislation changes and best' practice.
Contribute to service led projects and business initiatives from a people management perspective. May lead employment-based work streams.
Support and guide managers in their effective deployment of people including people management best practice and to support managers generally in their managerial and business responsibilities.
Provides professional advice, guidance, options and recommendations to a range of Senior and Service Managers in a range of settings from private informal one-to-one briefings through to full formal hearings.
Frequent provision of advice, information and interpretation on a wide range of employment issues and terms and conditions matters to managers, groups of employees and individual employees.
Regular contact with Trade Union and Professional Body representatives to provide information and negotiate resolutions.
The postholder will have no line management responsibility but will undertake a range of mentoring and management development tasks to improve the people management capability of service managers.
The postholder will from time to time undertakes project management roles which may have temporary funding allocations.
Essential Experience Required:
Candidate must have proven experience and knowledge in high level, complex - disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence and capability cases. As a result of HR Advisory's current work priorities, we are not looking for candidates with recruitment, onboarding experience, or HR Admin!!
Proven experience in an Employee Relations operational HR role within a large organisation with a diverse workforce.
Proven experience in managing and advising on complex cases including, but not exclusive to sickness, disciplinary, grievance and equalities. And supporting at Hearings and Appeals as required.
In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation and recognised best' HR practice.
Be able to effectively communicate on complex issues at all levels in an appropriate and concise manner, both orally and in writing.
Essential Qualifications Required:
Relevant degree/ professional qualification or experience.
Additional information to note:
Somerset Council supports Hybrid working, Requirement to work in County Hall, Taunton minimum 2 days per week and to travel around Somerset - Access to personal vehicle desirable.
The closing date for this position is ASAP