Employment Law at 11

Did you know that Legal Island celebrates its 25th Birthday this Summer? And Seamus has been doing Employment Law at 11 with us since September 2017! Hard to believe! So, in celebration of our long-standing partnership, we bring you some of Seamus' Greatest Hits – the topics and conversations that you engaged with the most. Where are we now with them? Have things changed? And if so, is it for the better?1. English language in the workplace - Is it ok to insist that staff speak only English in the workplace?2. Employee behaviour - What standards of behaviour can be inferred into an employment contract? Can an employee's probation period, for example, be extended for reasons related to their standards of behaviour, rather than for a performance issue?3. Social media and the workplace – what standards can you insist on in relation to social media in the workplace? What if a sick employee is spotted posting pictures on social media while their off? Can you sack employees for their conduct on social media if it's not directly related to their job?4. Resignation - When can a resignation be rescinded?Christine and Seamus and up to 500 participants  discuss your employment law queries live in our webinar series, “Employment Law at 11”.Tell your HR colleagues and register individually or get your HR team around the computer and use the webinars as monthly group learning opportunities.Please note that the employment law matters discussed in this webinar apply primarily to Northern Ireland.Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

Seamus McGranaghan from the employment team at O'Reilly Stewart solicitors and Christine Quinn from Legal Island discuss:The Windsor Framework – does it extinguish the promised ‘Bonfire of Worker's Rights', in NI at least?The New Vento bands – what are they and what do they mean for you?Hub subscriber question – This question is put to us time and again in many ways, so we thought we'd ask Seamus for his take on the rights, wrongs and pitfalls of an edict to return to the office: “Has anyone stopped hybrid working completely within their business and got everyone back to the office five days of the week? Were there any special considerations, processes, or time frames?”Please note that the employment law matters discussed in this webinar apply primarily to Northern Ireland. 

Seamus McGranaghan from the employment team at O'Reilly Stewart solicitors and Christine Quinn from Legal Island  discuss:1.HR – putting the ‘Social' into ESG! Environmental, Social and Governance, or ESG as it's known, is the big buzz word in industry at the moment. But it's more than just a passing trend and HR play a pivotal role in its success. Seamus discusses:•             What is ESG? •             Why does ESG matter for your organisation? •             How your organisation can communicate your ESG agenda to employees to retain existing and attract new talent.•             And why HR are key to ESG success.2.Draft legislation was introduced in the Assembly before it fell aiming to provide enhanced protection for zero-hours workers. It's in the pipeline and forearmed is forewarned! Seamus explains:•             The current law around zero hours contracts•             The law in GB•             The new proposals, and what they could mean for you.

In this months Employment Law at 11, Seamus McGranaghan from the employment team at O'Reilly Stewart solicitors and Christine Quinn from Legal Island discuss:1. Office etiquette during flu season – Covid-19 is on the rise, flu season is upon us and bugs are doing the rounds in schools across the country – so how can you help ensure a healthy workforce without ruffling legal feathers? Can you ask employees to wear a mask if they have the sniffles? Do you have to pay them if they come into work, but you send them home? What about SSP? Seamus' answers aren't to be sniffed at……….2. Happy holidays – the new year brings a new holiday year too and with-it conflicting requests from employees who all want them same 2 weeks off for some fun in the sun, or just to mind the kids during school holidays to save on childcare. So how do you ensure a fair system for making requests? Is ‘first come, come served' really the fairest way? Can you, or indeed should you, prioritise employees with children over those who don't? Seamus explains. Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

Christine Quinn from Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan Director, O'Reilly Stewart, will discuss your questions on “Working or Shirking from Home?” and Christmas Party conundrums.Did you attend Seamus' session at the Annual Review? If so, Christine will ask all your burning questions that he didn't get to on the day. If not, now's your chance to get involved, pose some questions, and catch up on what you missed!With the work Christmas Party making a welcome comeback this year, it's back to the not-so-welcome post-party ‘clean up' for HR Professionals. From drunken antics to inappropriate comments, some work events have it all! Seamus will take you through some helpful tips on how to lay the HR groundwork for a successful event, and what to do if things to do go a bit ‘Christmas Crackers'.  Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

Grab your lunch and join Julie Holmes, Knowledge Partner at Legal Island and Ryan Calvert, Manager of HR Recruitment for UK and Ireland, as they continue to discuss the key trends emerging in HR recruitment.In the current labour market, candidates can have their cake and eat it too. How can your organisation choose the best candidates and more importantly, keep hold of them? Join Ryan as he provides food for thought on Employee Value Proposition to attract talent and the importance of the employee value proposition in key sectors. Lots to get your teeth into!Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

Join Christine Quinn from Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan of O'Reilly Stewart who discuss:1. A new Chancellor, a mini budget and a “bonfire of worker's rights” on the horizon – what do the changes mean for employers?From IR35 reversal, income tax cuts and an EU legislation “sunset clause”– Seamus sorts the facts from the fiction and explains what you need to know.2. Quiet Quitting – a new trend from TikTok? A rebrand of working to rule? Or a consequence of hybrid working and working from home? Whatever it is, it's certainly causing a stir – so how should you handle it? 

Christine Quinn from Legal Island will discuss your employment-related questions with Seamus McGranaghan from the employment team at O'Reilly Stewart solicitors.1.Real wages fell at a record rate between April and June as the cost-of-living crisis took hold and inflation slashed the value of workers' pay, official figures show. When the effect of rising prices is considered, pay including bonuses declined 2.5 per cent in the latest quarter compared to a year earlier. Seamus answers your questions, including:a.What are an employer's legal obligations in relation to providing financial support?b.Contractual pay rise v one-off payments – the pros and cons of each solution.c.Company loans to employees – should you offer them? And if so, how do you manage them?d.Your employee takes on a second job – should you care?2.In these tough economic times, zero-hours workers and those in the gig economy are among the most vulnerable – what's the latest on this ever-evolving area of employment law?

Grab your lunch and join Julie Holmes, Knowledge Partner at Legal Island and Ryan Calvert, Manager of HR Recruitment for UK and Ireland, as they continue to discuss the key trends emerging in HR recruitment.Using applications or CVs is like comparing apples to oranges for the purposes of recruitment – how do you keep your campaign from going pear shaped? Some would say applications are what employers want to know while CVs are what candidates want to share. Ryan discusses these issues and how you can avoid potential pitfalls. Ryan also provides top tips on creating a standout CV if you're on the lookout for a new opportunity. Plenty of information to digest!MCS Help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high-performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to mcsgroup.jobs to see their latest roles. 

 Christine Quinn from Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan, Director, O'Reilly Stewart solicitors will discuss:1. Extreme Political Views - How Do I Handle It? Seamus deals with an awkward issue – “It has been brought to my attention by a concerned employee that we have a member of staff who has extreme political views. The individual regularly expresses and discusses his views around antisemitism, white supremacy, racism and homophobia with his peers and is understandably making them uncomfortable. How do I handle it?”2.Fire & Re-hire – the decision is in on USDAW v Tesco plc. What does this mean for fire and re-hire policies going forward?3. Too Hot to Work - Workplace Temperatures. With temperatures in the UK reaching record highs this month, do you know the law around workplace temperatures?Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

Christine Quinn from Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan from O'Reilly Stewart solicitors will be joined by Mark McAllister of the Labour Relations Agency and discuss:1.Strikes, rising costs and union busting  - you'd be forgiven for thinking we've jumped in a DeLorean and headed back to the 1980s when reading newspaper headlines at the minute – but it looks like we may be revving up for some serious strikes in the next few months. Seamus/Mark McAllister explains:a.The current law on strikes including the similarities and differences between NI and England & Wales.b.Why agency workers are currently banned from filling in for striking staff.c.What changes the Westminster government are proposing.2.According to the OECD, the UK now has the second highest childcare costs among leading economies.  And a TUC poll of working parents with pre-school children – published in March of this year – revealed that one in three (32%) spend more than a third of their wages on childcare.   With the summer holidays on the way parents, particularly mums, are in a catch-22 situation – they need childcare to work, but childcare is becoming prohibitively expensive. So what other rights are available to them to help them ‘juggle' during the holidays? Seamus takes us through the family-related rights open to workers and how to ensure your organisation is compliant.  Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

In the second instalment of a series of webinars discussing comparative laws on the island of Ireland and GB, Lewis Silkin and Legal Island will discuss equality laws in GB, NI and ROI including:An analysis of the types of discrimination claims across GB, NI and ROI – what are the trends or similarities?The gulf between equality laws in GB and NI has widened since the introduction of the GB Equality Act. What are the key need to knows about the inconsistencies? What are the key differences in ROI equality law?New areas including the menopause, long covid, gender, philosophical belief, social mobility, accent and language are impacting the equality landscape. What are the current reforms in GB, NI and ROI equality law and what changes on the horizon should we prepare for?Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

Grab your lunch and join Rolanda Markey, Learning and Development Team at Legal Island and Ryan Calvert, Manager of HR Recruitment for UK and Ireland, as they discuss the key trends emerging in HR recruitment.Ryan serves up some digestible golden nuggets of information and guidance that will leave you feeling satisfied and refreshed!MCS Help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high-performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to mcsgroup.jobs to see their latest roles. 

Christine Quinn from Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan of O'Reilly Stewart will discuss:1. The new guidance on Harassment and Bullying at work. The Equality Commission and LRA have produced guidance that outlines some steps that you can take to help build an inclusive workplace. Seamus dives into the detail, explains what it means for your organisation and takes your questions.2. The twists and turns of the holiday pay saga continue, with Agnew v PSNI being relisted for hearing in December 2022 – so just what is all the fuss about? What's the position at the moment? And what can we hope for if (when?) a decision is finally made?3. Audience question – we're always happy to address your questions, so please do send them in. Today Seamus answers this listener query:“Can a full-time employee, transferring role within a corporation (at employers request) and within the same legal entity, request or expect their employer to include within the employee's ‘unchanged' terms and conditions, a reference to redundancy terms? The transfer is occurring between two separate teams in the same corporation and the redundancy terms of the originating team (manufacturing plant) have typically been generous. The employee is concerned that the new (global) team's redundancy terms might not be as generous and thus disadvantage them in the event of redundancy from the global team. The employer is refusing to comment on redundancy terms in the new T&C (redundancy terms were not included in the original contract but have arisen over many years through various redundancy programs)”.Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

In this month's webinar, Seamus McGranaghan, O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors and Rolanda Markey, Legal Island will discuss legal and contractual issues around hybrid working as many people start to return to the office and others are reluctant to do so. They'll also look at considerations around probationary periods and, following the recently reported case of an employee who was forced to express milk in the car park and toilets, look at what provisions employers must make for breastfeeding employees.Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

In this webinar, Seamus McGranaghan of O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors joins Rolanda Markey of Legal Island to discuss your employment law queries. They discuss redundancy consultation and notification; dealing with industrial action – what not to do, and the position for NI employers in employing Ukrainian refugees.Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

Legal Island's Comparative Employment Law Table has been updated and expanded to include recent Republic of Ireland developments (of which there are many). Ciara Fulton of Lewis Silkin joins Legal Island's Rolanda Markey to take a deep dive into the Table and discuss new ways of working and family-related rights in GB, NI and Ireland including:Ireland is tackling work-life balance and remote working head on – what does this mean for employers in Ireland? GB doesn't need to implement EU Directives following Brexit but has already promised to match the new rights for carers in the Work-life Balance Directive. How will NI be affected considering its unique position post-Brexit? Will NI follow GB, Ireland or set its own course?Flexible working rights in GB are to be extended – who, why, what and when? And what about the right to request flexible working in Ireland and NI?Parental bereavement leave in NI – What does this mean for NI organisations and what will the consultation on extending the Regulations bring? What are the similarities and differences between GB, NI and Ireland on this important topic?Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

Register for the next free webinar in our Employment Law at 11 series, during which Seamus McGranaghan, Director at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors, and Christine Quinn from Legal Island will discuss:As Covid restrictions are easing at pace in England, NI prefers a more cautious approach. So, what does the easing mean for organisations here in NI? We discuss mask-wearing, self-isolating and who stumps up the cost for tests.Are you thinking of implementing a Fire and Re-hire policy in your organisation? A cautionary tale from the GB case of USDAW v Tesco Stores Ltd [2022] should help guide you.The Fair Employment Tribunal is unique to NI within the UK – but do you know the law? The recent case of Campbell v Castlereagh City Council [2022] shines a light on third party harassment in fair employment cases.Legal Island's webinars and podcasts are sponsored by MCS Group, MCS help people find careers that match their skill sets perfectly, as well as supporting employers to build high performing businesses by connecting them with the most talented candidates in the market. If you are interested in finding out how MCS can help you, head to www.mcsgroup.jobs. 

Employment specialist Emma McIlveen BL and Scott Alexander from Legal Island will be discussing the most important Northern Ireland employment cases of the year and how they are relevant to other employers. Held in association with the NI Employment Lawyers' GroupThe cases covered in this webinar include:Wahab v Four Seasons (No.7) Limited (unfair dismissal; unlawful deductions from wages; race discrimination)Campbell v Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (Religious belief/political opinion discrimination; agency worker)Anonymised Claimant v Anonymised Respondent (Sexual harassment and assault in the workplace)McNicholl v Bank of Ireland & Cummins (Sexual harassment and joint and several liability)Nevin McEldowney v Randox Farming Limited trading as Cherryvalley Farms (Unfair dismissal; Reasonable Adjustments; Registered Intermediary)Byrne v Aware Defeat Depression Ltd (Disability Discrimination; Constructive Dismissal)

Covid-19 – it's still the elephant in the room and the (horrendous) gift that keeps on giving to HR professionals! Big names are cutting sick pay for the unvaccinated and recent Covid Tribunal decisions are finally published – what does this mean for your organisation?In this live webinar recording, Seamus McGranaghan from the employment team at O'Reilly Stewart solicitors and Christine Quinn from Legal Island discuss:Morrisons, Ikea, Next, Ocado and other big names have all cut sick pay for unvaccinated workers who are forced to isolate after being exposed to Covid. Is this lawful? Can all employers do the same thing?We're finally seeing some interesting case law clarifying issues that have arisen because of the pandemic. They include whistleblowing, dismissals and whether a fear of Covid is a philosophical belief and therefore protected by the GB Equality Act. What do these decisions mean for you?

Mark McAllister from the Labour Relations Agency, and Scott Alexander from Legal Island will be discussing the top 5 employment cases of the year from NI and GB that impact on NI employers.  Each case review will cover:A short discussion on the facts and background in the caseA short discussion on the decision and why it's important to youRecommended actions as a result of the decision 

In the first Employment Law at 11 webinar of 2022, Seamus McGranaghan of O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors will join Christine Quinn of Legal Island to discuss:The new statutory sick pay rules – did skiving just get harder to police?Covid rules and abuse of staff – how to ensure a safe working environment while still complying with the ever-changing rules.What standards of behaviour can be inferred into a contract of employment? Did you see the story about the postman in Scotland who was dismissed because he didn't help a householder who had fallen in the snow and needed help? He argued he was too tired and parted with his employer some months later. Where is line between being altruistic/decent and being required to help others or it becomes a disciplinary issue?

Join Christine and Seamus and up to 500 participants as they discuss your employment law queries live in our webinar series, “Employment Law at 11”. In this episode,  your questions on long-term absence and the law will be discussed.

Our monthly Employment Law at 11 podcast with Seamus McGranaghan of O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors returns.  In this podcast, Christine and Seamus will discuss: ·  Staff shortages, the recruitment crisis and the "great resignation" – how to stand out from the crowd, recruit and retain talent in challenging times. ·  Surveillance in the workplace – Can we do it? Should we do it? And is it legal?

