Hired and Fired - Employment Law Podcast

Chelsea Brooke-Ward

Hired and Fired – The Employment Law Podcast Welcome to Hired and Fired, the ultimate employment law podcast for HR professionals, business owners, employees, and legal minds alike. Hosted by award-winning employment barrister Chelsea Brooke-Ward, this podcast unpacks the latest legal developments, key tribunal cases, and workplace disputes with clarity, insight, and a touch of humor. From unfair dismissal to discrimination claims, TUPE transfers to redundancy rights, Hired and Fired delivers straight-talking analysis, practical advice, and real-world case studies to help you navigate the complexities of employment law. Whether you’re managing a workforce, fighting a claim, or just curious about your rights, this podcast gives you the knowledge you need—without the legal jargon. New episodes drop regularly, covering hot topics, industry trends, and interviews with expert guests. Subscribe now and stay ahead in the ever-changing world of employment law! 🎙️ Listen. Learn. Stay Legally Savvy. Let me know if you’d like any tweaks!

Episodes

  1. JAN 22

    Restrictive Covenants - What really does not work

    In this episode, Chelsea lifts the lid on restrictive covenants — the clauses employers love, employees fear, and most people completely misunderstand. From non-competes to non-solicitation and confidentiality, Chelsea explains what actually makes a covenant enforceable. What You’ll Learn in This Episode 1. What Restrictive Covenants Actually Are (Not What People Think) Purpose: protecting legitimate business interestsTypes: non-compete, non-solicitation, non-dealing, poaching, confidentialityWhy “one-size-fits-all” contracts are the fastest route to unenforceabilityWhy judges hate overly broad restrictions 2. The Legal Test for Enforceability Chelsea breaks down — in human English — the two-step test: (1) Is the employer protecting a legitimate interest?Clients, staff stability, trade secrets, confidential info(2) Is the restriction reasonable in scope, geography, duration, and activity?And why “12 months for a receptionist” isn’t passing any test. 3. Common Myths Debunked “If I never signed it, I’m fine.” (Maybe. Maybe not.)“It’s in my contract so it must be enforceable.” (Bless you.)“HR said it’s standard.” (Doesn’t mean a Tribunal or Court will touch it.)“I can just work for a friend’s company — they can’t trace it.” (Ah, but they can.)4. Why New Employers Get Dragged Into the Drama Tortious interferenceKnowing assistance in breach of covenantWhy the new employer is often the one with money, making enforcement worthwhileWhy employers write “courtesy letters” to the new employer — and the tactical power of doing itThe reality: employers don’t sue the ex-employee if they can sue the business they joined5. The Employee’s Perspective What you can do, what you shouldn’t do, and what will definitely get you suedHow to leave a company without triggering a legal warDigital footprints that betray you (LinkedIn updates, emails to yourself, quiet deals with clients)Why leaving gracefully is a legal strategy, not a personality trait6. The Employer’s Perspective Drafting covenants that actually stand up in courtWhy you need to evidence the legitimate business interest — not guess itWhen to send the “warning shot” letterMonitoring restrictive covenant breaches without breaching data lawsThe cost-benefit analysis of enforcement7. Garden Leave vs Restrictive Covenants How garden leave protects employers better than half the covenants in circulationWhen garden leave is enforceableWhy “payment in lieu” can completely change the enforceability mathsHow these interact with non-competes 8. Confidential Information (The Most Misunderstood Area) What counts as confidential informationWhat doesn’tWhy customer lists often aren’t confidentialCopying vs memorisingHow forensic IT comes into play 9. Case Law Themes (Explained Without Boring You) What the courts consistently strike outWhat they consistently upholdWhy clarity beats clever draftingWhy seniority matters“The grace period” — the informal, unspoken

    19 min

About

Hired and Fired – The Employment Law Podcast Welcome to Hired and Fired, the ultimate employment law podcast for HR professionals, business owners, employees, and legal minds alike. Hosted by award-winning employment barrister Chelsea Brooke-Ward, this podcast unpacks the latest legal developments, key tribunal cases, and workplace disputes with clarity, insight, and a touch of humor. From unfair dismissal to discrimination claims, TUPE transfers to redundancy rights, Hired and Fired delivers straight-talking analysis, practical advice, and real-world case studies to help you navigate the complexities of employment law. Whether you’re managing a workforce, fighting a claim, or just curious about your rights, this podcast gives you the knowledge you need—without the legal jargon. New episodes drop regularly, covering hot topics, industry trends, and interviews with expert guests. Subscribe now and stay ahead in the ever-changing world of employment law! 🎙️ Listen. Learn. Stay Legally Savvy. Let me know if you’d like any tweaks!