Reg Davies is head of employee relations at the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. He has a BA in economics, specialising in international history, and is CIPD qualified.
“The roles in employee relations are immensely rewarding, and every day presents new challenges,” he explains. “My team’s primary focus is to provide advice and support on procedures, employee relations best practice and employment law to all levels of management right across the council, and the management of our relationships and formal negotiations with our recognised trade unions. We also provide learning and development training on employee relations.”
His HR background was acquired in social services, and he has worked for Hammersmith and Fulham for his entire 30-year career.
“I began as a personnel assistant and worked my way up,” he says. “I learned about every level of the job, which is invaluable experience, and feel I demonstrate a real commitment to the field of employee relations and the work of the council.”
Davies has a team of six, and reports to an assistant HR director.
“Every day is varied,” he says. “You could be dealing with complex cases about discipline, grievances, harassment or sickness, or be involved in formal consultation with union representatives.
“No matter how well an organisation conducts itself and no matter how happy the employees, there will always be times when issues arise. Finding the solutions to and reaching agreement on those problems – especially when they look impossible to solve – is challenging, but incredibly rewarding.”
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Salary expectations: £30,000 to £65,000 ( Hays Human Resources)
