HR Adviser (PO2)

Employee Relations (ER) Caseworker Responsible to: Senior HR Business Partner Summary Provide expert employee relations advice and case management support to managers across the Council, ensuring compliance with employment law, Council policies, and best practice. The role has a primary focus on sickness absence management, supporting attendance improvement, reducing organisational risk, and delivering positive employee outcomes. Key Responsibilities Sickness Absence Management •    Manage short and long-term sickness absence cases from referral to conclusion. •    Advise managers on the Sickness Absence Management Policy and Procedure. •    Support absence review meetings, welfare meetings, return-to-work discussions, and formal capability processes. •    Liaise with Occupational Health and advise on recommendations, reasonable adjustments, and Equality Act considerations. •    Monitor absence trends, implement attendance improvement plans, and maintain accurate case records. Employee Relations Casework •    Manage a range of employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance, probation, flexible working, workplace conflict, and dignity at work matters. •    Provide practical advice on process, risk, and outcomes. •    Draft case correspondence and support formal hearings and appeals. Management Support •    Coach and support managers on employee relations policies and procedures. •    Assist with investigations and formal meetings. •    Promote early intervention and informal resolution where appropriate. Employment Law and Policy •    Provide advice on employment legislation, ACAS guidance, and HR best practice. •    Ensure cases are handled fairly, consistently, and in line with policy. •    Support policy development and identify emerging employee relations risks. Stakeholder Management •    Build effective relationships with managers, employees, trade unions, and HR colleagues. •    Support consultation, engagement, and positive industrial relations. Data and Reporting •    Maintain HR systems and case records. •    Produce absence and employee relations reports. •    Analyse trends and recommend improvements to people management practices.

Knowledge and Experience Essential •    Experience managing complex employee relations casework. •    CIPD qualification or equivalent HR experience. •    Strong experience of sickness absence management, including long-term absence and ill-health capability. •    Sound knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice. •    Experience advising managers, supporting investigations and hearings, and working with Occupational Health. •    Experience using HR systems and handling confidential information. Desirable •    Experience within local government or another public sector environment. •    Experience working in a unionised workplace. Skills and Competencies •    Strong employee relations and case management expertise. •    Strong written and oral communication, as well as influencing skills to translate complex HR Policy and employment law into practice. •    Sound judgement and decision-making. •    Strong organisation, prioritisation, and analytical skills. •    Ability to build effective stakeholder relationships. •    Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities.