Job Title: People Relations Advisor
Job Location: Milton Keynes - Hybrid
Contract Length: 01/12/2025 - 28/02/2026 – potential to extend
Industry: Retail, Oil and Energy
Working Hours: 8 hours per day/ 40 per week
Job Profile Summary
Working alongside 2 field-based people relations advisors, you will be the primary contact for allocated regional and store management teams to provide Employee Relations advice, coaching and support. The role holder will lead in the management of long term sickness absence cases across the retail network (approximately 350 retail sites).
This role is home based with regular travel to the Milton Keynes office and stores. There will be some element of travel (up to 25%).
Job advert
Key Accountabilities
* Manage all long-term absence cases making meaningful interventions to ensure all cases are dealt with fairly, consistent and in a timely manner.
* First point of contact for employee relations advice to assigned regional and store management, including employee relations, policy interpretation, analysis of risk and options for action. Providing cover for other regions when required.
* Manage all medium and high risk employee relations cases to resolution. This includes providing advice, drafting correspondence, attending meetings and note taking, and with the support of the People Relations Assistant, completing all associated administration.
* Deliver effective coaching and development on Employee Relations topics, attending Regional Meetings where appropriate, and developing and delivering ER workshops
* Build excellent relationships with key stakeholders to support the delivery of the people plan for the business.
* Deliver the people elements of any movement of stores into and out of the network, ensuring TUPE is managed effectively and legal requirements are met with regards to consultation and selection.
* Review, track and feed back themes from ER cases, Open talks and Careline complaints to develop and deliver appropriate interventions which have a positive impact on business performance and prevent the re-occurrence of issues
* Ensure the HR systems, case files and employee files are accurate, up to date and reflect advice given and action taken, and that all associated documentation and paperwork has been received
* Work with the People relations lead and others on projects, change initiatives and policy and process improvements.
* Maintain accurate records and systems which deliver compliance, such as for visa and employee eligibility requirements.
* Update policies, procedures and processes
About you!
* Prior experience in a high volume ER or HR advisory role.
* Knowledge of current employment law and best practice HR knowledge.
* Ability to understand, interpret HR policies, processes and procedures and use these to advise line managers when dealing with complex ER cases.
* Clear, articulate and concise communication skills - both verbal and written.
* Good listening skills and questioning techniques.
* Experienced in delivering coaching, training and development interventions to raise management capability.
* Experience of working within a customer focused function within a large matrix, retail based, company.
* Practical knowledge of people relations processes, administration systems and the people life-cycle
* A CIPD qualification is preferred
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.