Howes Percival will be holding their popular National Employment Conference on Wednesday 5 June 2024.
This year the National Employment Conference will be held at Whittlebury Hall, near Towcester, Northamptonshire starting at 9.00am and ending at 4.00pm.
This annual event is aimed at HR professionals and directors, and gives delegates an opportunity not only to receive an update on recent developments in employment law, but also to attend workshops to explore key employment topics in more detail.
We are delighted to announce that this year's employment law update will be presented by Kate Balmer from Devereux Chambers. As always, our team of employment specialists will lead a choice of workshops which give delegates the opportunity to share experiences and interact within small groups.
We are really looking forward to meeting everyone again this year. The event will give delegates the opportunity to share experiences, network and get some time away from the office… or home!
Book a place
Please reserve your place by clicking this link here.
Please can each delegate confirm in their reservation: • a choice of one morning workshop and one afternoon workshop; and • any dietary requirements
Cost: £395 plus VAT per delegate. The price includes breakfast on arrival, lunch, tea/coffee and refreshments.
Offer: Book before Tuesday 30 April 2024 and receive one place free for every paid place booked (i.e. book 2 delegates for £395 plus VAT, book 4 delegates for £790 plus VAT).
If you have any problems with the booking process, please email: [javascript protected email address]
Welcome Introduction & Employment Law Update presented by Kate Balmer from Devereux Chambers
This year, we welcome back Kate Balmer from Devereux Chambers. Kate is a highly experienced employment law specialist, with particular expertise in discrimination, whistleblowing, high value pay disputes, trade union disputes, interim relief, artificial intelligence, employment status and employment tax issues.
Kate has been recommended as a leading employment lawyer in the directories since 2015. The Legal 500 2024 states: ‘Kate is exceptional and in a class of her own. Her ability to quickly take in and understand complex, detailed facts is outstanding. She is also robust, emotionally intelligent, articulate and extremely knowledgeable’.
11.15am
Workshops (see full details below)
“I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Shouldn’t Do That)” - Harassment and employer obligations
“I’m Still Standing” - Protecting your business (from your employees!)
"Wherever I lay my hat, that’s my home" - Is the future hybrid?
1.00pm
Lunch
2.00pm
Workshops (see full details below)
"Just give me a reason" - When can you rely on some other substantial reason to dismiss?
“Now I’ve got a witness” - Giving Evidence in an Employment Tribunal
“Do you come from a land down under?” - Immigration, pre-employment checks and handling of dismissals
4.00pm
Finish
Workshop information
MORNING SESSIONS (please choose 1)
Session 1: “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Shouldn’t Do That)” - Harassment and employer obligations
Are you confident you know where office ‘banter’ ends and harassment begins? Can you identify the line between friendliness and over familiarity? When are you liable for the actions of your employees? Join us for a discussion on the developing law of harassment. This is your opportunity to share best practice and take away key tips to identify and prevent allegations of harassment in your business. As part of the session, we will discuss the upcoming obligations on employers in preventing sexual harassment, due to take effect from October 2024.
Session 2: “I’m Still Standing” - Protecting your business (from your employees!)
Bringing new employees on-board is often an exciting time for both the employer and the new recruit. This is generally a positive experience, as both parties are (normally) optimistic that it will all work out perfectly! However, employers still need to be mindful of safeguarding themselves – and their valuable culture, reputation, assets and intellectual property – at the outset, just in case something goes wrong! Joinus for this discussion group. This session will give delegates the opportunity to share their views and practices in relation to how they protect their business. We will also be providing key 'tips and tricks' on how best to protect your business from your employees, including the importance of:
• The recruitment process and pre-employment checks; • Drafting effective contracts of employment; • Managing probationary periods and notice periods; • Dealing with company property; • Protecting confidential information and intellectual property; and • Implementing restrictive covenants.
Session 3: "Wherever I lay my hat, that’s my home" - Is the future hybrid?
Join us as we discuss flexible working and the challenges faced by remote, hybrid and on site working. In this session:
• We will update you on the latest changes to the law on flexible working; • Explore some of the benefits and pitfalls of flexible, remote and hybrid working; • Consider the potential challenges and pitfalls you may face in navigating flexible working requests or in requiring staff to return to on site working or to a hybrid working model; and • Discuss how a move to site based or hybrid working can be achieved.
AFTERNOON SESSIONS (please choose 1)
Session 1: "Just give me a reason" - When can you rely on some other substantial reason to dismiss?
There are many situations where a dismissal does not fall into one of the common reasons to dismiss such as performance, capability, redundancy and conduct. In such cases, employers often try to rely on “some other substantial reason” when dismissing employees. In this interactive session, we will explore different SOSR scenarios and how to ensure you follow a fair procedure before dismissing, including:
• Third party pressure to dismiss • Persistent short term absences • Breakdown in working relationships • Changing terms and conditions • Business re-organisation • Protecting an employer’s reputation
Session 2: “Now I’ve got a witness” - Giving Evidence in an Employment Tribunal
This session will explore:
• What it means to be a witness in an Employment Tribunal • The tribunal process – what is involved in giving evidence • How to prepare as a witness • What makes a good or bad witness • What should your witness statement cover? • The importance of evidence capture • Ensuring your witness evidence is credible
By attending this session, we hope to build your understanding around the importance of witnesses and how a witness can be pivotal to the success or failure of your defence in an Employment Tribunal claim.
Session 3: “Do you come from a land down under?” - Immigration, pre-employment checks and handling of dismissals
It is vital for employers to follow the correct procedures in order to ensure all employees have the right to work in the UK. In this respect, dealing with right to work and pre-employment checks can be a daunting and unfamiliar prospect for many employers. This workshop session will provide a step-by-step guide on how to understand best practice and share practical tips on how to ensure these checks are done, to include:
• A clear understanding of what these checks are and what they would entail; • How to ensure compliance is met within your organisation; • How to maintain evidence throughout an employee’s employment; • Due diligence and review of information on a purchase or TUPE transfer; and • How to exit workers who might be or have become non-compliant.
Delegates will be given case studies to work through, which will enable them to understand best practice and provide practical tips to ensure a smooth redundancy process.
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