Overview
The Workforce Investigations Officer will work Trustwide on the investigation of Employee Relations cases such as Disciplinary and Bullying and Harassment, in accordance with the Trust's Policies and procedures, best practice and legislative requirements. Working to clear Terms of Reference the postholder will be responsible for ensuring that all investigations are conducted impartially and objectively and will be committed to completing investigations within a strict timescale. The postholder will also be required to attend any subsequent formal hearings and to present their findings to the respective Panel, and where appropriate, attend Employment Tribunals on behalf of the Trust. This role will support the Trust's Just and Learning Culture and ensure that an employee-centred approach is championed throughout all investigations.
Responsibilities
* Responsible for Employee Relations investigations as allocated by the Head of Workforce Investigations, such as Disciplinary, Grievance, and Respect and Dignity at Work, in accordance with the Trust's policies and procedures, best practice and legislative requirements.
* Plan and organise investigations as agreed with the Case Manager, ensuring compliance with agreed timescales and ensuring that all tasks are carried out in compliance with relevant policies and procedures and that the Case Manager is kept informed of progress and any concerns are highlighted to the Case Manager as a priority.
* Responsible for ensuring that investigations are conducted impartially and objectively so that all participants are given full opportunity to have appropriate input into the process whilst maintaining confidentiality.
* Responsible for identifying potential investigation evidence and sources and ensuring appropriate investigative actions are followed; planning and conducting effective interviews and gathering and reviewing relevant evidence.
* Responsible for arranging and leading investigation meetings and co-ordinating administrative tasks required to complete the investigation and reach timely and unbiased conclusions and findings. This may involve organising and reorganising meetings based on the needs of the service and patient care.
* Responsible for ensuring that investigations are conducted in an objective and non-judgemental manner to gather the relevant facts.
* Responsible for implementing Trust policies and procedures and identifying where policy changes may be required to reflect best HR/investigations practice; responsible for proposing and supporting the implementation of any policy and/or procedural changes as a result across the organisation.
* Responsible for reviewing and monitoring expenditure associated with any external investigations commissioned; ensuring best value for money and that costs are verified before invoices are submitted for payment.
* Responsible for providing specialist advice on workforce investigations to HR colleagues and Trust managers; supporting the design and implementation of training on workforce investigations as necessary.
* Responsible for communicating highly complex and at times, highly sensitive, information while at the same time sensitively handling issues of conflict that may arise during the investigation process.
* Responsible for receiving, analysing and interpreting complex information and evidence; using persuasive, negotiating, empathetic and reassurance skills as required to navigate the investigation process.
* Responsible for liaising with and advising Trust staff on Employee Relations investigations including (but not limited to):
o The identification of lessons learned and actions required in organisational change and improvement plans
o Actual and potential risk issues identified through investigations
o Referrals to relevant professional and regulatory bodies or NHS Protect, the Police, Safeguarding and professional bodies/organisations e.g. NMC & GMC in relation to conduct matters.
* Liaising with senior managers and other internal/external stakeholders as appropriate when carrying out investigations.
* Responsible for maintaining robust and positive relationships with Trust Managers, Staff and Trade Union Representatives at a local and regional level.
* Requirement to research areas unfamiliar with when undertaking an investigation to develop own knowledge and ensure that appropriate references are made within the investigation report.
* Required to undertake, participate in and develop appropriate audits and quality assurance programmes and research as required.
* Responsible for ensuring that equality and diversity issues are recognised and addressed in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures.
Qualifications
* Degree or equivalent experience
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Substantial ER experience in a large NHS organisation
* Demonstrable track record or practical support and advice re: ER investigations
* Proven experience relating to ER hearings
* Proven track record of managing multiple cases concurrently
* Experience of working with TU reps re: ER cases
* Demonstrable experience of producing high quality written reports
* Experience of working with a range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels
* Up to date knowledge of ER best practice, employment legislation, and current thinking and developments in HR
* Knowledge and experience of NHS terms and conditions as applied in the workplace
* Knowledge of best practice for conducting ER investigations
* Ability to challenge openly, have difficult conversations
* Excellent report writing skills with the ability to draw clear and concise findings from investigations and present these with accuracy and transparency
* Resilient, able to work in a busy, sometimes pressurised environment, working to tight deadlines with competing priorities
* Ability to analyse very varied and highly complex information or situations and to produce solutions/strategies tactfully and with discretion
* Demonstrable ability to progress investigations within recognised procedures and legal frameworks
* Desirable criteria: Formal investigation training (e.g. MHPS, Root Cause Analysis)
* Demonstrable experience on delivering training on workforce investigations
* You must have appropriate UK professional registration
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.
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