Band 7 – Employee Relations Manager (Sickness Support)
Job Summary :
As the Employee Relations Manager, you will lead the sickness support function, managing a team responsible for complex absence management cases across a large, unionised NHS organisation. This is a critical role requiring leadership in fast-paced environments, strategic coaching of senior managers, and direct engagement with operational leaders to reduce long-term absence and support organisational wellbeing.
Location : Croydon (4 days on site 1 day WFH)
Job Type : Temporary
Duration of booking : Expected to last 4 months with possible extension
Proposed start date : ASAP
Pay Rates : Up to £26.16 per hour PAYE inclusive of holiday pay
Hours / Working Days : 37.5 hours per week / Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm
Sector : Healthcare
Based : Office / Hospital
Key Responsibilities :
* Lead on complex sickness absence cases including long-term absence, phased returns, and reasonable adjustments.
* Provide high-level coaching and training to senior managers in managing absence effectively and lawfully.
* Collaborate closely with trade unions and HR Business Partners to ensure consistent policy application.
* Oversee a large and varied caseload while ensuring key performance indicators are met.
* Prepare and present reports to HR and operational leadership on sickness trends and interventions.
* Support improvement initiatives across employee wellbeing and sickness prevention.
Requirements :
* Proven experience managing complex sickness absence caseloads in large, unionised environments.
* Experience training and coaching managers in absence management.
* NHS or large public sector experience highly desirable.
* Ability to lead and influence at all levels with sound employment law knowledge.
* Willingness and flexibility to work onsite in hospitals or community settings at least 4 days per week.
Job reference number : YW-GW1S
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