Job Introduction
This opportunity is currently being offered on a fixed term contract basis until 31 March 2027. However, if budgets allow the contract length may be extended and/or become permanent, though this is not guaranteed. If an internal council employee wishes to apply for this role, a secondment opportunity may be considered (please state this on your application).
Help us improve attendance, wellbeing and service delivery across Medway
We're investing in our people and are recruiting Employee Relations Consultants to join a dedicated team focused exclusively on supporting managers to effectively manage sickness absence across the organisation.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a measurable impact on organisational performance, employee wellbeing and service delivery. Working closely with managers across a diverse range of services, you will provide expert advice, practical coaching and hands-on support to ensure absence cases are managed proactively, fairly and consistently, driving improvements in attendance and reducing sickness absence levels across the council.
About the role
As an ER Consultant, your primary focus will be the management of sickness absence and ill-health cases. You will work directly with managers, building their confidence and capability in applying the Council's sickness absence policy and supporting them to take timely and appropriate action throughout the absence management process.
You will:
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Manage a caseload of sickness absence and ill-health cases from referral through to resolution
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Coach and support managers to effectively manage attendance issues and challenging absence cases
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Provide practical guidance on return-to-work planning, reasonable adjustments, long-term absence, occupational health referrals and capability processes
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Analyse attendance data and identify trends, hotspots and opportunities for intervention
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Work with management teams to develop action plans that improve attendance and reduce absence levels
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Deliver manager briefings, workshops and coaching sessions to improve understanding and application of the Council's sickness absence policy
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Collaborate with Occupational Health, HR colleagues and other stakeholders to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes for employees and services
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Contribute to continuous improvement of absence management processes, guidance and toolkits
About you
We're looking for motivated HR professionals who are passionate about supporting managers, improving attendance and delivering excellent employee relations outcomes.
You will:
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Have experience of managing sickness absence or employee relations casework
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Possess a good understanding of employment law and its practical application to attendance management
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Be confident coaching and challenging managers to ensure robust and timely case management
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Have excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility with managers at all levels
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Be comfortable analysing data and translating insights into practical actions and improvements
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Have strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
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Hold a CIPD qualification or equivalent relevant experience
What success looks like
In this role, success will be measured by your ability to:
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Increase manager confidence and capability in managing attendance.
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Improve consistency in the application of absence management processes.
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Support the timely progression of sickness absence cases.
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Reduce sickness absence rates across services.
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Deliver positive employee outcomes while maintaining high standards of fairness and compliance.
Why join us?
You'll be joining a supportive HR team at a time of significant focus on employee wellbeing, attendance and organisational performance. This is an opportunity to make a visible difference, work closely with managers across the organisation and play a key role in delivering Medway Council's people priorities.
If you're passionate about supporting managers, improving attendance and helping create a healthy, productive workforce, we'd love to hear from you.
If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager please email [email protected]
Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. The salary you will be offered will be at level A. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.
When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.
The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:
Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.
Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.
Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.
The Employee Relations Team are seeking an Employee Relations Consultant to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.
Important Information-
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Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role.
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Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.
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For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
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Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
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Please note, we prioritise applications from current Medway Council redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.
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We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.
