ER Consultant

The role of the ER Consultant is to support managers by providing a professional advisory service to manage and resolve employee relations cases consistently and effectively, with a focus on gaining the best outcomes for both the business and our employees.

This role requires someone that is customer focused and highly organised, who has a detailed knowledge of employee relations and significant experience of employee relations case management. This role is not a junior ER or HR role and requires someone who can bring solid employee relations experience to the role from the start.

What you’ll be doing as an ER Consultant

• Providing professional advice to managers for all employee relations queries, including absence, discipline, workplace resolution, capability, redundancy appeals, probation, flexible working, settlements and employment law.
• Managing your own caseload of around 50 cases to be resolved efficiently and effectively, using our case management system and in line with GDPR.
• Partnering with one or more specific business areas to build and respond to ER insights using monthly dashboards;
• Working with other team members to share best practice and ensure cases are managed effectively with integrity and in compliance with company standards and statutory requirements.
• Providing a quality business focused service by offering expert advice and policy training and acting as subject matter experts.
• Leading and participating in project / continuous improvement work as required.
• Maintaining positive relationships with the wider business functions including HR Partners, HR Consultants, Occupational Health, Health & Safety, Business Integrity, Data Protection, Trade Unions etc.
• Working closely with our external lawyers to provide best practice advice and guidance to our managers; as well as supporting with the response to ACAS/ET claims.

Base Location: Reading - Hybrid
Working Pattern or hours: 36 Hours

What you should bring to the role

• Accomplished HR employment law and advisory skills with an excellent level of experience of coaching managers on difficult employee matters
• Behaviour is in line with the Thames Water values and behaviours
• An up to date in depth knowledge of employment law, ACAS and employment tribunal processes
• You should be highly organised and responsive, with the ability to prioritise work to meet tight deadlines and under pressure
• Confident and tenacious, taking ownership of issues to resolution in a timely manner
• Experience of managing challenging stakeholders and working collaboratively with different levels of managers across the business
• Resilient and able to be flexible to change in demands, whilst remaining approachable
• Trustworthy, with the ability to maintain confidentiality
• Excellent communication skills
• CIPD qualification desirable

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £50,000 per annum, depending on experience
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.