Job summary
We are seeking a skilled, impartial and highly organised Employee Relations Case Investigator to join our People Directorate.
This is a pivotal role responsible for leading and conducting high-quality investigations into employment matters. You will manage your own caseload, ensuring investigations are fair, objective, timely, and aligned with:
Just Culture principles
Employment law
GDPR requirements
NUH policy
You will act as a neutral third-party investigator, producing clear, analytical reports and communicating findings professionally with key stakeholders.
We are looking for someone who:
Has significant experience managing complex employee relations cases
Demonstrates strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice
Writes clear, structured and analytical reports
Can manage emotional and sensitive situations with professionalism
Maintains strict confidentiality and neutrality
Thrives in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment
Is highly organised and able to manage competing priorities
You will be confident working independently while also collaborating effectively with senior stakeholders.
Main duties of the job
Lead and manage a caseload of complex employee relations investigations from initiation through to conclusion.
Develop clear investigation plans aligned to agreed Terms of Reference and ensure investigations are completed within agreed timescales.
Act as a neutral and impartial investigator, applying Just Culture principles at all times.
Conduct formal witness interviews (virtually and face-to-face), gathering detailed and accurate statements.
Identify, collect and analyse relevant documentary, electronic and testimonial evidence from multiple sources.
Interpret complex, sensitive and sometimes highly emotive information in line with employment law, GDPR and Trust policies.
Maintain accurate, comprehensive and confidential records in appropriate systems.
Produce high-quality, structured written investigation reports that clearly outline findings, analysis, relevant policies and evidence considered.
Provide regular updates to the Commissioning Manager in line with agreed reporting arrangements.
Treat all individuals involved in investigations with sensitivity, fairness and professionalism.
About us
With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.
Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!
We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead fair and impartial investigations within agreed timescales
Develop structured investigation plans aligned to Terms of Reference
Conduct formal witness interviews (virtual and face-to-face)
Analyse complex and sensitive information from multiple sources
Produce comprehensive, evidence-based written investigation reports
Maintain accurate records in line with governance standards
Liaise with commissioning managers and People Directorate colleagues
Contribute to policy improvement and ER best practice
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead fair and impartial investigations within agreed timescales
Develop structured investigation plans aligned to Terms of Reference
Conduct formal witness interviews (virtual and face-to-face)
Analyse complex and sensitive information from multiple sources
Produce comprehensive, evidence-based written investigation reports
Maintain accurate records in line with governance standards
Liaise with commissioning managers and People Directorate colleagues
Contribute to policy improvement and ER best practice
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 7 or experience commensurate to this level
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience in an HR generalist role
- Experience of advising on complex terms and conditions
- Experience of extracting information from systems
- Experience of preparing complex reports / letters
- Experience of communicating complex and sensitive information to different levels of staff
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with matters sensitively
- Ability to act on own initiative and able to know when to escalate matters
- Ability to analyse highly complex information
- Ability to undertake research on complex matters and information
- Ability to manage own workload and adjust where necessary
Desirable
- Experience in a large unionised organisation
- NHS experience
- Experience of ESR
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 7 or experience commensurate to this level
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience in an HR generalist role
- Experience of advising on complex terms and conditions
- Experience of extracting information from systems
- Experience of preparing complex reports / letters
- Experience of communicating complex and sensitive information to different levels of staff
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with matters sensitively
- Ability to act on own initiative and able to know when to escalate matters
- Ability to analyse highly complex information
- Ability to undertake research on complex matters and information
- Ability to manage own workload and adjust where necessary
Desirable
- Experience in a large unionised organisation
- NHS experience
- Experience of ESR
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).