Employee Relations Specialist – Cape Town

We are looking for an experienced, Employee Relations Specialist to join our Human Resources team and provide expert employee relations support across the business.

This role will support the delivery of fair, consistent and legally compliant employee relations practices, while empowering leaders to manage workplace matters effectively and in line with company policies, values and applicable labour legislation.

This position is based in Cape Town and may require travel to stores, sites or business units within Cape Town and surrounding areas. Our ideal candidate will be able to thrive in high-pressure and deadline-driven situations, demonstrate sound judgement, maintain confidentiality and communicate confidently with stakeholders at all levels.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Provide specialist employee relations advice and guidance to managers, HR partners and business stakeholders on disciplinary, grievance, incapacity, performance and workplace conflict matters.
• Ensure employee relations processes are managed fairly, consistently and in line with applicable labour legislation, company policies and procedures.
• Support and guide managers through investigations, disciplinary enquiries, grievance meetings, incapacity processes and related employee relations interventions.
• Prepare and review employee relations documentation, including notices, investigation reports, outcome letters, settlement records and case summaries.
• Represent or support the company in external dispute-resolution processes, including CCMA or bargaining council referrals, conciliations and arbitrations where required.
• Maintain accurate case records, track employee relations trends and provide meaningful insights to support risk mitigation and proactive interventions.
• Build capability by coaching managers on effective people management, conflict resolution, policy application and procedural fairness.
• Partner with the HR team to review, improve and embed employee relations policies, processes and training material.
• Create employee relations learning material and train business stakeholders on key employee relations issues, including policy application, procedural fairness and risk mitigation.
• Write, review and update company policies to ensure alignment with applicable labour legislation, regulatory requirements and best-practice employee relations standards.
• Engage with trade unions and union representatives on employee relations matters, including consultation processes, dispute resolution and collective issues where applicable.
• Promote a positive employee relations climate by supporting fair treatment, open communication and alignment to company values.
• Execute and deliver on ad hoc employee relations projects, interventions and duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience Required

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Human Resource Management, Industrial Psychology, Labour Relations, Law or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years’ proven experience in an employee relations, labour relations or similar HR specialist role.
• Sound working knowledge of South African labour legislation, including the Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Sectoral Determination 9, Employment Equity Act and related codes of good practice.
• Experience managing disciplinary, grievance, incapacity and dispute-resolution processes is required.
• Experience representing or supporting matters at the CCMA or bargaining council will be advantageous.
• Preference will be given to candidates with employee relations experience within a Retail environment.
• A valid driver’s licence and own reliable transport are required.
• Practical knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook is required.
• Working experience with HR information systems and case management or reporting tools will be advantageous.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of employee relations principles, procedural fairness and labour legislation.
• Excellent judgement, confidentiality and professional integrity.
• Ability to engage confidently with managers, employees and external stakeholders.
• Strong investigation, analysis and report-writing skills.
• Conflict-management, negotiation and problem-solving capability.
• Client-centric, service-oriented and able to work in close partnership with business stakeholders.
• Logical, analytical and critical thinking.
• Planning, organising and follow-through.
• Resilience and the ability to manage sensitive matters under pressure.
• High attention to detail and a strong sense of accountability.

Please note: The Cape Union Mart Group is committed to transformation. Appointments and promotions will be made based on candidates who best meet the requirements for the position. Candidates that enhance the diversity of the team will be given preference, in line with our Employment Equity plan.