Employee Relations Advisor at British Council

The Role Purpose:

• The Employee Relations (ER) Advisor will provide specialist advice and guidance to managers at all levels of the organisation in the practical, legally compliant application of the organisation’s ER policies and procedures. The role has a specific focus on ‘improving the employee experience’ by supporting the effective and timely management of formal People processes, and ‘keeping the organisation safe’ through policy compliance and effective risk management within the framework of relevant employment/labour laws.
• Through 1:1 coaching and the provision of effective advice, the role will contribute towards building the confidence of managers and empowering them to address people-related challenges at the earliest opportunity and, wherever possible, using informal resolution techniques in the case of workplace conflict. 
• The role will be key to ensuring that the People function partners effectively with our managers through the provision of informed advice that is consistent with global ER policies and procedures and any relevant country legislation. 

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:  

Subject expertise

• Advise and guide managers to make fair and effective decisions within policy and procedural frameworks, so that the Employee Value Proposition is delivered and experienced within the organisation.
• Apply technical and professional knowledge, recognised best practice approaches and insight from previous experience to help to manage and resolve People issues.
• Provide advice to managers in the management of matters related to misconduct, bullying & harassment, grievances and appeals, by reference to policy, procedure and country legislation.
• Support management and employee resolution of workplace conflict, including grievances, through informal resolution methods wherever possible.
• Conduct case-based analysis to provide high quality and evidence-based procedural recommendations and ER advice.
• Use a variety of information resources and professional networks to maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in external policy, practice, and regulation within the ER team.
• Build line managers’ confidence and empower them to make fair and effective decisions in people-related matters

Internal customer focus

• Consult closely with internal customers to understand current and future business needs and plans work activities accordingly to ensure the services and advice provided meet those demands.

Service improvement

• Provide expert ER advice informed by local labour laws and other relevant regulations
• Support and challenge internal customers and other stakeholders to drive the development of high quality, effective and continuously improving business practices within their area of expertise, ensuring high-quality service is delivered to maximise performance and minimise risks and costs.
• Make professional recommendations to resolve specific or localised ER issues and offer ideas which contribute to the development of wider solutions to broader business challenges and problems.

Requirements of the role:

• Demonstrable experience in a generalist or specialist People/ER Advisory role across a number of countries and/or a large complex country and well versed in all areas of Employee Relations policies and procedures.
• Track record of building effective relationships with managers and/or business leadership teams and managing a range of internal and external stakeholders in the delivery of high quality and effective professional People function/ER services.
• Working knowledge of employment and labour law in the candidates own country/regions and experience of leading support on ER cases.
• Experience of leading support on people management matters, successfully balancing risk, and achieving resolution at the informal stage wherever possible.
• Ability to analyse people issues, ask questions to identify root cause, and focus on the key considerations
• Sound judgement in handling confidential and sensitive information, with a working knowledge of data protection.
• Understands how the management of ER cases affects the employee experience
• Written and verbal proficiency (CEF C1) in English is required
• Desirable - HR qualification: CIPD (UK) or country-equivalent