Employer Relations Specialist

Project overview

Employee Relations Specialist (Absence Management)

3-Month Contract | Inside IR35 | £280 per day

Hybrid Working - 2 days per week on site in London or Manchester

Are you an experienced Employee Relations professional with a strong background in managing complex absence cases? We're seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to join a busy HR team on an initial 3-month contract, supporting managers through a high-volume caseload focused primarily on long-term sickness absence and occupational health management. The position focusses on providing expert ER advice, coaching managers, and ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation and best practice.

The Role

This is a fast-paced, hands-on ER position where you'll act as a trusted advisor to managers, helping them navigate complex employee relations matters while delivering practical, commercially focused solutions.

Project details

Managing high volumes of long-term sickness absence cases

Coordinating and reviewing occupational health referrals and recommendations

Advising managers on absence management processes and best practice

Building strong relationships with stakeholders across multiple business areas

Coaching managers through sensitive employee conversations and formal processes

Ensuring cases are managed compliantly in line with UK employment law and company policies

Maintaining accurate documentation and case records

Identifying trends and recommending improvements to absence management practices

About You

We're looking for someone who can hit the ground running and confidently manage a busy ER caseload from day one.

You'll ideally have:

Proven experience in Employee Relations or HR Advisory roles

Significant experience managing long-term sickness absence cases

Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice

Experience working closely with Occupational Health providers

Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills

The ability to balance empathy with a practical, business-focused approach

Strong organisational skills with experience handling high case volumes

CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience) preferred

What's on Offer?

Competitive rate of £280 per day (Inside IR35)

Initial 3-month contract

Immediate opportunity to add value within an established HR function

High-autonomy role with stakeholder exposure across the business

Supportive and collaborative HR team environment

If you're an experienced ER professional with a strong absence management background and are available at short notice, we'd love to hear from you.

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• Start: flexible
• Duration: 3 months
• Remote: hybrid
• Location: Lancashire, United Kingdom, GB
• Rate: 35-35 EUR/h