Job overview
TheEmployee Relations Advisor will work as part of the Employee Relations Advice team and will operate as a point of contact for employee relations matters. The post-holder will be responsible for advising managers and providing a comprehensive, professional and business focused specialist Employee Relations advisory service. This will involve coaching and advising Line Managers and employees on a range of employment practices, policies and terms and conditions
The Employee Relations Advisor will be responsible for advising and supporting managers on employee relations cases short of dismissal on disciplinaries, grievances, short-term and long-term attendance management, performance improvement and bullying and harassment cases.
Main duties of the job
1. Providing Employee Relations Advise.
2. Employee Relations case management.
3. Policies and Service Development.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
4. At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
5. Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
6. Blue Light card eligibility
7. And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
8. Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
9. CIPD part/fully qualified. Working towards CIPD registration/ membership or evidence of a qualification in HR
Experience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
10. Broad and comprehensive generalist HR knowledge base
11. Sound understanding of HR policies and procedures
12. Experience of working with managers in the use and interpretation of policies and in the management of specific casework
13. Up to date working knowledge of employment legislation
14. Ability to demonstrate proficient use of the Microsoft Office suite within a work environment
Desirable criteria
15. Generalist HR experience gained preferably in a unionised environment
16. Experience of working in an NHS/healthcare environment
17. Able to deliver presentations in a training environment
Skills
Essential criteria
18. Ability to communicate effectively with managers and staff at every level of the organisation
19. Excellent customer service skills and a strong customer service focus
20. Able to plan and organise own workload
21. Able to interpret HR policies accurately in line with Employment Law
22. Proven listening, verbal and written communication skills
23. Able to think quickly, adapt and respond appropriately to a range of varied and immediate customer needs
24. Able to work independently and as part of a team to ensure team goals/objectives are met
25. Able to work on own initiative within the parameters of the role
26. Willing to undertake further training and development as required
Desirable criteria
27. Negotiating and influencing skills
Attributes
Essential criteria
28. Attention to detail
29. Self-motivator with high standards for self and others
30. Achievement orientated
31. Drive and resilience
32. Customer focus