Band 7 – Employee Relations Manager (Sickness Support)

Job Summary:

As the Employee Relations Manager, you will lead the sickness support function, managing a team responsible for complex absence management cases across a large, unionised NHS organisation. This is a critical role requiring leadership in fast-paced environments, strategic coaching of senior managers, and direct engagement with operational leaders to reduce long-term absence and support organisational wellbeing.

Location: Croydon (4 days on site 1 day WFH)

Job Type: Temporary 

Duration of booking: Expected to last 4 months with possible extension

Proposed start date: ASAP

Pay Rates: Up to £26.16 per hour PAYE inclusive of holiday pay

Hours / Working Days: 37.5 hours per week / Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm 

Sector: Healthcare 

Based: Office / Hospital 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on complex sickness absence cases including long-term absence, phased returns, and reasonable adjustments.
• Provide high-level coaching and training to senior managers in managing absence effectively and lawfully.
• Collaborate closely with trade unions and HR Business Partners to ensure consistent policy application.
• Oversee a large and varied caseload while ensuring key performance indicators are met.
• Prepare and present reports to HR and operational leadership on sickness trends and interventions.
• Support improvement initiatives across employee wellbeing and sickness prevention.

Requirements:

• Proven experience managing complex sickness absence caseloads in large, unionised environments.
• Experience training and coaching managers in absence management.
• NHS or large public sector experience highly desirable.
• Ability to lead and influence at all levels with sound employment law knowledge.
• Willingness and flexibility to work onsite in hospitals or community settings at least 4 days per week.