ER Consultant Absence Lead - Council

Role: ER Consultant Absence Lead
Contract Length: FTC till March 2027
Location: Hybrid/Medway
Salary: £39,053 per annum pro-rated

Spinwell is recruiting for a ER Consultant Absence Lead for an excellent opportunity within the public sector.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ER CONSULTANT ABSENCE LEAD

• To provide advice, support and coaching to managers on absence management cases to help embed the new Sickness Absence policy, processes, toolkits and recording system to ensure robust absence management and a reduction in absence levels.
• To provide professional HR advice and support to investigating officers, chairs of hearings and appeals panels across the Council on a wide variety of employee relations activities including issues affecting individual members of staff (such as disciplinaries, dispute resolution, grievances, absence management and capability issues), some of which may be complex
• To design and deliver, in conjunction with the Learning & Development team, training solutions in ER related areas to support managers in understanding and application of the sickness absence policy. Contribute to the ongoing review and implementation of HR processes and policy, highlighting areas where policies can be improved through experiences gained in managing casework.
• Manage a caseload of sickness absence / ill health cases, ensuring timely intervention, policy compliance and appropriate case resolution.
• Coach and support managers to apply the sickness absence policy consistently and fairly, promoting effective attendance management and reducing organisational risk.
• Analyse sickness absence data, identifying trends and root causes, and develop evidence based recommendations and action plans with management teams to improve attendance outcomes.
• Act as client manager for formal investigations, ensuring investigations are commissioned, managed and concluded in a timely, fair and procedurally compliant manner.
• Provide professional HR advice and support to investigating officers, chairs of hearings and appeals panels across the Council and schools (in accordance with the service level contract that has been purchased) enabling informed, consistent and legally compliant decision making.
• Contribute to the ongoing review of HR policies, procedures, templates and process documentation in conjunction with the ER Consultant and HR Policy Lead, ensuring advice and practices remain current, effective and fit for purpose.
• Deliver training and coach managers in ER related areas to build confidence, capability and consistency in managing people related issues.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE OF THE ER CONSULTANT ABSENCE LEAD

• Have experience of managing sickness absence or employee relations casework
• Possess a good understanding of employment law and its practical application to attendance management
• Be confident coaching and challenging managers to ensure robust and timely case management
• Have excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility with managers at all levels
• Be comfortable analysing data and translating insights into practical actions and improvements
• Have strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Hold a CIPD qualification or equivalent relevant experience

If you are a ER Consultant Absence Lead, apply now or send your CV to Spinwell!