Employee Relations Partner

Employee Relations Partner Fieldfisher
• Belfast, UK

The HR team is responsible for the provision of a full range of people services to the Firm (c. 1,200 UK staff), including recruitment and resourcing, compensation and benefits, performance management, employee relations, staff wellbeing, advice on employment law issues, compliance with regulatory and statutory obligations, diversity and inclusion, and maintenance of e-personnel records.

As an Employee Relations ("ER") Partner for the HR team, reporting into the Head of HR, you will lead our UK offices ER function, overseeing an ER Advisor. Working collaboratively with the HR Business Partner team and people managers, you will be responsible for supporting the delivery of ER best practice across our UK offices in alignment with our policies, procedures, and legal, regulatory, and organisational standards.

The role will have a particular focus on supporting the Head of HR with development and implementation of proactive employee relationships strategy, with specific focus on changes arising from the Employment Rights Bill 2024, Workers Protection Act 2024, and SRA Code of Conduct.

• Supervise our ER Advisor to help ensure effective delivery of day-to-day ER service within the HR team and wider business.
• Work closely with HR Business Partners/Advisors and people managers to support with management of ER matters, emerging trends and minimisation of risk to the business.
• Collaborate with Risk on ER matters that have a regulatory crossover.
• Advise senior HR and business leadership on key ER policy, procedure, or practice strategies and developments that will lead to organisational change.

• Provide input and support to ER Advisor, HR Business Partners and Advisors, and people managers on matters such as disciplinary, capability, grievance, absence, and flexible working procedures.
• Help ensure fair and consistent application of ER policy and procedure across HR team and people managers.
• Support Head of HR with ER matters that have escalated to ACAS and the Employment Tribunal, liaising with external counsel where necessary.

• With the support of the ER Advisor, and input from Head of HR and other key stakeholders, lead on development and implementation of ER policies and best practice guidance.
• Continue to monitor and review policies and procedures with developments in employment law, regulatory standards, and best practice.

• Support HR team with development and delivery of ER training to the business on employment law developments, policy updates and best practice.
• Help keep the HR team and wider business abreast of developments in employment law and best practice.

• Assist with the design, development and implementation of improved ER record keeping, reporting and analysis for HR team, leadership, and wider business.
• Monitor employee engagement, feedback, and ER trends to make recommendations to Head of HR and business leadership.

• 5-10 years previous experience in Employee Relations Partner / Manager role, with experience of supervising junior HR / ER team members.
• Previous experience of working within the legal or professional services sector.
• Significant experience of building credibility and influencing senior leadership and partners, with flexible and effective communication and presentation skills.
• Committed to providing excellent client service, with a commercial and pragmatic focused approach.
• Strong organisational, project and stakeholder management capability, with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to create, manipulate, analyse and interpret data to inform decision making.
• Experience of identifying and delivering process and service improvement.
• In-depth knowledge of current HR trends, developments and England and Wales employment legislation. Knowledge and experience of working with a regulatory desirable.
• CIPD Accreditation or degree in HR / People Management is desirable.

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