Head of Employee Relations Jobs
As companies get larger, the workforce can become a powerful group. Industrial disputes are a reality of running a company, and managed badly they can reduce productivity, worry investors and hand advantages to competitors. That’s why many companies employ a head of employee relations. This role has the task of liaising with the workforce’s representatives, be they employees, shop stewards or third party union reps, to ensure relations between them and the senior management are optimal to the success and productivity of the company.
The head of employee relations is called upon to settle grievances and deal with disciplinary proceedings in a way that is seen to be fair, balanced and consistent. There are also health and safety considerations to contend with, and other aspects of employment law that affect the sector. Depending on the size of the company and the complexity of the employment picture, the head may also be asked to create a team of employee relations staff who oversee certain areas of the business.
The skills required
The overriding skill for this job is a demonstrable ability to deal with the reasonable demands of employees in a way that keeps them satisfied while maintaining maximum profitability and stability for the company. This can be a tough job, although expectations can be managed by ensuring employees’ rights and the company’s expectations of them are communicated to them at the contract stage.
Experience of dealing with unions is a bonus that will stand you in good stead in certain industries. An ability to foster relationships where employees can recognize the benefits of a harmonious atmosphere will be a valuable asset in the role. Avoiding disputes by constant communication with employees and/or their representatives and the board, plus any HR managers and directors, is key, so a CV that shows you have maintained good relations between employees and management will be useful.
Head of Employee Relations Jobs in Humberside
Located in northern England, Humberside was a county until it was abolished in 1996 and replaced with several unitary authorities, including Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. Although it may be gone in name, the communities in Humberside offer a variety of roles for those seeking Head of Employee Relations positions.
Humberside was created in 1972 as part of the Local Government Act. Before this, the regions that made up the county had been based in a variety of sectors, including agriculture, shipbuilding and manufacturing. However, the county suffered due to its north and south sections being separated by the River Humber until the Humber Bridge was completed in 1981.
These days, the regions that once made up Humberside have gone through significant regeneration and have economies that are predominantly based in the service sector and tourism.
Hull is an important port town, both for cargo and ferries to Europe. It's also home to a number of chemical and pharmaceutical companies like Reckitt Benckiser, BP, Seven Seas and Smith & Nephew.
Meanwhile, Grimsby is known for its fishing and it sees a lot of containerised cargo enter its ports every year. The fish that comes into the town is processed here and both Young's Seafood and Findus produce fresh and frozen fish products.
Other companies based in Humberside, or with large facilities in the region, include Tata Steel, Corus, Singleton Birch, BOC, Nisa Today and Ericsson.
Popular locations
Find Head of Employee Relations Jobs with Cast UK
In a changing business landscape, it’s more vital than ever to have employees working with management to maintain profitability, and that’s why many companies are looking to hire specialist employee relationship managers. If you have experience that you could bring to this role, call Cast UK today on 0333 121 3345.
Cast UK is a recruitment consultancy that deals solely with management and executive level posts. We build relationships with companies so clients know they can rely on us to find them the best candidates for their management roles. In turn, we point candidates to the companies that are searching for people to fill their management vacancies. It’s a win-win situation, and employee relations specialists know what that feels like.
Contact us