Job summary
Please note this role is currently only being advertised to staff members who are currently working within the Kent and Medway ICS
The Employee 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
- Providing Employee Relations Advise.
- Employee Relations case management.
- Policies and Service Development.
About us
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.
Click here to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
- At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
- Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
- Blue Light card eligibility
- And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve 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
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
- CIPD part/fully qualified. Working towards CIPD registration/ membership or evidence of a qualification in HR
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Broad and comprehensive generalist HR knowledge base
- Sound understanding of HR policies and procedures
- Experience of working with managers in the use and interpretation of policies and in the management of specific casework
- Up to date working knowledge of employment legislation
- Ability to demonstrate proficient use of the Microsoft Office suite within a work environment
Desirable
- Generalist HR experience gained preferably in a unionised environment
- Experience of working in an NHS/healthcare environment
- Able to deliver presentations in a training environment
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with managers and staff at every level of the organisation
- Excellent customer service skills and a strong customer service focus
- Able to plan and organise own workload
- Able to interpret HR policies accurately in line with Employment Law
- Proven listening, verbal and written communication skills
- Able to think quickly, adapt and respond appropriately to a range of varied and immediate customer needs
- Able to work independently and as part of a team to ensure team goals/objectives are met
- Able to work on own initiative within the parameters of the role
- Willing to undertake further training and development as required
Desirable
- Negotiating and influencing skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
- CIPD part/fully qualified. Working towards CIPD registration/ membership or evidence of a qualification in HR
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Broad and comprehensive generalist HR knowledge base
- Sound understanding of HR policies and procedures
- Experience of working with managers in the use and interpretation of policies and in the management of specific casework
- Up to date working knowledge of employment legislation
- Ability to demonstrate proficient use of the Microsoft Office suite within a work environment
Desirable
- Generalist HR experience gained preferably in a unionised environment
- Experience of working in an NHS/healthcare environment
- Able to deliver presentations in a training environment
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with managers and staff at every level of the organisation
- Excellent customer service skills and a strong customer service focus
- Able to plan and organise own workload
- Able to interpret HR policies accurately in line with Employment Law
- Proven listening, verbal and written communication skills
- Able to think quickly, adapt and respond appropriately to a range of varied and immediate customer needs
- Able to work independently and as part of a team to ensure team goals/objectives are met
- Able to work on own initiative within the parameters of the role
- Willing to undertake further training and development as required
Desirable
- Negotiating and influencing skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
