Employee Relations Casework Adviser

UK Research & Innovation

Salary: £36,650
Hours: Full Time / Part Time (Min 30hrs per week)
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 Months)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon (Hybrid Working - Occasional travel to UKRI sites may be required*

Closing Date: 2nd June 2025

Job Overview:

The purpose of the role is to provide a comprehensive formal ER casework service to senior managers, line managers and staff across UKRI. This will include, but not limited to, matters of disciplinary, grievance, bullying and harassment, sickness absence and performance management, including supporting managers in the preparation of cases at all stages of the procedure as needed.

The ER Casework Adviser will be promoting HR policies, practices, processes and initiatives and will actively work to build effective working relationships. They will be required to influence manager decisions on ER casework issues as well as challenge and persuade as appropriate. They will also lead on or support other HR projects as appropriate. The UKRI Redeployment Pool and associated processes are also managed by the Employee Relations team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage or provide support as appropriate on a range of formal casework including sickness absence, performance management, disciplinary and grievance cases etc.
• Ensure that the casework tracker is completed and maintained accurately.
• Manage day-to-day queries, providing professional, timely, accurate and robust advice and guidance to managers and staff on a wide range of ER queries providing advice on associated policies.
• Work closely with colleagues in the HR Operations Team, Strategic HR Business Partners and the HR Centres of Expertise in helping to deliver a consistent and joined-up HR service across the organisation.
• Build effective working relationships with managers and staff and with other HR colleagues to support the maintenance and development of best practice policies and procedures.
• Participate as appropriate in the development and delivery of ER learning and personal development initiatives.
• Support on ER-related projects as appropriate.
• Review and analyse MI data and trends
• Adopt a continuous improvement approach to work, to ensure that records are kept up to date and letters, guidance and templates etc are accurate and appropriate.
• Line management of ER Assistant, if required.

Stakeholder Relationship Responsibilities:

The ER Casework Adviser will:

• Provide advice and guidance to senior managers, line managers and staff.
• Build positive relationships with colleagues across the HR function, in particular maintaining close and regular contact with the Strategic HR Business Partners.
• Liaise with colleagues in UK SBS, and other external organisations as appropriate.

There may be occasional travel to other sites required.

Person Specification:

(S) – Shortlisting Criteria (I) – Interview Criteria

Essential

• Appropriate CIPD Qualification (minimum level 3) or equivalent skills and knowledge gained from working in an HR role (S)
• A track record of effectively managing a range of casework (S & I)
• Current, relevant experience working in an operational HR role, ideally in a diverse and demanding environment (S & I)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present information, to persuade, influence, counsel, support or challenge people at all levels, often in sensitive circumstances, and to treat information confidentially (S & I)
• A self-motivated, results-focused, and proactive, approach to work, with a strong record of delivery (S & I)
• Sound IT skills and proficiency in the use of spreadsheets and other Microsoft 365 packages (S & I)
• Ability to work on own initiative and to manage own time effectively (I)
• Ability to apply judgement and decision-making to find innovative solutions which meet customer needs, within policy or procedural requirements (I)
• Ability to work with ambiguity and conflicting priorities (I)
• A proven track record of team-focused behaviour (I)
• Ability to learn quickly and champion best practice and continuous improvement. Good all-round awareness of UK Employment law and HR best practice (I)
• Line management and delegation skills, where required (I)

Application Guidance

How to evidence the criteria:

You are encouraged to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in the cover letter to evidence your ability to meet the ‘person specification’ criteria in the job description. Cover letters should be no more than two sides of A4 (minimum font size 11). For examples of the STAR method, please visit: The STAR method | National Careers Service’.