Are you looking to build your career within an Employee Relations role? Would you enjoy the pace and energy of a retail environment which is collaborative, fun and inclusive where people feel part of a winning team? Do you enjoy the benefits of working together in person as a team blended with the flexibility of remote working?
If the answer to the above is ‘yes’ then Wickes is the place for you!
We’re looking for an ER Advisor to coach, guide and provide employee relations advice to Line Managers through effective case management of people related issues. These include: disciplinaries, performance management, employment tribunals, grievance and absence management.
You’ll be focused on coaching to increase the Line Manager’s capability and using our policies, processes and advice in strengthening the Wickes Great Place to Work culture whilst effectively and fairly managing difficult situations. Advice will be either telephone based or face to face coaching with Senior Managers for complex/high risk/sensitive cases.
Key Accountabilities:
- Coach, guide and provide employee relations advice to Line Managers either on the phone or face to face with Senior Managers in high risk/sensitive or complex cases
- Effective proactive case management of people related issues to conclusion, such as: disciplinaries, performance management, employment tribunals, grievance and absence management (including OH referrals)
- Act as SME to HRBP in any organisational change e.g. structure changes, TUPE, relocation
- Provide HR BP insight for case management trends, identifying skills/knowledge gaps, ER Metrics
- Provide feedback and insight to the Reward and Benefits Manager to ensure our benefits help our colleagues and Managers in mental, health and financial wellbeing.
- Own and update Employee Policies, handbooks, Line Manager Guides and templates following legislative updates, amended ways of working or best practice process changes (internal and external driven)
- Work with 3rd party providers to resolve/prepare for ACAS reconciliation, tribunal representation etc.
- Training delivery to line managers to support our modular training programme e.g. performance management, investigations, disciplinaries (the ER Adviser will be trained in the programme by our Vista HR Legal partner to ensure consistency of delivery and that the content support tribunal approaches etc)
What are we looking for:
- CIPD level 5 qualified and demonstrable experience within an ER role
- Able to coach and build rapport on phone with effective listening skills
- Strong written & verbal communication skills
- Able to interpret data & provide insights
- Good stakeholder management
- Employee policy & legislation knowledge and ER best practise
- Seeks out continuous improvement, and curious about what is happening in external market place
- Able to balance business risk with process and legal requirements
What can we offer you?
You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us
We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes
- Competitive bonus
- Save-as-you-earn scheme
- Life Assurance
- Contributory pension scheme
- Colleague discount
Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme
Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.
You'll work from our Support Centre in Northampton, where our Employee Relations team is based, along with our other support functions. We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture. We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.
About Us:
Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 40 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.3Bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.
But it is the Wickes’ culture that is considered its best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.
Please note: All offers of employment are subject to DBS / background checks.
Please contact us here if you require any adjustments within the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview
