Employee Relations Advisor

Diversity matters at Lush, a partly employee-owned, family-run company that believes in putting more back into the world than it takes.

As an Employee Relations Advisor, you will provide expert advice and support on all matters related to employee relations, including handling disciplinary actions, grievances, performance management, and workplace investigations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Empower managers and leads to deliver the ultimate employee experience by creating and sharing people learning resources, and delivering people training as required.
• Build trusted relationships with all employees, to support the alignment of people practices and business priorities and collaborate on people projects.
• Take a commercial approach when dealing with complex employee situations through robust people practices and complying with employment law legislation.
• Remain up to date with best practice and employment law changes and communicate these through support teams.
• Work strategically alongside the company goals and changing landscapes, to enhance employee experience through improved people practices and policies.
• Provide guidance, advice, and support to managers and leaders on all areas of the employee journey.
• Manage and resolve complex or escalated employee relations cases, including disciplinary actions, grievances, and workplace disputes.
• Advise and support managers on performance management processes, including appraisals, capability assessments, and improvement plans.
• Assist in developing and delivering training programs for managers on employee relations, performance management, and related topics.
• Provide guidance on conflict resolution techniques and promote a culture of open communication.
• Support enquiries through a central inbox, to provide relevant and current information for all employees.
• Maintain accurate records of employee relations cases, ensuring confidentiality and data protection compliance.
• Proactively seek development, connections and knowledge to improve your standard of service and professional development.
• Advocate for accessibility, and ensure an excellent employee experience from start to end of the employee journey.
• Support the wider people team and work when required.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise:

• Proven experience in a people management or Employee Relations role in a fast-paced environment, with a strong understanding of UK employment law.
• Experience in handling complex employee relations cases, including grievances, disciplinaries, and performance management.
• Experience in conducting workplace investigations and producing investigation reports.
• Solutions-focused problem solver.
• Excellent and effective communication skills, and excellent at building trusted relationships.
• Able to hold difficult conversations.
• Coaching skills.
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and integrity in handling sensitive information.
• Proactive and self-motivated with the ability to manage own workload and prioritise.
• Maintains HR knowledge and practice through continuous professional development.
• A CIPD (Level 7) qualification or equivalent in Human Resources or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Experience in working with Whistleblowing cases and/or Trade Unions is preferred but not required.

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• 6 months of full pay for parental leave (primary caregiver must qualify for SMP)
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Bonus scheme
• Day off for weekday birthdays
• Holiday purchase scheme
• 50% discount on Lush products and spa treatments
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted rail and bus season tickets
• Employee assistance programme
• Wellbeing & mindfulness sessions
• Access to employee-led Community Networks