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Employee Relations Advisor

London - Commercial

Who we are

We are an organisation that exists to drive progress. That's the “red thread” that connects everyone at The Economist Group (TEG). Our businesses share a devotion to innovation, independence and rigour in their fields of expertise. We empower people to understand and tackle the critical challenges and changes facing the world. Our analytical rigour, global expertise and evidence-based insights enable individuals and organisations to make sense of these shifts and chart a course through them.

We deliver analysis and insights in many formats to subscribers and clients in 170 countries through our four businesses, The Economist, Economist Impact, Economist Intelligence and Economist Education, which uphold our global reputation for excellence and integrity. 

The Employee Relations Advisor plays a key global role within the People Services team, providing expert guidance and support on all aspects of employee relations. Reporting to the Head of People Services, this role ensures that policies and procedures are in place and applied fairly and consistently while working closely in partnership with People Business Partners and other stakeholders. The Employee Relations Advisor will support the business in handling grievances and disciplinaries, as well as ensuring compliance with employment legislation and organisational best practice alongside commercial judgement.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Development & Compliance

  • Lead the design, review, development, and implementation of people policies and procedures and tools to align with employment legislation and business needs
  • Ensure managers, people partners and employees understand and apply policies correctly through guidance and training
  • Keep abreast of employment law developments, proactively advising on necessary policy updates

Employee Relations Case Management

  • Conduct investigations, attend hearings in relation to disciplinary and grievance matters 
  • Ensure fair and consistent application of policies in all areas of employee relations
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all ER cases, ensuring compliance with data protection and confidentiality standards

Manager Coaching & Support

  • Provide coaching and guidance to improve business capability in handling people-related matters effectively
  • Deliver training sessions on key ER topics, equipping managers with the skills and knowledge needed to handle complex situations

Employee Engagement & Wellbeing

  • Contribute to People Team initiatives that foster employee engagement, wellbeing, and inclusion

Data Analysis & Reporting

  • Utilise ER case data to identify trends and recommend proactive interventions, working in collaboration with COEs where appropriate 
  • Prepare reports for the Head of People Services, Head of People Business Partnering and senior leadership, highlighting key risks, trends, and areas for improvement
  • Use the colleague survey results and other data points to inform priorities 

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Proven experience in an Employee Relations or HR Advisory role, ideally within a fast-paced, complex organisation
  • Strong knowledge of UK (and either US or Asia) employment law and HR best practice
  • Experience managing ER cases, including performance, disciplinary, grievance and sickness
  • Proven ability to bring clarity and structure to complex, ambiguous situations
  • Ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively with managers, employees, and colleagues.
  • Excellent problem-solving, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, pragmatic advice at all levels
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment

Desirable Skills & Experience

  • Previous experience supporting organisational change initiatives
  • Familiarity with HR case management systems and data analysis tools.

Key Behaviours & Attributes

  • Confident, professional, and able to handle sensitive situations with discretion at all levels
  • Solutions-focused with a proactive approach to problem-solving
  • Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
  • Strong collaborator and communicator
  • Able to remain impartial and objective when dealing with ER matters
  • Able to work with independence and drive
  • Comfortable taking both a strategic and operational approach

#LI-Hybrid 

What we offer

Benefits
We offer excellent benefits including an incentive programme, generous annual and parental leave policies, volunteering days and well-being support throughout the year, as well as free access to all Economist content. Country specific benefits are also offered.

Our Values
Our values are a collective set of beliefs and behaviours that strengthen The Economist Group's purpose and demonstrate where we want to be as an organisation. They reflect on our mission to pursue progress for individuals, organisations and the world.

Independence
We are not bound to any party or interest and encourage exploration and free-thinking. We champion freedom, both within our organisation and around the world.

Integrity
We are bold in our efforts to uncover the truth and stand up for what we believe in. We inspire trust through our rigour, fact-checking and transparency.

Excellence
We aspire to the highest standards in all we do. We are ambitious and inquisitive in our pursuit of continuous progress and innovation.

Inclusivity
We value diversity in thought and background and encourage healthy debate with a breadth of perspectives. We treat our colleagues and customers fairly and respectfully.

Openness
We foster a collaborative and empathetic culture conducive to the interests, wit and initiative of our colleagues. New ideas are our lifeblood.

The Economist Group values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues and potential colleagues regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, gender identity, race, colour, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status or any other status.

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