In this episode, Senior Counsel Sarah Baker and Associate Harriet Willis from our Employment team discuss diversity, equality and inclusion with a focus on the implications and differences of positive action and positive discrimination according to UK law. While positive action can be used to increase diversity in the workplace, an understanding of the nuance between positive action and positive discrimination is imperative to avoid the risk of discrimination claims from groups not benefiting from it.

Listen to hear our recommendations on how to mitigate the risks in implementing positive action measures and how to benefit while remaining compliant.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

In this episode, Knowledge Counsel Adam Rice and Trainee Solicitor Daisy Robinson from our Employment team explore the topic of how employers should approach their treatment of workers from an ESG and ethics perspective, covering three key areas:

• correct worker classification,
• treatment of zero-hours and casual workers,
• fire-and-rehire and the proposed code of practice to regulate this.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Key employment and business immigration developments for employers.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

In this episode, Associates Chris Wilkinson and Sophie Macpherson from our Employment team shift the focus to flexible working and family friendly policies. The hosts consider upcoming changes to the right to request flexible working in the UK, as well as a number of other family friendly developments in the pipeline, including the implementation of carer's leave, neonatal leave, changes to paternity leave and enhanced redundancy protection. These changes predominantly come into effect from April 2024.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

In episode four, Senior Counsel Sarah Baker and Trainee Solicitor Hattie Rawlings from our Employment team interview Jackie Buttery, Head of Benefits and Rewards at Travers Smith, to understand how we are incorporating ESG into our employee benefits strategy. Our speakers explore legal obligations employers have towards their employees' mental health, discuss the potential of green initiatives within the employee benefits space, and unravel the tie between ESG and employee wellbeing. Furthermore, they shed light on the ways companies can bolster their support for employees via benefit packages and underscore the role communication plays in successfully implementing ESG strategies.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

In episode three, Senior Associate Naomi Pollock and Associate Harry Wade from our Employment team discuss the new duty on employers to prevent workplace sexual harassment, which will take effect in October 2024. The pair explain the steps that employers will need to take (in relation to implementing policies and training managers, for example) and also look at some of the challenges for employers when investigating sexual harassment allegations.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

In episode two, Senior Associate James Wells and Associate Tom Hunt from our Employment team explore the increased expectation for employers to act ethically in investigating compliance concerns. Senior Associate James Hulmes from our Dispute Resolutions team also joins to discuss ethical considerations for employer investigations, emerging ESG-related trends, and balancing transparency with legal privilege in investigation processes.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

In our first episode, Employment Associates Chris Wilkinson and Laetitia Ajimal discuss speak up culture and handling complaints. The conversation centres around the concept of 'Speaking Up', its importance, how whistleblowing differs from a grievance, and the protection afforded to whistleblowers under UK law. The need for businesses to regularly review their policies and methods of responding to complaints is also covered.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Within this series of bite-sized episodes, our Employment Team explore people-related issues relevant to both HR professionals and in-house legal teams, and what ESG really means in the context of your people agenda.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

In these three episodes we are joined by Deacons Partners Cynthia Chung and Elsie Chan and Deacons Associate Stephanie Yip.

We will be discussing some of the key considerations when it comes to employing staff in Hong Kong, including the hiring process, the end of employment and other key aspects and considerations of Hong Kong employment law.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp