In this episode Jonathan Rennie, partner at TLT is joined by Sarah Maddock, senior knowledge lawyer at TLT and Emma Erskine-Fox, managing associate in the Technology and Intellectual Property team at TLT to look at the impact of AI on employment law and discuss:  Key differences between various types of AI technologies. Why generative AI like ChatGPT is gaining increased attention. How AI tools be used to enhance workplace productivity. How employers can address the potential risks and challenges associated with AI in decision-making. How AI systems affect the fairness and reasonableness ..read more

In this episode, we’re joined by Bobbi Pickard, CEO of Trans in the City, to discuss how employers can improve their approach to trans and non-binary inclusion in the workplace. We explore questions like: Is the term LGBTQIA+ a help or a hindrance? What does trans and non-binary actually mean? Are gender-critical beliefs protected by law? Is the law fit for purpose, and how might it change in the future? What does best practice look like? We discuss the importance of vocalising a clear position on trans and non-binary inclusion and educating staff. We also discuss the benefits of creating a ..read more

50 years on from the Sex Discrimination Act, sexism is unfortunately still common at work. And yet studies repeatedly show that more diverse workplaces are more successful. In this episode, we discuss questions like: Do workplace policies sustain gender stereotypes? Has the pandemic successfully de-coupled gender from flexible working? Will the UK government reform gender pay gap reporting this year? Does a holiday really allow for “rest and relaxation” if the employee is suffering from menopause symptoms, menstrual pain or undergoing early-stage IVF treatment? We look at how gender equality ..read more

Can an employer really claim to have strong ESG credentials if they aren’t addressing societal issues like race equality and discrimination, and if they’re simply relying on policies and training? How can employers meet the changing expectations of regulators, investors, employees, job candidates and clients? The legal definition of race is much broader than many people realise. In this episode, Kanika Kitchlu-Connolly, co-chair of TLT’s BAME network, joins our employment team to discuss: Why this is so challenging but important for employers to get right The role of employee networks, from s ..read more

Returns to work are set to become even more challenging with the advent of hybrid and remote working, to the extent that the traditional toolkit may no longer be fit for purpose. In this episode, our employment and regulatory teams discuss five new challenges for HR and legal teams, and share their insights and advice surrounding: Occupational stress Supervision and performance management Personal injury Training and career development Long Covid There are some recurring themes, including: The risk that employers underestimate their legal obligations; The need to think about the individual ..read more

After Me Too and Black Lives Matter, there are growing signs that disability could be the next recipient of a major social media movement, not to mention new legal duties for employers. In the UK, the government has published a new National Disability Strategy including mandatory reporting for employers, the employment gap is impossible to ignore, and the Tokyo Paralympics sparked the campaign WeThe15 representing the world’s 1.2 billion people with a disability. But are employers ready for this? Disability varies wildly from other areas of equality law, and as PageGroup CEO and disability rig ..read more

Employee wellbeing has risen up the corporate agenda during the pandemic. However, this is set to become an even bigger issue in the coming months, as HR and legal teams navigate the impact of hybrid working, the right to work flexibly, the end of furlough, long Covid and more. How can employers address the stigma around mental health and wellbeing? What does proportionate support look like? And what new risks and challenges do they face?  In this episode, we discuss: The right to disconnect – what is it, how does it work, and could it work in the UK? With insights from Deirdre Lynch, pa ..read more

Should HR be more involved in the design and rollout of workplace technology? Will modern technology force us to replace roles (performed by people) with functions (performed by people, technology, robots and algorithms)? At what point do employees start to resent technology impinging on their jobs? When it can do 10%, 20% or 30% of their role faster and better than they can? These are just some of the questions we explore in this episode on workplace technology and its impact on employees. Jonathan Rennie and Sarah Maddock in our employment team are joined by Emma Erskine-Fox from our data pr ..read more

The pandemic has required many people to balance work with heightened childcaring responsibilities. For employers, this means considering the needs of working parents like never before – flexing policies, considering flexible working arrangements and other solutions and supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing. The challenges are many and varied, from changing working arrangements to managing performance issues. At the same time, the law recognises the need to be pragmatic and protect the interests of the business. This is a big topic, but in this episode, we seek to answer som ..read more

Employee monitoring isn’t just about using software to check that people are working hard enough. It can be digital, manual, well intended or even a regulatory requirement. But whether you’re monitoring devices, collecting data to make employment decisions or using CCTV (or even microchips), there’s a whole host of data protection and employment risks to consider. In this episode, we discuss: The growth of employee monitoring and why employers might use it The GDPR principles of transparency, necessity and proportionality Using employee records for positive discrimination The £32.1m fine agai ..read more