The Employment Law & HR Podcast

In this episode 269 of the podcast, I bring you a summary of the key changes taking place with employment law from the 30th October 2026 to January 2027. These are key changes that present a high risk to employers if you do not take action now. In this episode, we cover: The introduction of a new liability for third party harassment of your employees The strengthening of the requirement for employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harasssment The widening of access to workplaces for Trade Unions The new processes for employers to follow with Trade Union access requests The introduction of stronger rights and protections for seafarers The reduction in the qualifying service for an employee to claim unfair dismissal The requirement to notify all workers of their right to join a trade union Why it is important to take action     Key takeaways: Actions to take now: Assess the risk of third party harassment of your workers Take action to mitigate those risks identified Review and improve upon your sexual harassment prevention measures Train managers Review your probation periods and process for probation procedures Ensure key personnel understand the new rules for Trade Union recognition and workplace access     Links to other shows & resources you may find helpful Third Party Harassment DIY Toolkit – coming soon! Third Party Harassment Podcast Sexual Harassment Prevention Podcast Sexual Harassment DIY Toolkit Managing Probation Periods Podcast If you would like a no obligation quote or call to discuss please do not hesitate to contact us on 01983 897003 or by email to [email protected]     Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to stay informed on the latest in UK employment law. If you have questions or need tailored advice, feel free to get in touch – we are here to help.       Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email [email protected]   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £234 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – [email protected] or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don't forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006   We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw   The information contained in this Podcast and post is provided for guidance and is a snapshot of the law at the time. It is provided for your information only and should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice that it specific to your particular circumstances. The guidance should not be relied upon in any decision making process. It is strongly recommended that you seek advice before taking action.

How to use AI effectively for an Employment case In this episode 268 of the podcast, I look at the recent Employment Appeal Tribunal decision in Hancox v Sutherland and Others [2026] EAT 139, in which a judge raised important concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in Employment Tribunal proceedings. The case involved an employee who submitted a 300-page skeleton argument prepared using ChatGPT, prompting the judge to comment on the growing use of AI by individuals representing themselves. I discuss what the judge said about the benefits and risks of AI, why lengthy AI-generated legal arguments can do more harm than good, and the importance of checking the accuracy of anything submitted to a Tribunal. I also consider what this decision means for employees, employers and HR professionals, and why AI can be a useful tool but should not replace sound legal advice and judgment. In this episode, we cover: The background to the Hancox case and the 300-page ChatGPT-generated argument. The judge's comments about AI and access to justice. The risks of inaccurate legal arguments and invented case law. The responsibilities of individuals using AI in Tribunal proceedings. Practical lessons for employers and employees dealing with AI-generated grievances and claims. Other Employment Tribunal cases that have referenced AI use. Rollo v Marstons Trading Ltd X v Secretary of State for Justice You can read the full judgment here: Hancox v Sutherland and Others [2026] EAT 139.   Key takeaways: Three minimum requirements for anyone submitting AI-assisted documents: The document must comply with the applicable Tribunal rules. The person must check its factual, evidential and legal accuracy as thoroughly as they reasonably can. The document must focus on relevant arguments, be understandable and avoid unnecessary repetition.       If you would like a no obligation quote or call to discuss please do not hesitate to contact us on 01983 897003 or by email to [email protected]     Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to stay informed on the latest in UK employment law. If you have questions or need tailored advice, feel free to get in touch – we are here to help.   Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email [email protected]   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £234 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – [email protected] or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don't forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006   We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw   The information contained in this Podcast and post is provided for guidance and is a snapshot of the law at the time. It is provided for your information only and should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice that it specific to your particular circumstances. The guidance should not be relied upon in any decision making process. It is strongly recommended that you seek advice before taking action.

From the 30th October 2026 employers will be liable for the actions of strangers! In this episode 267 of the podcast I am covering a key change to the law which takes effect from the 30th October 2026 and one that many employers could find themselves falling foul of! Put simply all employers run the risk of liability for and a claim for third party harassment if they fail to take action.   In this episode of the podcast I cover: What is changing and why it is important. The risks for employers of inaction What the Employment Tribunal will look at Why it will be almost impossible to defend if you have not taken all reasonable steps What all reasonable steps looks like Why your managers present the biggest risk What action you need to take NOW   Key takeaways: All employers must take action now to assess the risks to their staff and then take action to mitigate those risks.   We have developed the following documents for you which will be available to purchase in our DIY section shortly: Third-Party Harassment Risk Assessment Third-Party Harassment Action Plan Third-Party Harassment Prevention Policy Third-Party Standards of Behaviour Notice Employee Communication Notice Incident Reporting Form Manager Incident Response Flowchart Manager Investigation & Response Guidance Training Record Annual Compliance Review Checklist & Timetable   We can also assist you in preparing the documents and communicating to staff, as well as providing training for managers and employees. If you would like a no obligation quote or call to discuss please do not hesitate to contact us on 01983 897003 or by email to [email protected] As a member of our HR Harbour Membership service we can help you to comply with the new law. You can find more information about the service here: HR Harbour       Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to stay informed on the latest in UK employment law. If you have questions or need tailored advice, feel free to get in touch – we are here to help.       Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email [email protected]   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £234 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – [email protected] or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don't forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006   We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw   The information contained in this Podcast and post is provided for guidance and is a snapshot of the law at the time. It is provided for your information only and should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice that it specific to your particular circumstances. The guidance should not be relied upon in any decision making process. It is strongly recommended that you seek advice before taking action.

In this episode 266 of the podcast I am covering a topic that has been much discussed among the Real Employment Law Advice team and which is causing increased stress and time for employers and managers, the use of AI by disgruntled employees. We are seeing a significant increase in AI being used by employees to draft grievances, prepare complaints, challenge decisions and fuel their desire to pursue Employment Tribunal claims.   In this episode of the podcast I cover: Trends we are seeing on a practical level Implications for employers The challenges of seeking to resolve disputes when employees have inaccurate AI 'advice' How AI is changing employee expectations What employers and managers can do to mitigate the risk of disputes arising What employers and managers can do to limit situations escalating when issues do arise Why taking proactive steps to be a good employer is your best defence   Key takeaways: AI is here to stay and more and more employees will access 'advice' from their AI assistant in future and it is those employers who take the time to invest in good robust processes and procedures and truly look after their employees who will find that the time investment now will pay dividends later on. As a member of our HR Harbour Membership service we can help you to be the best employer you can and truly mitigate the risk of spurious and time consuming AI driven disputes. You can find more information about the service here: HR Harbour   Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to stay informed on the latest in UK employment law. If you have questions or need tailored advice, feel free to get in touch – we are here to help.   Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email [email protected]   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £234 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – [email protected] or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don't forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006   We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw   The information contained in this Podcast and post is provided for guidance and is a snapshot of the law at the time. It is provided for your information only and should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice that it specific to your particular circumstances. The guidance should not be relied upon in any decision making process. It is strongly recommended that you seek advice before taking action.

Employment Tribunal awards compensation for an employers failure to make adjustments in the probation period In this episode 265 of the podcast I am covering a recent case decided by the Employment Tribunal where an employee was awarded compensation after the employer failed to make reasonable adjustments in the probation period. The case of Ms  Khorram v Capgemini emphasises the importance of effectively managing probation periods and the requirement to make reasonable adjustments for employees with neurodivergent conditions.   In this episode of the podcast I cover: When you need to consider reasonable adjustments What reasonable adjustments to consider for an employee with ADHD Why probation periods matter When to obtain medical support and/or an occupational health assessment Why compensation for Ms Khorram was limited by the Tribunal   Key takeaways: Employers need to ensure managers are trained and aware of the importance of following occupational health advice and making reasonable adjustments for an employee who is placed at a disadvantage at work due to their disability. You need to have good probation processes and regular communctaion in place.   You can read the full Judgement from the main Hearing and the Judgement from the remedy hearing here: https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunal-decisions/ms-b-khorram-v-capgemini-uk-plc-6004705-slash-2024   Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to stay informed on the latest in UK employment law. If you have questions or need tailored advice, feel free to get in touch – we are here to help.   How To Effectively Manage Probation Periods: Training for Managers Online training Monday 15th June 2026 at 10:30am (90 minutes) £75.96 per person Book now here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988753783101?aff=oddtdtcreator     Still not sure about the Employment Rights Act and what you need to do? Why not attend our Free Webinar for Employers on Monday 18th May at 10:30am Register to attend here: https://tinyurl.com/bddck4ut     Training for your Team Would you like to arrange training for your team to reduce the risk of both unhappy employees and claims being made against you? Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion, we can offer training anywhere in the UK in person or delivered remotely via MS Teams. Please drop me an email [email protected]   Fixed Price Advice from Real Experts As part of our HR Harbour annual subscription service for employers we provide guidance and training for employers, supervisors and managers. If you would like to know more about the HR Harbour Service and how you can get unlimited support from as little as £234 per month please contact me for a no obligation discussion – [email protected] or you can find full details here: HR Harbour Don't forget you can contact us by telephone 01983 897003, 01722 653001, 020 3470 0007, 0191 375 9694 or 023 8098 2006   We have a variety of free documents and letters which are available to download here: DIY Documents We are also on YouTube! You can find a range of topics and also listen to this podcast on YouTube here: YOUTUBE   Zoes Law Raising awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/zoepanayilaw   The information contained in this Podcast and post is provided for guidance and is a snapshot of the law at the time. It is provided for your information only and should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice that it specific to your particular circumstances. The guidance should not be relied upon in any decision making process. It is strongly recommended that you seek advice before taking action.