Context and Purpose
The Employee Relations Specialist will work closely with the global HR Business Partnering team, providing expert guidance on employee relations and ensuring best practices. As the subject matter expert, the Specialist will manage ER cases globally, develop ER capabilities, policies, and processes, ensure compliance with regional legislative requirements, mitigate risk, and contribute to the effective management of people, capability, and performance across the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist managers and HR BPs in resolving ER issues across EMEA, APAC, and occasionally the USA.
- Advise on investigations, performance issues, grievances, disciplinary actions, accommodations, and appeals, ensuring fair and business-focused outcomes.
- Collaborate with CSE in France and work with CBAs (Collective Bargaining Agreements).
- Guide on organizational restructuring and collective issues.
- Develop and implement global people practices that foster positive working relationships.
- Ensure local employee handbooks and policies are compliant and reflective of our culture.
- Enhance ER capabilities through training, coaching, and partnership with managers and HR BPs.
- Support continuous improvement of ER processes, policies, and tools.
- Utilize ER data to guide decision-making and identify improvement opportunities.
- Establish reporting mechanisms for employee relations cases.
About You
- Extensive UK and EMEA experience in ER topics, with a preference for experience in France, Germany, or Spain. APAC experience is advantageous.
- Proactive in updating local labor law knowledge.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills (English).
- Adaptable in a cross-skilled, global HR team within a matrix organization.
- Able to create scalable solutions for ER issues, including automation of initial advice.
- Effective in building trusted professional partnerships.
- Active listener, adept at understanding conflict and finding fair outcomes.
- Strong influencing skills and committed to high-quality delivery.
- Experienced in handling difficult conversations and maintaining neutrality.
- Proven as a core decision-maker, leading complex people initiatives.
- Effective in ambiguous situations with strong critical thinking skills.
- Confident in fast-paced environments, adept at navigating legal, cultural, and business risks.
- Understanding of organizational culture and challenges posed by various work environments.