Employee Relations Specialist and EMEA

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be.

Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas. We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you.

We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world. All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer:
Your goals. Our ambition

Employee Relations Team HR Business Partners Reward & Benefits Team Diversity& Inclusion (Wellbeing) Team Learning & Development Team Early Careers & Recruitment Team Resource Management Team Partner Matters Team People Systems & Data Analytics Team People Operations Team Senior Business Services Leaders Partners and Practice Group Leaders Payroll Team

External Employment Law Counsel ACAS Trade Unions / Employee Representatives Relevant Professional bodies and regulators

• Provide expert advice and guidance to leaders on all employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, absence management, and redundancy processes.
• Manage and oversee complex ER cases end-to-end, ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes in accordance with firm policies and applicable employment legislation.
• Assist HR Business Partners and People Managers in the appropriate triage of ER queries, facilitating the resolution of lower-risk matters within the BP function where suitable, and ensuring the timely escalation of complex, contentious, or high-risk matters to the legally qualified members of the ER team.
• Responsible for completion of the operational aspects of settlement processes, including ensuring accurate completion of settlement checklists, liaising with relevant stakeholders, tracking and monitoring progress with agreed references, outplacement arrangements, and reconfirmation.
• Proactively develop, implement, maintain, and document ER policies, procedures, and guidance materials, ensuring they remain current and fit for purpose.
• Conduct and support internal investigations where required, including fact-finding, preparation of investigation reports, and attendance at formal hearings.
• Where necessary, support DSAR workflows, including coordinating with legal, People Operations, and relevant stakeholders, and assisting with document review processes.
• Facilitate and coordinate training programmes for managers on ER-related topics to build capability and awareness across the firm.
• Monitor ER case data and trends, providing regular management information and reporting to the Head of Employee Relations to inform strategic decision-making.
• Support risk owners to effectively manage psychosocial risk.
• Promote collaboration and ensure a system of communication between key stakeholders on WHS/respect matters with particular focus on legislative updates/changes that affect the SMS and WHS landscape.
• Meet ER data reporting…