The Brightmine Podcast (UK‪)‬ Brightmine.com

A raft of employment law changes have come into effect over the past few months. In this edition of the podcast, Zeba Sayed and Stephen Simpson discuss some developments that have perhaps received less attention than others: the changes to special redundancy protection for family-related leave that came into force on 6 April 2024.
Want to learn more? April 2024 employment law changes: Eight-point checklist for HR
Redundancy policy
Redundancy: Letter offering suitable alternative vacancy to pregnant employee
Redundancy during or after maternity leave: Letter offering suitable alternative vacancy to employee

International and domestic politics, issues of gender and sexuality: people disagree about lots of things. Understandably, many organisations worry about the impact of controversial beliefs being expressed in the workplace - perhaps because of the effect on other employees, perhaps just because of the distraction that disputes can cause.
In this edition of the podcast, employment law specialist Darren Newman joins us to discuss how organisations can navigate conflicts of belief in the workplace. Darren sets out the relevant case law and tackles questions including:
Can employers distinguish between what is said in the workplace and what is said elsewhere, eg on social media? Can they put rules in place governing how people talk about controversial issues? What can they do to protect themselves and their employees? Related resources Gender reassignment discrimination: Gender fluid and non-binary identities are protected Religion or belief discrimination: Gender-critical belief is protected, EAT holds Balancing competing rights: A difficult challenge for employers

Running an employment tribunal claim can be complicated and requires careful management. We are joined by part-time employment tribunal judge Tina Elliott, who offers practical tips on how to prepare effectively.
The topics we discuss include:
case management hearings; document disclosure; witness statements; and video hearings

We are joined by Louise Haycock, immigration solicitor and partner at law firm Fragomen, to discuss the latest immigration changes affecting employers and the workforce, and how HR can prepare for them.

The rules around COVID-19 were very clearly drawn in 2020. But what is the state of play now, not just in relation to COVID but to illness in the workplace generally? What should organisations do about employees who are nervous about returning to the workplace? Or about at-risk employees, particularly when infection rates are high? Or about long COVID - is it now treated as a disability? Bar Huberman, strategy and practice head of content at XpertHR, offers guidance.
Resources
Disability discrimination: Employee with long COVID was disabled
Hybrid working: Setting up the workplace for effective hybrid working
How to respond where an employee is reluctant to return to the workplace

According to a YouGov survey, 15% of people meet their partners at work. Given how widespread the phenomenon is, to what extent does HR need to take an interest in office romances? Stephen Simpson, principal strategy and practice editor at XpertHR, joins us to discuss the finer points of workplace relationship etiquette and to answer the (somewhat unromantic) question: Should the UK introduce US-style "love contracts"?
 
Resources How to manage personal relationships at work
Personal relationships at work - line manager training
Personal relationships at work policy
Personal relationships at work quiz - line manager training