Employee Relations Specialist

Who are we?
Sanlam Developing Markets [SDM] (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sanlam Life Limited) is one of the top financial services providers in the South African entry-level and emerging middle market. It aims to understand the unique requirements of clients and offers a wide range of simple and affordable financial solutions that cover needs such as funeral insurance, savings for education, life cover and personal accident plans. In terms of the Sanlam Group Governance Policy, SDM is managed by the SA Retail Mass cluster, which is part of the Sanlam Life and Savings cluster within the Sanlam Group. The cluster focusses on retail products, as well as group schemes. What will you do?
To provide the necessary professional expertise and operations support to Employee Relations and strategic transformation through maintaining and evaluating employee relations policies and practice in promoting sound business labour relations for the Sanlam Retail Mass cluster.

Key Responsibilities
Manage sound Employee Relations

**Support the Head Employee Relations and Transformation**: Employee Relations, Transformation and Compliance in the implementation of the HC strategy and achievement of all linked targets;
Provide specialist advise, guidance and support to Line Managers, retail mass employees and the HC team in the effective management of the employee relations procedures and processes, disciplinary procedures and grievance procedures;
Advise Line Management, Human Capital Business Partners and staff in resolution of disputes;
Attend to disciplinary matters in terms of relevant documentation, legal advice obtained, communication, research and consultations with all effected parties, in accordance with agreed policies;
Provide orientation sessions and workshops on Employee Relations processes and procedures through scheduled or mandatory training workshops for Human Capital Business Partners and Line Managers
Provide specialist advise, guidance, support and representation on policy and procedure development and maintenance;
Prepare reports on an annual and monthly basis in respect to all employee relations and Transformation targets and statutory requirements;
Identify and define trends, barriers and impending risks with respect to employee relations issues;
Prepare for proceedings through case law research and compiling bundles for the CCMA commissioners
Maintain and update all employee relations policies and procedures, ensuring the enforcement and adherence of these policies and procedures by advising and monitoring management and employees
Facilitate the up skilling of HCBP’s and other key stakeholders on latest employee relations developments and legislative changes including the continuous provision of advice and coaching
Communicate and implement the latest SA Labour legislation ensuring compliance by all stakeholders
Ensures legal compliance by monitoring legislative requirements, driving disciplinary and grievance processes
Maintain management guidelines by preparing, updating and recommending employee relations policies and procedures
Ensure management compliance to all internal procedures on grievances and disciplinary enquiries
Provide operations oversight and support on all employee relations dispute cases within the company ensuring that sound, fair and appropriate practices are followed in accordance with legislation, agreements with employees/ union and company policies and procedures
Key Outputs
Employee Relations and Transformation Reporting
Implement and maintain a comprehensive administration system, ensuring the accuracy and currency of all related information
Complete analysis and reports of Sanlam Retail Mass cluster disciplinary enquiries, identifying trends and support in providing feedback to the HR leadership and Sanlam Retail Mass Management
Maintain an electronic library of all Sanlam Retail Mass Employee Relations cases for referral in ensuring sound business and employee relations within Sanlam Retail Mass.
Provide reports on internal and external trends or risks in employee relations that may impact the Sanlam Retail Mass cluster.
Stay abreast of latest employee relations legislation, trends and best practice for benchmarking purposes and share with management and the broader HC community
Stakeholder Relations
Build and maintain effective relationships with HC and Sanlam Retail Mass management
Support compliance with legislation and Sanlam Retail Mass policies at all times
Ensure that stakeholders are supported in their communication, consultation and negotiations including managerial staff restructuring and redundancy processes
Support ad hoc projects that are aligned to the annual priorities and HC strategy What will make you successful in this role?

**Qualifications**:
LLB Degree
Post-graduate qualification in Labour Law or Employee Relations
Knowledge & Experience
Specialist ER, forensic or general legal experience
Knowledge of all applicable labour legislation in South Africa,