The Brightmine Podcast (UK)

With unfair dismissal protection kicking in after just six months from January 2027, probation is about to matter more than ever.   Organisations are already reviewing, and often shortening, their probationary processes in response to the Employment Rights Act 2025. Deborah Kent, HR manager at the Money Advice Trust, joins the podcast to explore how success profiles can strengthen onboarding and initial training.   Listen now to find out how to set new starters up for success from day one. Resources Probationary periods - line manager training Unfair dismissal reforms: Rethinking probationary periods Webinar: Unfair dismissal changes - are your probationary processes ready? Read the transcript

Burnout is a growing workplace challenge, driven by economic uncertainty, rapid change and the impact of AI. In this episode, Nicola Turner, founder of BodyMindBrain, explores why tackling the body's stress response, through regulation and recovery, may be the missing piece in preventing burnout and sustaining performance. Resources From wellbeing washing to proactive prevention: How HR can tackle the burnout crisis Championing a stress-free workplace: Understanding the causes of stress Podcast: The AI challenge - adjust your performance expectations and measurements now! Wellbeing research 2026

India's employment law framework is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation. As four new Labour Codes reshape everything from wages and contract labour to leave and workplace grievances, employers are facing a host of new challenges and opportunities.  Robert Shore speaks to Trilegal partner Swarnima about the reforms, the rise in workplace complaints, and why UK HR professionals should be paying close attention. Read the transcript Resources India International guide Employment Rights Act 2025 Hub Webinar: Employment Rights Act 2025 - October harassment law changes

There have been many significant legislative shifts in relation to flexible working in recent years, of course, and under the Employment Rights Act 2025 we are promised further changes. Charlotte Wiseman joins the podcast to look at the way flexible working is transforming employee expectations and workplace culture, and to offer some ideas about what best practice looks like in this new era. Resources The future of flexible working starts with HR Employment Rights Act 2025 Hub Flexible working: What strategy employers can adopt How to lead HR planning for the Employment Rights Act 2025

Brightmine legal editor Lilia Dangi joins the podcast to talk through recent and upcoming trade union-related reforms under the Employment Rights Act 2025. She discusses how these changes are modernising industrial relations and rebalancing the relationship between employers and unions, and looks in particular at: the new duty to inform workers of their right to join a union; unions' right of access to the workplace; and the role of the Fair Work Agency. Tune in to hear what employers need to know, and how these reforms could reshape the future of industrial relations. Related resources Employment Rights Act 2025 hub Employment Rights Act 2025 trade union law changes - your questions answered The ERA era - takeaways from our trade union reforms roundtable How to lead HR planning for the Employment Rights Act 2025 Webinar: Employment Rights Act 2025 - a user's guide