Contract: Fixed-term (Maternity Cover – 9 months)
Dates: 1st May 2026 – 28th February 2027
Reporting to: General Manager
Location: Office Based with some flexibility for remote
Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week
Honesty Group is an independent hospitality business operating cafés, pubs, farm shops and a wholesale bakery across Berkshire and Hampshire. Since launching in 2014, the business has grown steadily with a focus on producing honest, seasonal food made by people who care.
Our teams of chefs and bakers create fresh food daily using high-quality ingredients sourced locally wherever possible. Alongside our venues, we also produce bakery and food products for wholesale partners and online customers.
At the heart of the business is a strong people culture. We believe great hospitality starts with great teams, and we are committed to creating supportive environments where people can grow, develop and take pride in their work.
Role Purpose
We are looking for an Interim HR Generalist to support the day-to-day running of the HR function during a maternity cover period.
This is a hands-on, operational HR role focused primarily on supporting managers with people matters, employee relations, and maintaining strong HR processes across the business.
The role acts as the first point of contact for HR queries, supporting managers across multiple sites and ensuring a consistent and compliant approach to people management.
Alongside HR responsibilities, the role will also support payroll administration, ensuring accurate information is submitted each pay cycle. Payroll systems and processes can be learned and support will be provided where needed.
Key Responsibilities
Human Resources & Employee Relations
* Act as the first point of contact for day-to-day HR queries from managers and employees.
* Support managers with probation management, absence management, and performance discussions.
* Provide guidance on disciplinary and grievance processes, escalating more complex cases where appropriate.
* Prepare HR documentation including letters, contracts, and employee records.
* Maintain accurate employee data across HR systems.
* Support HR compliance and ensure policies and procedures are applied consistently.
* Maintain and update HR policies and employee documentation as required.
* Ensure HR practices align with UK employment legislation.
Payroll & Administration Support
* Support the preparation of payroll by ensuring employee data, hours and absence records are accurate.
* Complete weekly rota checks to confirm hours worked and holiday inputs.
* Submit payroll information to the payroll provider within agreed deadlines.
* Respond to basic payroll queries from employees.
* Support pension administration and statutory payroll reporting where required.
(Payroll systems and processes can be learned and are supported internally.)
Stakeholder Support
* Work closely with the General Manager and senior leadership team to support people operations across the business.
* Escalate complex employee relations matters appropriately.
* Maintain clear documentation and structured handover notes to support continuity during the maternity cover period.
Skills, Experience & Knowledge
Essential
* Experience working in a generalist HR role.
* Good working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
* Experience supporting managers with employee relations matters.
* Strong organisational and communication skills.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
Desirable
* CIPD Level 5 (or working towards).
* Experience in hospitality, retail or multi-site environments.
* Exposure to payroll administration or HR/payroll systems (such as Fourth or similar).
Personal Attributes
* Practical, pragmatic approach to HR.
* Confident working with managers and advising on people matters.
* Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
* Professional, discreet and solutions-focused.
* Comfortable working in a fast-paced operational environment.