Employee Relations Specialist (ER)

Role Duties and Responsibilities: Update ER SOP and all labour related policies and procedures, ensuring the enforcement and adherence of these policies and procedures. Ensuring the Party keeps abreast of new labour legislation and accurately updates Party policies. Ensure employees are timeously informed of all updates to policies by sending a memorandum with every change and ensuring upload to HR ManagerAssist employees and management in understanding policies by correctly responding to related queries. Conduct training on policies Investigate, prepare and initiate all formal discussions, disciplinary and incapacity cases. Provide appropriate assistance to line management in the compilation of disciplinary allegations (concerns) for formal discussions and general correspondence between the parties, in accordance with the Party's policies and procedures.Provide line management with correct guidance regarding the outcome of every formal discussion, in accordance with the Party's policies and procedure.Provide line management with accurate advice and recommendations in handling complaints and resolving informal conflicts, in accordance with the Party's policies and procedures. Accurately advise and support line management in actively managing poor performance/incapacity issues, including ill-health and disability matters, in accordance with the Party's policies and proceduresProperly conduct investigations for serious misconduct which may lead to disciplinary enquiries, in line with SOP. Professionally initiate disciplinary enquiries in accordance with SOP, the relevant legislation and methods of good practice.Correctly prepare suspension paperworkProfessionally represent the Party at the CCMA and therefore be conversant with all CCMA processes. Professionally conduct grievance mediation sessions and complete the appropriate reports.Accurately assist the provincial HR Officer with ER related matters, in line with SOP and the relevant policies. Maintaining a comprehensive ER administration system online and in hard copy. Providing legal advice to the Head of HR and the Chief operations Officer To provide sound legal advice to the Head of Human resources and the Chief Operations OfficerTo conduct the necessary research in respect of legal matters and consult the relevant stakeholdersTo conduct the necessary research in respect of legal matters and consult the relevant stakeholders Ensure the submission of Employment Equity plans and reports Correctly and timeously complete and submit the Employment Equity Plan and Report on the appropriate templateTo highlight any Employment Equity related risks to the Head of HR To provide ad hoc support to the department Ensure the employment agreement is updated in accordance with changes to Policy and LegislationIn conjunction with the Head of HR, appropriately deal with and respond to all queries received and ensure that there is always written feedbackTo support the HR department in other general responsibilities Provide assistance to the Head of HR Role Experience and Qualification:  Relevant tertiary qualification related to labour relations/labour law/human resources. 5 years of experience or exposure to the labour relations environment. Experience in investigating and initiating disciplinary enquiries and CCMA hearings. Experience in supporting retrenchment processes. Experience in mediating grievances. Experience in handling incapacity matters. Experience in submission of Employment Equity reports is advantageous Knowledge of South African Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Employment Equity Act and any other relevant legislation. Familiarity with HR information systems Excellent communication skills Strong coordinating skills Strong mediation skills Strong negotiation skills Good report writing skills Ability to work without supervision Time management skills