Colleague Relations Coordinator - 12 Month FTC

Location: We welcome applications from those looking for hybrid working, based in our Handforth (Cheshire) Office. Flexible days

About the role

Every company has different titles. At Pets, the Colleague Relations Coordinator will provide initial advice and guidance on colleague relations matters to managers.  The advice will be given across a range of people topics and therefore UK employment law is essential as well as sensitivity, along with knowing when to escalate or pass on to a Colleague Relations Advisor.

Experience or first level of CIPD qualification is desirable whilst excellent listening and people skills are essential. This role is rewarding and challenging, with high volumes of cases and a fast pace.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide timely, initial (first-line) colleague relations advice to our Retail Stores and Support Office line managers, particularly on people policies, procedures, and terms and conditions of employment. This will be mainly telephone-based and in written format but could also be face-to-face where required.
• Support the People Assistants to manage the Colleague Relations inbox as part of the wider team ensuring case allocation and timely responses to emails.
• Be responsible for managing the less complex long-term cases with support from Colleague Relations Advisors.
• Ensure the automated processes are working correctly and test out new functionality.
• Responsible for your own colleague relations cases which will be supported and mentored through a Colleague Relations Advisor / Senior Colleague Relations Advisor.
• Ability to understand when to take responsibility to resolve issues and when to escalate to Colleague Relations Advisor, People Business Partner(s), or line manager etc.
• Ensure that you always work within the boundaries of current employment legislation and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when handling colleague data and throughout the activities or projects you are involved in.
• Work closely with the People Specialist for Risk and Compliance to support reporting requirements for cases and tribunals.
• Provide advice and guidance on people issues to promote best practices and minimise risk to our Retail Stores and Support Office which helps to deliver our People strategy and enhance our overall performance.
• Support hearings and meetings as a note-taker on occasion.
• Check and advise on basic letters for individual colleague relation cases.
• Responsible for ensuring you are up to date with all employment legislation changes and ensuring relevant legal compliance in all HR activities.
• To work within the values and behaviours of the Company and display high standards of integrity and professionalism towards colleagues and all stakeholders.
• Consistently meet the Service Level Expectations directly linked within the Colleague Relations team and proactively communicate when there may be unexpected delays with all stakeholders.
• Work closely with your peers to ensure a seamless delivery of service by understanding their roles/challenges and responding to these by working together to deliver improvements.

About You

• Basic knowledge of UK employment law is essential.
• CIPD level 3 qualified or working towards qualification.
• PC literate (Word processing, spreadsheets, databases).
• Strong collaborative team player, excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to show initiative and time management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
• Good problem-solving skills and diplomacy.
• Self-motivation and enthusiasm

Pets just see people. They aren’t biased and they don’t discriminate. We take our inspiration from pets, and we value and respect difference in all its forms. Our aim is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and every colleague can help us achieve this. We encourage our people to be themselves so even if your skills and experience don’t perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you.