Employee Relations Specialist

A leading national organisation is seeking a skilled Employee Relations (ER) Specialist to join its Human Resources division. This role is focused on managing day-to-day industrial relations (IR) matters to ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant treatment of employees across the business.

The ER Specialist will support line management in all employee relations matters, including misconduct, poor performance, disciplinary processes, and external dispute resolution. The ideal candidate will have a sound understanding of labour legislation, strong investigation skills, and the ability to provide proactive and compliant guidance.

Key Responsibilities :

Conduct internal investigations into ER matters, compile reports, and recommend appropriate actions

Provide support to management on poor performance and disciplinary issues, including the preparation of charges

Assist with drafting disciplinary hearing documents and outcomes

Guide managers on preparing for CCMA cases and assist with proceedings where required

Advise on Department of Employment and Labour inspections related to BCEA, OHSA, and other regulations

Contribute to the development of IR policies, procedures, and training materials

Manage the anonymous whistleblower process in compliance with relevant legislation

Participate in ER / IR projects and initiatives as required

Provide regular reporting on ER trends, case statistics, and risk areas

Requirements :

Relevant tertiary qualification in Human Resources or Industrial Relations

A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree is advantageous

Minimum of 2 years'' experience in an IR-focused role, or HR Generalist role with strong IR exposure

Experience in the retail or service sectors is advantageous

Sound knowledge of South African labour laws and employee relations frameworks

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Excellent investigative and report-writing ability

Ability to remain impartial, objective, and confidential in sensitive matters

Detail-oriented, highly organised, and able to work under pressure

Strong interpersonal and advisory skills, with the ability to guide and influence line management

Proactive, solutions-oriented, and resilient