Specialist – Employee Relations at South African Airways Technical (SAAT)

Job Purpose    

• The Specialist, Employee Relations, is responsible for assisting the Company in utilizing best practices when addressing employee relations issues, and for identifying and working to correct issues affecting the workplace and provide support during workplace investigations, grievance and disciplinary procedures. Develop and deliver various trainings to increase the supervisory competency and employee engagement. The Specialist will additionally interpret and provide guidance to the Company and its employees in terms of the LRA, BCEA, SDA, EEA, Code of good practices, SAAT employment policies and procedures including Collective agreements.  

Principal Accountabilities    
To manage all disciplinary and grievance hearings including all labour related disputes in order to ensure effective dispute resolution:

• Monitor and ensure speedy resolution of grievance and disciplinary hearings, workplace investigations and suspensions;
• Represent the company at the CCMA in conciliations and arbitrations and/or any other relevant forum that deals with labour related disputes;
• Brief/instruct attorneys in respect of CCMA or Labour Court processes on behalf of the company, as required;
• Resolve all labour disputes at the lowest possible level;
• Research and monitor legislation and case law in the field of labour relations; and
• Assist in the resolution of interest disputes as well as give direction and support during strikes.

To provide an advisory service to manager in order to coach and guide them in

• ER matters
• Assist managers in compiling charges for and Disciplinary Hearings;
• Coach and guide Line Managers to present Disciplinary hearings, Grievances and Disputes;
• Identify needs of managers, i.e. training needs, knowledge of collective agreements and bargaining agreements; and
• Provide training on basic Labour Law, Co Policies and Procedures in line with best practice;
• Consult and advise HR business partners on all ER issues e.g. disciplinary, grievance, incapacity and operational requirements processes;
• Create awareness and educate line management and other stakeholders in the application of policies and procedures in line with business objectives and on relevant labour legislation; and
• Facilitate/assist with conflict resolution.

To assist the employee relations manager with regards to administration for the ER department in order to ensure orderly collective bargaining, accurate and efficient arrangements and recordkeeping are maintained

• Compile reports and update case records in conjunction with the ER Administrator;
• Ensure collective bargaining and/or consultation with unions on behalf of the company;
• Assist in the preparation for labour and management consultation meetings and collective bargaining;
• Attend and/or facilitate in meetings between line management and labour;
• Develop and align HR policies and procedures to support the HR plan;
• Monitor compliance with labour legislation and align employment policies, practices and procedures with legislation;
• Ensure sound labour relations between the company and trade unions; and
• Draft collective agreements.

To keep abreast of all relevant legislation and regulations in order to maintain a current working knowledge

• Keep abreast of Labour legislation, best employment Practices e.g. Policies and Procedures;
• Identify ER Training needs and trends for HR and line management and develop and present training programs;
• Update all relevant Policies and Procedures in the Company and do research on employment and case law;
• Advise and keep management abreast of all Labour Legislation updates as well best employment practises;
• Adhere to all Collective Bargaining Council agreements, and all policies and legislation;
• Research legislation or practice as needed to support negotiations and cases, especially previous case precedents; and
• Monitor adherence to policy and legislation and escalate problems.

Risk detention mitigation:

• Apply employee and labour relations expertise to successfully identify trends and challenges, predict and mitigate risk, and develop and execute solution-focused strategies and programs.

To measure and monitor the ER needs within SAAT in order to offer support where required

• Identify ER training needs for Line and HR Management and identify relevant training programs to meet the needs;
• Align and monitor Employment Equity Plans;
• Monitor support and guide Team Leaders and Managers during Picketing and strike actions;
• Monitor all Union representative appointments to ensure that a free and fair process has taken place;
• Train line managers on labour relations legislations, policies and procedures; Give advice and professional guidance and liaise with all levels of management, employees and unions; and ensure the Company complies with all relevant labour laws.

Qualifications & Experience    

• Diploma or Degree in Labour Law/Industrial Relations/Labour Relations or equivalent - Essential
• LLB or Labour Dispute Resolution Practice - Advantageous
• Drivers Licence with own vehicle - Essential
• Employee Relations experience -  5+ years - Essential
• Understanding of CCMA case management - 3+ years - Essential
• Understanding of Human Resources -  3+  years  Essential
• ER Experience in aviation industry -  2+ years - Advantageous

Knowledge and Skills    

• Knowledge of labour/employment legislation acts - advanced
• Human resources policies, practice and procedures - advanced
• Employment Equity Strategy Development - advanced
• Labour Relations Act - advanced
• Basic Conditions of Employment Act - advanced
• Health and Safety Act - advanced
• Skills Development Act - advanced
• CCMA rules of conduct - advanced
• Employment  equity act and related regulations - advanced
• BBBEE regulations and related information - intermediate
• Constitution - advanced
• Negotiation skills - advanced
• Conflict management - advanced
• Planning and organising - advanced
• Interpersonal skills - advanced
• Dispute resolution - advanced
• Facilitation and Training Skills - advanced
• Technical skills - advanced
• Report writing - advanced
• Research skills - advanced

Attributes    

• Analytical Thinking
• Conceptual Thinking
• Information Seeking
• Achievement Orientation
• Initiative
• Organisational Awareness
• Impact and Influence
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Customer Service Orientation
• Integrity
• Ethical
• Research
• Emotionally Intelligent
• Reporting
• Brand image of SAAT
• Adhere to SAAT Policies and Procedures
• Stakeholder Relationships
• Flexibility and Adaptability
• Drives Results
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality