Employee Relations Advisor; FTC

What you ll bring to the team

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Employee Relations (ER) Executive to join our UK Hub (HR Shared Services) team in Basingstoke. In this role, you will be a point of contact for complex ER matters, providing expert guidance and ensuring consistent and legally compliant employee relations support across the organisation.

Operating within a newly formed centralised HR service model, you will work collaboratively with Senior ER Specialists, ER Senior Manager, UK Hub colleagues/teams, People Business Partners, CoE colleagues, and Line Managers to manage employee relations casework efficiently and effectively, ensuring a positive employee experience and promoting fair and transparent practices.

As Merlin operates seven days a week, we recognise the need to provide support to our managers during weekends, especially during peak times when our parks are fully open and staffing levels are higher. We expect the Hub to offer essential Employee Relations support through an on-call rota system. The details are still being finalised, but we anticipate the approach will be similar to how weekend support currently works at our resorts.

Employee Relations Case Management

• Manage a caseload of ER issues (e.g., disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability, performance) using Service Now from end to end.
• Ensure cases are resolved promptly and accurately in line with Merlin’s policies, employment legislation, and UK Hub KPIs/SLAs.
• Maintain accurate ER case records and reporting through the Service Now case management system.

Advice, Coaching & Support

• Provide high-quality advice, coaching and guidance to people managers on a range of ER issues.
• Work collaboratively with the business to support managers through formal processes including meetings, documentation and outcome guidance.
• Help build capability by contributing to manager training and upskilling initiatives on ER topics

Risk Management & Compliance

• Escalate potential ER risks or complex issues to the ER Senior Manager or HR Business Partners.
• Work with Legal and external advisors to support resolution of high-risk or complex cases, including ACAS or tribunal matters.
• Ensure all ER casework complies with GDPR, data protection standards, and internal governance requirements.

Policy & Process Development

• Promote fairness and consistency in the application of People policies across the business.
• Contribute to the development, review and continuous improvement of ER policies, procedures and toolkits in line with best practice and legal standards

We’re growing fast and alongside a fun and friendly environment, we offer a fabulous package and amazing prospects – ideal if you’re already fantastic and want to become even better (our magic can help here). Benefits include Pension, Life Assurance, discretionary company bonus, 20 days’ holiday and, of course, a Merlin Magic Pass which gives you and your friends and family free admission to all of our attractions worldwide, as well as 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants and 40% discount on LEGO.

Competitive