Show Notes
In this episode 235 of the podcast I bring you all the detail about a recent case decided by the Employment Appeal Tribunal, Hunter V Carnival plc in which the Appeal Tribunal considered the protection provided by regulation 10 of the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999. In this episode we cover: The protection provided to women on maternity leave by regulation 10 of the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999. The analysis of a suitable alternative vacancy in the context of maternity leave protection when a redundancy situation arises. What employers have to consider if they are making redundancies when an employee is on maternity leave or another period of family leave. What the difference is between reducing numbers of staff in a role and creating new reduced number roles. You can read the full judgment here: Hunter v Carnival plc
Sexual Harassment Training Requirements: Prevention Obligation Webinar Training for Managers 20th November at 10am 90-minute training webinar to ensure they understand what sexual harassment is, how to prevent sexual harassment and reporting and investigation obligations and processes. Each webinar is 90 Minutes, and the cost is £81.96 per person. To book please head to Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sexual-harassment-prevention-training-for-managers-tickets-1059654728819?aff=oddtdtcreator
Marie Fall, Chief People and Culture Officer from Axel Arigato had this to say about the training provided: "We recently participated in a workshop led by Alison Colley on sexual harassment prevention, and it exceeded our expectations in every way. Alison brought an engaging and structured approach, delivering critical insights with clarity and depth. The session was interactive, making the complex topic accessible and relatable for all our leaders. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting both the quality of the content and Alison's expert facilitation. We left feeling equipped and motivated to foster a safe, respectful workplace culture. Thank you, Alison, for an impactful session!"
DIY Training for Employees – £18 per person (inclusive of VAT) We have also created a training programme for all employees so that they understand what Sexual Harassment is, how to report and what they should be doing to help prevent sexual harassment. The training can be completed as required and will take approximately 75 minutes to complete. For more information or to access the course please go to: We are also offering a discount for bulk orders to please contact me by mail [email protected] for more information. Certificates will be provided for all attendees as proof of training.
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 £210 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/zoepanay
More from The Employment Law & HR Podcast
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.
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 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.
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.
This is going to be critical for all new employees from the 1st July 2026 In this episode 264 of the podcast I am covering the critical change to how managers and employers deal with probation periods for any new starters from the 1st July 2026. The qualifying period for unfair dismissal is going to be the shortest period it has ever been from the 1st January 2027 and this means employers need to prepare and manage probation periods and the first few months of a new employees employment carefully and proactively. Managers need to be educated on this now! In this episode of the podcast I cover: What probation periods are Why probation periods matter What is changing from the 1st July 2026 Why you need a good robust induction and onboarding process The importance of setting clear goals and targets for new starters in order to measure their performance and progress as soon as possible How getting it right does not have to be hard but does take time and planning Why having good forms and workflows for the process will aid managers to get the probation period right