Colleague Relations Specialist - CR Services

Colleague & Labour Relations Specialist (CR Services)

Because the people always make the place. This is retail our way.

A people-first culture. Work with impact. A business that’s growing and investing. Just look at our 70,000+ colleagues in 430 stores across 16 global markets, all leaving their mark.

We strive to keep our colleagues at the heart of everything we do – we’re caring, dynamic and we succeed together. In this role, the CR Specialist provides timely and proactive colleague relations support and advice to the P&C Business Partnering teams, Retail Managers, and Colleagues. They support the effective delivery of case management, investigation & process resolution, interpretation of internal policies, and ad hoc support as
required.

What You’ll Do

CR Services

• Support the CR/LR Lead by owning the development, maintenance and facilitation of all CR training activities, including core training and ad hoc requirements; partner with the Talent, Culture, and Development CoE colleagues in-country on any local market training requirements
• Support the CR/LR Lead by serving as the subject matter expert for training / development programs that require CR input
• Support the CR/LR lead by owning the delivery of all CR training activities, including both in-person and virtual facilitation for core training programs as well as ad hoc programs as required based on business needs
• Support the CR/LR Lead by consolidating & analyzing CR data, including data management on exit interviews
• Support the CR/LR Lead by partnering with the Corporate Affairs Team and Internal Communications, Engagement, Community & Inclusion Team to ensure work products & programs reflect correct local CR nuances, legislation, etc.
• Support the CR/LR Lead by serving as subject matter expert for reward programs / materials that require CR input   

Case Management

• Accountable for supporting and guiding on CR related concerns based on case load
• Partner with key stakeholders including P&C Business Partnering Team, Area Managers and Store Management to support great outcomes and bring matters to a resolution
• Be a trusted adviser and subject matter expert in supporting, coaching, guiding managers at all levels of the business, providing accurate and timely advice on all employee relations matters in line with our internal policies and procedures and consistent with good practice and employment law requirements including but not limited to: corrective action; capability (sickness and performance); flexible working; family leave; working time and probation cases
• Partner with P&C BPs to provide specialist guidance on complex Employee Relations matters, ensuring consistent application of policies and alignment with Primark Values & Behaviours and organizational values and legal standards.
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with P&C BPs through regular communication, data insights, and skill enhancement initiatives to proactively address CR issues and support a positive employee experience
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, both written and oral and be able to influence and impact colleagues at all levels
• Be proactive and creative in considering strategies and solutions
• Work collaboratively with other CR team members by sharing best practice and assisting with cases, as and when required 
• Review CR documentation and provide feedback to stakeholders to ensure the content is clear, objective and legally compliant and manage this within the SLA timescales
• Provide regular employment law/ CR updates both written and in the form of live learning to clearly drive high standards
• Accurately and continuously update CR trackers
• Support the CR/LR Lead in providing timely and accurate responses to high profile employee relations queries
• Support senior managers in dealing with high profile CR cases, risk assessing situations, giving accurate and timely advice
• Liaise and escalate cases to relevant stakeholders on significant cases including but not limited to Corporate PR, D&I, Security, Legal, Compliance and Data Privacy, Profit Protection and Occupational Health.
• Liaise with external solicitors and key stakeholders in order to progress cases within required deadlines
• Attend employment tribunals if needed to support the key witnesses and represent the business and use key learnings to improve the quality of future advice and limit business risk
• Considers the relevant legislation when managing a case, assessing the risk and ensuring the company remains legally compliant. Proactively and consistently consider lessons learned and any follow up actions required
• Proactively keep up to date with all relevant legislative changes which affect the business
• Contribute towards, elevate and deliver new and existing training to support the upskilling of management teams

What You’ll Get

We’re committed to your success and will provide you with an onboarding period in Primark’s other U.S. trading areas. Here, you’ll be empowered to succeed. As we rapidly expand across the globe, we’ll give you the tools that you need to excel. We’ll also offer you competitive benefits and work life balance – we know your life outside of the store is important.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong and demonstrable experience in Employee Relations in a fast moving, multi-site organisation; including practical experience in managing day to day ER cases and change management projects
• Great up-to-date knowledge of employee relations practice and employment law
• Strong ability to coach and influence all levels of management on ER cases
• Ability to communicate effectively (both oral and written) and build relationships at all levels
• Ability to work well under pressure, be resilient, prioritise and meet deadlines
• Ability to demonstrate credibility within the organisation
• Good team working skills
• Communicate tactfully, professionally, diplomatically and confidentially at all times, providing regular updates to stakeholders
• Excellent technology skills.

Excited? Good. Because it’s energising to put your skills to work, in a growing global business committed to helping people express themselves – and feel a sense of belonging.

We encourage all our people to grow, learn, and develop, and we can’t wait to see how you’ll positively impact colleagues in this role. Apply to join as a People & Culture Advisor and be welcomed to the world of Primark.

The pay range for this role is: $97,360 - $146,040

This is a good faith estimate of the minimum and maximum we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  The base pay rate offered will account for internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region of work, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors.

Our fashion isn’t one-size-fits-all and neither is our culture. Primark promotes equal employment opportunity, we strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can be themselves, access opportunities and thrive together. Excited? Good. There’s real accountability and ownership here as you shape your store, team’s futures, and steer sales. It’s energizing to put your skills to work, in a growing local and global business committed to helping people express themselves- and feel a sense of belonging. Because you thrive outside your comfort zone. Apply today to start your Primark journey!

Primark is an equal opportunity employer. Primark does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Primark is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please email [email protected] with your request. This email is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.