Seamus McGranaghan of O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors and Stuart Nottingham of Sun Rehabilitation discuss hybrid working and the complexities of working life in the ‘new normal'.Employment law expert Seamus will address the legal complexities of a hybrid working policy, how to assess suitability, risk assessment and when and if the law requires an employer to provide equipment for homeworking. He'll also deal with equality issues around home or hybrid working – what to expect and how to negotiate this minefield.Registered occupational health-chartered physiotherapist, Stuart, has over 20 years' experience in the field of occupational health. He is also an NLP Master Practitioner with a keen interest in ergonomics, active working strategies, and mindfulness in the workplace. Stuart shares his expertise on homeworking ergonomics and the science behind us all needing to adopt a more active approach to our working lives.

Christine Quinn from Legal Island's Learning and Development Team and Seamus McGranaghan, Partner at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors discuss the implications of the EU Whistleblowing Directive in the UK.Although the UK has already implemented comprehensive protection for whistleblowers there are a few matters within the Directive not included in UK domestic legislation. Christine and Seamus discuss what amendments or enhancements may be made to domestic legislation to bring it closer into line with the Directive.Topics covered in this webinar included:What are the implications of the EU Whistleblowing Directive in the UK?Should people who choose to remain working remotely have their pay cut?The 'pingdemic': Covid, close contacts and data protection

In this month's webinar Seamus McGranaghan, Partner at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors is joined by Christine Quinn, Learning and Development Officer at Legal Island, discuss:Dismissal for activities outside the workplace – potential fairness and lawfulnessRecent GB Consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and position in NI on preventing sexual harassmentWearing of face coverings/masks in the workplace if mandatory use is removed

In this month's webinar Seamus McGranaghan, Partner at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors is be joined by Christine Quinn, Learning & Development Officer at Legal Island, and special guest, Helen Smyth, Senior Employment Relations Manager in Advisory Services at the Labour Relations Agency.They discuss issues around:‘no jab, no job' here in Northern Ireland in light of the decision on care home staff in EnglandUpcoming Changes to the Covid-19 Furlough SchemeThe recent Equality Commission for Northern Ireland guidance on Menopause in the Workplace

In this podcast, Scott and Seamus are joined by Mairead Scott, MD of Honeycomb Jobs, as they discuss issues around the Fire/Re-hire policy that many organisations are being criticised for implementing, and steps that employers can take to help address staff shortages in many industries as result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In this episode, Scott Alexander, Head of Learning and Development at Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan, Partner at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors, discuss:The ‘no-jab-no-job' policy which appears to be gaining momentumThe impact of long-covid for employersWhat employers should be doing to prepare for hybrid working now

In this Podcast Mark McAllister, Director of Director of Employment Relations Services with the LRA discusses the key employment law developments in NI from April 2021 and outlines what to look out for this coming year.

In this recording, Scott and Seamus discuss your employment law queries relating to the implications of the Asda Equal Pay and Mencap Minimum Wage cases from the Supreme Court and other matters.

In this month's episode, Scott Alexander (Head of Learning and Development at Legal Island) and Seamus McGranaghan (Partner at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors) discuss:Furlough and home workingEstablishing a Reasonable Steps DefenceAnd much, much more

In this episode,  Seamus McGranaghan of O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors and Scott Alexander of Legal Island, address and discuss your burning questions including topics such as:Furlough / Home-workingCash Shortages and RedundancyConstructive DismissalOccupational Health Assessmentsand much, much more

In the latest episode of Employment Law at 11, Scott Alexander (Head of Learning and Development at Legal Island) and Seamus McGranaghan (Partner at O'Reilly Stewart) discuss Brexit; Employment Status; IR35; Absence Management; Constructive Dismissal; and much more.

In this webinar recording Head of Learning and Development at Legal Island, Scott Alexander, and Director at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors, Seamus McGranaghan, discuss amongst other items the very topical issue of Coronavirus vaccinations and whether you can compel employees to have the vaccine as a condition of returning to the workplace. Plus, we cover the topical subject of employees going home for Christmas and remote working issues.