Workplace Relations Consultant

Company Description
**McDonald’s **Australia is the largest quick service restaurant operation in the country. Fondly known as “Maccas”, we are famous in the global McDonald’s world for adding beetroot to our Aussie burgers and creating the world’s first McCafé in Melbourne. A household name in Australia for 50 years now, we believe that our customers are the heart and soul of everything we do and make it our mission to make every moment count

**Job Description**:
**What is the purpose of this role?**

We are open to both Part-time and remote working for this role.

**What will my key accountabilities be?**

**Employee / Industrial Relations**
- Provide expert advice in the areas of ER and IR to restaurant owners, employees, Managers and stakeholders
- Lead the development and refinement of policies and procedures in relation to McDonald’s restaurant-facing employment obligations; develop and lead training and facilitation to ensure policy adoption and legal compliance by McDonald’s.
- Ensure that our employee relations program provides fair and consistent treatment to all employees so they will be engaged and happy working for McDonald’s and enjoy their employment experience with us.
- Stay current with Australian legal and policy updates that may affect McDonald’s and make recommendations to the business for suggested internal changes as required.
- Provide management and direction to the Employee Relations Advisors to ensure that all users of the national Employee Relations Hotline receive timely, accurate and relevant advice and support; always aiming to achieve our goal of being Australia’s most respected employer.
- Support the Workplace Relations team in the continued improvement of restaurant people practices, improving the supporting technology and policy infrastructure to ensure that McDonald’s remains a best-practice employer that complies with the letter and spirit of the law.
- Work with the broader team to manage relationships between McDonald’s and our Licensees as employers, and our respective employees - by providing current information, ensuring compliance with legal and pay standards, and where required, managing conflict.
- Monitor the volume, type and resolution of contacts to the Employee Relations Hotline to ensure that matters are resolved properly and in a timely manner. Using contact data to identify trends or issues that may require escalation or action.
- Work closely with the Head of Workplace Relations on identifying and actioning opportunities to continuously improve McDonald’s people practices and supporting technology and systems, to ensure McDonald’s maintains our position as a best-in-class employer.
- Work with McDonald’s People & Culture Team, Legal Team and Operations Teams to develop and share best practices across national operations and with our Licensees. Play a role in educating and supporting Operations and Licensees with people brand risk issues.
- Liaise with the relevant union/employee association on any employment issues that may arise.
- Develop and socialise any policies or procedures required at restaurant level, in relation to all aspects of employment.
- Work with National Training and regional People & Culture Managers to ensure proper training and adoption of relevant policies and procedures.
- Assist with the continuous improvement of our People Review framework, including participating in consultation and education with Licensees and operations personnel.

**Case Management / Investigations**
- In conjunction with the legal counsel, be responsible for case management of all employment related legal claims, including assisting McDonald’s Licensees in such claims, to achieve positive outcomes for the business.
- Where appropriate, briefing external legal counsel to lead defence of claims.
- Monitoring the volume and type of claims received by McDonald’s and identification of any trends or issues. In conjunction with National Training team, implement appropriate training or policy responses.
- Where required or as directed by McDonald’s legal counsel, conduct (or oversee the conduct of) investigations into employment-related allegations such as allegations of bullying, harassment, discrimination, people practices breaches and other employment-related matters.
- Conduct all investigations in accordance with McDonald’s guidelines, ensuring a thorough and methodical approach that maintains confidentiality and ensures impartiality.
- Work closely with McDonald’s legal counsel, and sometimes external lawyers, on investigations and any actions required following the outcome of an investigation.
- Provide training and support to others within the business who may need to be involved in or conduct investigations, including ensuring that the Employee Relations Advisors have the relevant skills and ability to conduct minor investigations.

**Training and Facilitation**
- Facilitate any employee relations related content a