Employee Relations Case Investigator

Overview

We are seeking an impartial and highly organised Employee Relations Case Investigator to join our People Directorate at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts. The closing date is 23 March 2026.

This pivotal role is responsible for leading and conducting high-quality investigations into employment matters. You will manage your own caseload, ensuring investigations are fair, objective, timely, and aligned with Just Culture principles, GDPR requirements and NUH policy. You will act as a neutral third-party investigator, producing clear, analytical reports and communicating findings professionally with key stakeholders.

We are looking for someone who:

• Demonstrates strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice
• Writes clear, structured and analytical reports
• Can manage emotional and sensitive situations with professionalism
• Maintains strict confidentiality and neutrality
• Thrives in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment
• Is highly organised and able to manage competing priorities
• You will be confident working independently while also collaborating effectively with senior stakeholders.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and manage a caseload of complex employee relations investigations from initiation through to conclusion.
• Develop clear investigation plans aligned to agreed Terms of Reference and ensure investigations are completed within agreed timescales.
• Act as a neutral and impartial investigator, applying Just Culture principles at all times.
• Conduct formal witness interviews (virtually and face-to-face), gathering detailed and accurate statements.
• Identify, collect and analyse relevant documentary, electronic and testimonial evidence from multiple sources.
• Interpret complex, sensitive and sometimes highly emotive information in line with employment law, GDPR and Trust policies.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive and confidential records in appropriate systems.
• Produce high-quality, structured written investigation reports that clearly outline findings, analysis, relevant policies and evidence considered.
• Provide regular updates to the Commissioning Manager in line with agreed reporting arrangements.
• Treat all individuals involved in investigations with sensitivity, fairness and professionalism.

About us

With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.

Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!

We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.

Job responsibilities

• Lead fair and impartial investigations within agreed timescales
• Develop structured investigation plans aligned to Terms of Reference
• Conduct formal witness interviews (virtual and face-to-face)
• Analyse complex and sensitive information from multiple sources
• Maintain accurate records in line with governance standards
• Liaise with commissioning managers and People Directorate colleagues
• Contribute to policy improvement and ER best practice

Person Specification Qualifications

• Level 7 or experience commensurate to this level
• CIPD reg

Experience

• Proven experience in an HR generalist role
• Experience of advising on complex terms and conditions
• Experience of extracting information from systems
• Experience of preparing complex reports / letters
• Experience of communicating complex and sensitive information to different levels of staff
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with matters sensitively
• Ability to act on own initiative and able to know when to escalate matters
• Ability to analyse highly complex information
• Ability to undertake research on complex matters and information
• Ability to manage own workload and adjust where necessary
• Experience in a large unionised organisation
• NHS experience
• Experience of ESR

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts