Assistant HR Advisor

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Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Assistant HR Advisor

The closing date is 09 September 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

To provide a high-quality, responsive HR advisory service to managers and staff across the organisation. The postholder will support the management of employee relations casework, attendance management processes, recruitment activities and workforce initiatives, providing advice on routine and non-complex HR matters in accordance with employment legislation, NHS terms and conditions, organisational policies and best practice.

NHS employees should obtain their manager's approval for a secondment before applying, as this will be a condition of any offer made. Although the post is currently advertised as a fixed term/secondment position, there is a possibility that it could become permanent in the future without the need for re-advertisement.

Please be advised this post is not eligible for sponsorship.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

The Assistant HR Advisor will manage a caseload of low-risk employee relations matters and provide administrative and advisory support for more complex workforce issues under the guidance of HR Advisors and Senior HR colleagues.

The postholder will act as a key point of contact for managers, offering first-line advice and support while developing knowledge and skills across the full range of HR advisory functions.

About us

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proud to provide high-quality acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, our staff are central to everything we do -- we believe that happy staff make for happy patients, and this ethos underpins our culture and our success.

We have a strong, recognised track record in staff engagement and in living our values:

• People at the Heart

• Listen and Involve

• Kind and Respectful

• ONE Team

We are committed to placing patients at the heart of every decision and delivering safe, effective care that protects dignity and enhances experience. We seek to recruit people who share our values, our passion for high-quality care, and our belief in working together as One Team.

At WWL, we recognise the strength that comes from a rich and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all sections of society and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Details

Date posted

02 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

302-26-8257757CPR

Job locations

Buckingham Row, Brick Kiln Lane, Wigan, WN1 1XX

Human Resources Department

Wigan

WN1 1XX

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Employee Relations Support

Provide first-line HR advice to managers and employees on routine employee relations matters.

Manage a caseload of straightforward cases including:

• Sickness absence management.
• Flexible working requests.
• Minor conduct and capability concerns.
• Attendance management processes.
• Support HR Advisors with disciplinary, grievance, capability and dignity at work cases.
• Review case documentation to ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Assist managers in preparing for formal meetings and hearings.
• Attend formal meetings to provide procedural advice and note-taking support where required.
• Draft correspondence, outcome letters and meeting documentation for review by HR Manager.
• Ensure all case records are maintained accurately and confidentially.

HR Advisory Service

• Respond to general HR queries from managers and employees.
• Interpret and explain HR policies, procedures and terms and conditions of employment.
• Provide advice on workforce policies and employment processes within defined parameters.
• Signpost complex, high-risk or contentious issues to HR Advisors or HR Manager.
• Promote consistent application of HR policies across the organisation

Supporting Attendance and Wellbeing

• Support managers with sickness absence monitoring and management processes.
• Assist in the preparation of management information relating to absence trends and workforce metrics.
• Provide advice on organisational wellbeing initiatives and relevant policies.
• Support referrals and processes associated with occupational health recommendations.

Training and Development

• Support delivery of HR briefings, workshops and manager training sessions.
• Assist in the development of guidance notes and management resources.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the HR Advisory Team.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation and NHS workforce developments.

Service Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and customer experience.
• Contribute to HR projects and workforce initiatives as required.
• Participate in team meetings and service development activities.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development

• Contribute suggestions for improving HR processes and procedures.
• Support implementation of new workforce policies and guidance.
• Provide feedback to senior colleagues regarding operational issues impacting service delivery.

Communications and Relationships

The postholder will establish and maintain effective working relationships with:

• Managers and supervisors.
• Employees.
• Trade Union representatives.
• HR colleagues.
• Occupational Health services.
• Recruitment teams.
• Payroll services.
• External agencies where appropriate.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Employee Relations Support

Provide first-line HR advice to managers and employees on routine employee relations matters.

Manage a caseload of straightforward cases including:

• Sickness absence management.
• Flexible working requests.
• Minor conduct and capability concerns.
• Attendance management processes.
• Support HR Advisors with disciplinary, grievance, capability and dignity at work cases.
• Review case documentation to ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Assist managers in preparing for formal meetings and hearings.
• Attend formal meetings to provide procedural advice and note-taking support where required.
• Draft correspondence, outcome letters and meeting documentation for review by HR Manager.
• Ensure all case records are maintained accurately and confidentially.

HR Advisory Service

• Respond to general HR queries from managers and employees.
• Interpret and explain HR policies, procedures and terms and conditions of employment.
• Provide advice on workforce policies and employment processes within defined parameters.
• Signpost complex, high-risk or contentious issues to HR Advisors or HR Manager.
• Promote consistent application of HR policies across the organisation

Supporting Attendance and Wellbeing

• Support managers with sickness absence monitoring and management processes.
• Assist in the preparation of management information relating to absence trends and workforce metrics.
• Provide advice on organisational wellbeing initiatives and relevant policies.
• Support referrals and processes associated with occupational health recommendations.

Training and Development

• Support delivery of HR briefings, workshops and manager training sessions.
• Assist in the development of guidance notes and management resources.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the HR Advisory Team.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation and NHS workforce developments.

Service Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and customer experience.
• Contribute to HR projects and workforce initiatives as required.
• Participate in team meetings and service development activities.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development

• Contribute suggestions for improving HR processes and procedures.
• Support implementation of new workforce policies and guidance.
• Provide feedback to senior colleagues regarding operational issues impacting service delivery.

Communications and Relationships

The postholder will establish and maintain effective working relationships with:

• Managers and supervisors.
• Employees.
• Trade Union representatives.
• HR colleagues.
• Occupational Health services.
• Recruitment teams.
• Payroll services.
• External agencies where appropriate.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE in mathematics and English (Grades A-C) or equivalent or NVQ 3 standard in relevant subject

Desirable

• Sound knowledge of employment law and employee relations procedures
• Attainment of, or working towards relevant qualifications e.g. CIPD or equivalent HR experience

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within an HR or people management environment.
• Experience of providing advice to managers or staff.
• Experience of handling confidential information.
• Experience of administrative case management and record keeping.
• Experience of working to deadlines and managing competing priorities.

Desirable

• NHS HR experience.
• Experience supporting attendance management.
• Experience supporting employee relations casework.
• Experience of workforce information systems (e.g. ESR).

Skills

Essential

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Good organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to analyse information and identify key issues.
• Proficient IT skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Desirable

• Report Writing Skills

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of HR principles and practices.
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Awareness of sickness absence management processes.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion principles.

Additional

Essential

• Professional and approachable manner. Commitment to continuous learning and development.
• Resilient and able to work under pressure.
• Demonstrates integrity and sound judgement.
• Commitment to NHS values and behaviours.
• Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE in mathematics and English (Grades A-C) or equivalent or NVQ 3 standard in relevant subject

Desirable

• Sound knowledge of employment law and employee relations procedures
• Attainment of, or working towards relevant qualifications e.g. CIPD or equivalent HR experience

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within an HR or people management environment.
• Experience of providing advice to managers or staff.
• Experience of handling confidential information.
• Experience of administrative case management and record keeping.
• Experience of working to deadlines and managing competing priorities.

Desirable

• NHS HR experience.
• Experience supporting attendance management.
• Experience supporting employee relations casework.
• Experience of workforce information systems (e.g. ESR).

Skills

Essential

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Good organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to analyse information and identify key issues.
• Proficient IT skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Desirable

• Report Writing Skills

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of HR principles and practices.
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Awareness of sickness absence management processes.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion principles.

Additional

Essential

• Professional and approachable manner. Commitment to continuous learning and development.
• Resilient and able to work under pressure.
• Demonstrates integrity and sound judgement.
• Commitment to NHS values and behaviours.
• Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Buckingham Row, Brick Kiln Lane, Wigan, WN1 1XX

Human Resources Department

Wigan

WN1 1XX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Buckingham Row, Brick Kiln Lane, Wigan, WN1 1XX

Human Resources Department

Wigan

WN1 1XX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

HR Manager

Marie Cameron

[email protected]

07375111640

Details

Date posted

02 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

302-26-8257757CPR

Job locations

Buckingham Row, Brick Kiln Lane, Wigan, WN1 1XX

Human Resources Department

Wigan

WN1 1XX

United Kingdom

Supporting documents

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