ER Case Investigator

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsible for Employee Relations investigations as allocated by the Head of Employee Relations, including disciplinary, grievance, dignity at work and MHPS cases, in accordance with the Trusts Policies and procedures, best practice and legislative requirements.

Plan and organise investigations as agreed with the Case Manager ensuring compliance with agreed timescales and key performance targets. Ensuring that all tasks are carried out in compliance with relevant policies and procedures and that the Case Manager is kept informed of progress and any concerns are highlighted to the Case Manager as a priority.

Responsible for ensuring that investigations are conducted impartially and objectively so that all participants are given full opportunity to have appropriate input into the process whilst maintaining confidentiality.

Responsible for identifying potential investigation evidence and sources and ensuring appropriate investigative actions are followed; planning and conducting effective interviews and gathering and reviewing relevant evidence.

Responsible for arranging and leading investigation meetings and coordinating administrative tasks required to complete the investigation and reach timely and unbiased conclusions and findings. This may involve organising and reorganisation meetings based on the needs of the service and patient care.

Responsible for ensuring that investigations are conducted in an objective and non-judgemental manner to gather the relevant fact. This should be in accordance with just, fair and restorative culture

Responsible for implementing Trust Policies and Procedures and identifying where policy changes may be required to reflect best HR/investigations practice; responsible for proposing and supporting the implementation of any policy and/or procedural changes as a result across the organisation.

Responsible for providing specialist advice on workforce investigations to HR colleagues and Trust managers; supporting the design and implementation of training on workforce investigations as necessary.

Responsible for communicating highly complex and at times, highly sensitive, information while at the same time sensitively handling issues of conflict that may arise during the investigation process.

Responsible for receiving, analysing and interpreting complex information and evidence; using persuasive, negotiating, empathic and re-assurance skills as required to navigate the investigation process.

Maintaining and updating employee relations IT databases to ensure up-to-date case reporting and trend analysis in conjunction with the workforce information team.

Responsible for liaising with and advising Trust staff on Employee Relations investigations including (but not limited to):

- The identification of lessons learned and actions required in organisational change and improvement plans

- Actual and potential risk issues identified through investigations

- Referrals to relevant professional and regulatory bodies or NHS Protect, the Police

Liaising with senior managers and other internal/external stakeholders as appropriate when carrying out investigations.

Responsible for maintaining robust and positive relationships with Trust Managers, Staff and Trade Union Representatives at a local and regional level.

Liaising as required with external agencies as part of the investigations process e.g. Local Counter Fraud Service, the Police, Safeguarding and professional bodies/organisations e.g. NMC & GMC in relation to conduct matters.

Support the Head of Employee Relations and Policy in the development and delivery of ER/Workforce projects.

Requirement to research areas unfamiliar with when undertaking an investigation to develop own knowledge and ensure that appropriate references are made within the investigation report.

Required to undertake, participate in and develop appropriate audits and quality assurance programmes and research as required.

Responsible for ensuring that equality and diversity issues are recognised and addressed in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Master's degree or working towards it, in relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Post-graduate qualification from the CIPD, within a relevant discipline or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Associate membership of the CIPD

Desirable

• Formal investigation training e.g. NHS Resolution MHPS training

Experience

Essential

• Substantial employee relations experience in a large complex NHS organisation
• Demonstrable track record of practical support and advice to employee relations investigations
• Proven experience of preparation for, and participating in, hearings relating to employee relations issues
• Proven track record of managing multiple cases concurrently, with excellent organisational skills
• Experience of working with Trade Union representatives in relation to ER case investigations
• Demonstrable experience of producing high quality written reports
• Experience of successfully working with a range of internal and external partners, working across organisational boundaries and with people at all levels of an organisation

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering training on workforce investigations

Knowledge

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of HR best practice, employment legislation and current thinking and developments in HR
• Knowledge of NHS Terms and Conditions of Service with demonstrable experience of the application of this knowledge in the workplace
• Knowledge of best practice for conducting employee investigations including Disciplinary and Grievance investigations
• Knowledge of the particular differences and requirements relating to MHPS investigations

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital - (Cross-site)

London

SE18 4QH

Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)