Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Employee Relations Advisor

The closing date is 16 October 2025

Job summary

Job Title: Employee Relations Advisor / Assistant ER Advisor

Band: 5

We are looking for candidates to recruit for an Employee Relations Advisor, who shares our ambition and vision to deliver theBest of Care by the Best Peopleand has the drive to take us forward, by ensuring that the Trust continues to be the first choice for patients and our staff.

The role will provide a professional advisory support service to managers on general operational ER issues, such as terms and conditions of service, sickness absence, performance management and resolution of staff concerns.

Main duties of the job

The role will support to provide a fully comprehensive and high quality ER support and advisory service tothe Trust.

You will manage an ER caseload, supporting managers with all types of ER casework, with specific focus on the proactive management of sickness absence and performance management, including supporting managers in the preparation of these cases at all stages of the procedure as needed.

The role will also support with the management of the ER forums; coordinating meetings, note taking and diary management.

Our values areBold,Every Person Counts,Sharing and Open andTogether. It is important that you understand and to refer to our values when completing your application and always reflect our values throughout your employment with the Trust.

We are committed to endorsing diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion; our policies / procedures ensure that all applicants are treated fairly at every stage of the recruitment process.

To contribute to our exciting future and become part of our team, apply today.

About us

Here at Medway, we pride ourselves on working together as one to ensure that our shared vision of Better, Best, Brilliant is achieved. Our culture and values are what drives the Trust and is the heartbeat of who we are as an organisation.

Our Trust is a great choice for people who want to develop their career in an ambitious environment.

Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement which will not mean sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We aim to support you to work flexibly in a way that will suit you and us.

All of our substantive & fixed term employees can enjoy a range of staff benefits, a gym, an active health and wellbeing programme, an on-site nursery and a cycle to work scheme.

We are taking positive action to ensure that we can attract, recruit and retain the best talent and would welcome more applicants from under - represented groups to support the Trusts commitment to a diverse, inclusive and an employer of choice workforce.

All staff at Medway comply the Trust's and the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Board's policies on safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Details

Date posted

08 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £36,483 a year none

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

275-1025-ERA

Job locations

Medway Maritime Hospital

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Job description

Job responsibilities

Act as first point of contact for ER advice to managers across the full range of employee relations issues including grievance, discipline, capability, sickness absence, redeployment, in line with best practice, Trust policy and employment legislation

Take a proactive lead in monitoring and analysing sickness absence for designated business areas, ensuring aboth short-term and long-term sickess is being managed in line with trust policy in a timely and efficient manner

Provide advice to managers regarding flexibile working requests, ensuring staff are treated fairly and avoiding risks of discrimination

Providing guidance to managers regarding reasonable adjustments, and facilitating applications for ill-health retirement in a timely manner

Under the guidance of the Senior ER Advisor, manage caseload of employee relations issues and advise managers on ER issues in particular: sickness absence cases performance concerns and probation cases.

Provide advisory support to managers regarding disciplinary and grievance issues; and under the direction of the investigations team, manage a caseload of non-complex investigations

Provide administrative and advisory support to the investigations team on complex investigations

Ensure that advice and assistance to managers on staff-related operational issues is of a timely, accurate and professional nature, adhering to KPIs and policy timescales

Arrange formal meetings and investigations with multiple stakeholders

Provide support to the Trusts Equality and Inclusion agenda and advise on employment related issues relating to equality and diversity

Maintain accurate records including formal ER case files, their transfer to staff personnel files, electronic staff records and the maintenance of the Case Tracker and audit

Audit personnel and case files to ensure accurate and proportionate records are being kept in line with Information Governance requirements when required

Deputise for the Senior ER Advisor and contribute to Divisional and Corporate Care Group / Business Unit meetings as required

Provide assistance to the Senior ER Advisor in the management of change issues and contribute as necessary to formal consultation exercises as part of the organisational change initiative, such as at redeployment meetings

Advise managers on all aspects of the pay banding and job evaluation process, including participation on formal job evaluation panels where appropriate and needed

Lead on discrete projects, including supporting with the development of team objectives and KPIs

Contribute to the development and delivery of ER training programmes to develop the capability of line managers in managing ER issues.

Analyse workforce information reports, e.g. sickness reports, to highlight trends and provide practical solutions to facilitate timely resolution, including providing local coaching and training to managers and team leaders in addressing employee relations issues

Contribute to relevant ER performance reports when required

To be responsible for taking and transcribing minutes at formal hearings to ensure an accurate record of proceedings is kept for use at internal appeals and external Employment Tribunal Hearings

To support managers and provide professional advice in preparing relevant management statements of case for internal formal case hearings

Working proactively with managers to improve sickness absence and other workforce key performance indicators in line with the Trusts performance targets and strategy

To support in creating, reviewing and developing Trust employment policies that comply with current employment legislation and NHS Employers standards

Undertake, monitor and report on trends of exit interviews, escalating to relevant parties as required

