West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service: Employee Relations Investigator

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
Employee Relations Investigator Fire Service Headquarters / Hybrid Working

£30,151 - £32,909 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join one of the country’s leading Fire and Rescue Services.
We serve a population of more than two million people spread over almost 800 square miles. We are an organisation where everyone is encouraged, trusted and supported to play their part in promoting safety and wellbeing across all communities in West Yorkshire.
We’re looking for a motivated Employee Relations Investigator to join our Human Resources Team. This is a new post created at a time when the reputation of the fire service is under significant scrutiny. West Yorkshire is proud of its reputation as a top class employer, confirmed following our recent inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate. However, we are not complacent and see this role as key to maintaining the confidence of our staff, stakeholders and the public at large in the service.
In this role, you’ll work on a wide range of complex ER cases, including grievances, disciplinary investigations and appeals. This role would suit someone who’s either gained employee relations skills through people management, or has a keen interest in ER and HR and wants to build a career in this area of the business. It may also suit someone who is not currently working in HR but can demonstrate investigative skills and experience.
You don’t need to be an expert in ER and employment law, the team can help you with that. What’s more important to us is that you’re passionate about using policy and processes to get the right results for our colleagues and the wider business, are inquisitive and have great communication skills. If this sounds like you, then read on to find out more.
As an investigator, you will work as part of a dynamic team responsible for investigating concerns involving alleged breaches of our Code of Conduct & Ethics and policies. This includes cases of alleged discrimination, harassment, workplace bullying, and other misconduct issues.
You will manage a caseload of multiple investigations, working both autonomously and collaboratively with fellow team members. Additionally, you will work with HR Business Partners and Senior Managers and Trade Unions and will interact with employees at all levels of the service, helping to build trust, understanding and transparency and instill confidence in our employee relations function.
We offer flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working. Whilst you will be required to work from our offices for parts of your initial training, after this you'll work both in the office and from home as part of our 'hybrid' working model. Therefore, applicants must also have a car available for work purposes with valid business insurance and a reliable home internet connection.
The post is subject to a basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check and the possession of current valid driving licence.
We offer an excellent package, including Local Government Pension Scheme, free parking, 37 hour flexible working week, an employee assistance programme, training and development, sports and social clubs with free use of gym. Job share applicants welcome.
For further details of this and all our vacancies and to apply online please visit www.wyfs.co.uk/careers
Closing date for all applications is Sunday 16th April 2023.
For an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Rachel McArdle, Head of HR at rachel.mcardle@westyorkshire.gov.uk
We are an equal opportunities employer; we value and celebrate equality, diversity & neurodiversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome candidates from communities that are currently under-represented at WYFRS, including women, Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic applicants and applicants with disabilities. We can offer support and adjustments for candidates and staff who experience barriers to work that result from health conditions or Specific Learning Differences, such as dyslexia.
WYFRS is a ‘Real Living Wage’ employer and have been rated ‘good’ by HMICFRS in all areas of our service.