People Officer

The People Operations team are looking to appoint a highly motivated People Officer. As part of the First Line Response Team, you will be the first point of contact in providing advice and guidance regarding all generalist HR queries with a particular focus on sickness absence. Educated to CPP level or equivalent, you will have excellent communication skills and a “can do” attitude to problem solving and resolution of first line HR enquiries.

This role will particularly focus on supporting the Trust in the management of sickness absence across the Trust. A key responsibility will be supporting staff and managers at absence review meetings and as such you will be adept at managing confidential and sensitive information. You will have a keen eye for detail and ensure that reports are produced and distributed in an accurate and timely fashion.

Please be advised there is a proposed interview date of 4th July.

To provide procedural advice for all matters in relation to sickness absence. This will include advising managers regarding the setting of absence triggers in accordance with the Trust’s Attendance Management policy and attending short and long term absence reviews to provide specialist advice and adherence to Trust policy and best practice.

To ensure the production of appropriate letters/minutes following absence review meetings to ensure that all actions are appropriately captured. To ensure the follow up of any agreed actions such as scheduling further review meetings, instigating or supporting referrals to Occupational Health or external support services. To escalate more complex cases to the Trainee People Advisors as appropriate.

To ensure that sickness absence data is recorded and maintained in line with departmental processes. To ensure that all absence cases are recorded and updated in Selenity system/ESR as appropriate and that reports are generated on a regular basis to monitor against departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Acting as a point of escalation, support the First Line Response (FLR) Team to provide consistent advice and guidance to managers and staff regarding all HR policies, procedures and employment legislation; directing queries as appropriate and escalating more complex issues to the Trainee People Advisors as appropriate.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence®designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award.Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Schedule hearings and prepare reports for ill health capability and Stage 3 hearings ensuring that all reasonable steps have been considered and explored before progression to this stage.

To review and distribute absence KPI’s and info graphics and provide summary information as required for the People Operations Team.

To coordinate and chair an absence production board with operational colleagues to analyse and identify themes and trends in relation to absence data. To proactively engage with departmental managers to undertake “deep dive” reviews into areas of concern and make recommendations for improvement.

To provide bespoke attendance management updates and training as required and to contribute to delivery of Trust wide attendance management training as required.

To escalate complex sickness absence queries/cases to the Trainee People Advisors as appropriate.

To employ a customer service approach and excellent communication skills at all times. The post holder will be required to communicate professionally at all times and employ tact and diplomacy in responding to queries from staff and managers. The post holder will be required to behave with compassion and respect particularly in regard to attendance at absence review meetings and hearings.

To liaise and work in conjunction with HR colleagues across the People Directorate as appropriate to maintain effective communication, ensuring that best practice is shared and developed and to facilitate cross cover for colleagues.

For further details of the job role please see attached job description.