Which types of organisation will typically employ an ER officer?
This role is most typically found within manufacturing and engineering firms with a strong union element. A lot of these firms dealing with auto and marine manufacturing are based in Portsmouth and Southampton areas.
What you need to succeed…
You must be a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development graduate, and have previous exposure to unionised environments. You would also be expected to have tribunal exposure as an ER specialist.
How to get into it…
From a generalist role as an HR adviser/officer you can gain exposure to ER by taking on projects in this area. It is worth gaining experience in a unionised environment early on so you have this under your belt. Or you could undertake some voluntary work with local employment tribunal boards.
What is involved…
You will typically advise employees and your employer on em-ployment legislation regarding employees and their working rights. This will in-volve negotiating with unions to secure changes in terms and conditions, pay increments and working hours.
You will be involved in representing employees and employers regarding disciplinary and grievances within the company and the potential to take these through to tribunal.
What are the prospects…
R is a niche field within HR and is therefore slightly better paid than generalist roles at the same level.
A natural career progression would be into ER manager and then head of ER or ER director. However, it is only bigger organisations that would accommodate this type of role.
Otherwise you could move back into a generalist HR manager role within a unionised company, where you would have a solid understanding of the issues and be able to oversee an ER officer or adviser.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