Coordinate, support and facilitate health & wellbeing initiatives / projects

Liaise with external bodies during the course of investigations i.e. Police, Counter Fraud, CQC, Occupational Health and Social Services as appropriate

Responsible for maintaining relevant office equipment and supplies relating to Employee Relations work, including monitoring stock levels, raising issues and requesting stationary supplies as needed

Providing admin support to the ER team, including attending and preparing agendas and minute taking at trust wide meetings.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Act as first point of contact for ER advice to managers across the full range of employee relations issues including grievance, discipline, capability, sickness absence, redeployment, in line with best practice, Trust policy and employment legislation

Take a proactive lead in monitoring and analysing sickness absence for designated business areas, ensuring aboth short-term and long-term sickess is being managed in line with trust policy in a timely and efficient manner

Provide advice to managers regarding flexibile working requests, ensuring staff are treated fairly and avoiding risks of discrimination

Providing guidance to managers regarding reasonable adjustments, and facilitating applications for ill-health retirement in a timely manner

Under the guidance of the Senior ER Advisor, manage caseload of employee relations issues and advise managers on ER issues in particular: sickness absence cases performance concerns and probation cases.

Provide advisory support to managers regarding disciplinary and grievance issues; and under the direction of the investigations team, manage a caseload of non-complex investigations

Provide administrative and advisory support to the investigations team on complex investigations

Ensure that advice and assistance to managers on staff-related operational issues is of a timely, accurate and professional nature, adhering to KPIs and policy timescales

Arrange formal meetings and investigations with multiple stakeholders

Provide support to the Trusts Equality and Inclusion agenda and advise on employment related issues relating to equality and diversity

Maintain accurate records including formal ER case files, their transfer to staff personnel files, electronic staff records and the maintenance of the Case Tracker and audit

Audit personnel and case files to ensure accurate and proportionate records are being kept in line with Information Governance requirements when required

Deputise for the Senior ER Advisor and contribute to Divisional and Corporate Care Group / Business Unit meetings as required

Provide assistance to the Senior ER Advisor in the management of change issues and contribute as necessary to formal consultation exercises as part of the organisational change initiative, such as at redeployment meetings

Advise managers on all aspects of the pay banding and job evaluation process, including participation on formal job evaluation panels where appropriate and needed

Lead on discrete projects, including supporting with the development of team objectives and KPIs

Contribute to the development and delivery of ER training programmes to develop the capability of line managers in managing ER issues.

Analyse workforce information reports, e.g. sickness reports, to highlight trends and provide practical solutions to facilitate timely resolution, including providing local coaching and training to managers and team leaders in addressing employee relations issues

Contribute to relevant ER performance reports when required

To be responsible for taking and transcribing minutes at formal hearings to ensure an accurate record of proceedings is kept for use at internal appeals and external Employment Tribunal Hearings

To support managers and provide professional advice in preparing relevant management statements of case for internal formal case hearings

Working proactively with managers to improve sickness absence and other workforce key performance indicators in line with the Trusts performance targets and strategy

To support in creating, reviewing and developing Trust employment policies that comply with current employment legislation and NHS Employers standards

Undertake, monitor and report on trends of exit interviews, escalating to relevant parties as required

Coordinate, support and facilitate health & wellbeing initiatives / projects

Liaise with external bodies during the course of investigations i.e. Police, Counter Fraud, CQC, Occupational Health and Social Services as appropriate

Responsible for maintaining relevant office equipment and supplies relating to Employee Relations work, including monitoring stock levels, raising issues and requesting stationary supplies as needed

Providing admin support to the ER team, including attending and preparing agendas and minute taking at trust wide meetings.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • CIPD Level 5 Qualified, or working towards

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working in an HR or busy admin environment
  • Experience participating in formal HR meetings, or other formal meetings
  • Experience supporting with a range of HR queries

Desirable

  • Previous experience working in NHS
  • Experience working in Unionised environment

Skills

Essential

  • Strong IT skills, competent in Microsoft packages (Word and Excel), and E-mail
  • Good written and verbal communication skills, including report writing
  • Strong Organisational Skills

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of Employment Legislation
  • Understanding of Employee relations best practice
  • Understanding of NHS T&Cs
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • CIPD Level 5 Qualified, or working towards

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working in an HR or busy admin environment
  • Experience participating in formal HR meetings, or other formal meetings
  • Experience supporting with a range of HR queries

Desirable

  • Previous experience working in NHS
  • Experience working in Unionised environment

Skills

Essential

  • Strong IT skills, competent in Microsoft packages (Word and Excel), and E-mail
  • Good written and verbal communication skills, including report writing
  • Strong Organisational Skills

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of Employment Legislation
  • Understanding of Employee relations best practice
  • Understanding of NHS T&Cs

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Medway Maritime Hospital

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Medway Maritime Hospital

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Employee Relations

Emma Wilson

emma.wilson1@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

08 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £36,483 a year none

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

275-1025-ERA

Job locations

Medway Maritime Hospital

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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