The Employment Law Pod

In this episode Andrew Whiteaker and Harjeet Nangla explore the increasingly important issue of interim relief in employment disputes.

They discuss what interim relief is, when an employee can make an application and the high legal threshold that must be met. The episode looks particularly at cases involving whistleblowing and protected disclosures, which are a common basis for interim relief applications, as well as the strict seven-day deadline for making an application.

Andrew and Harjeet also explain how interim relief hearings work, including the “pretty good chance” test applied by the employment tribunal and why an unsuccessful interim relief application does not necessarily mean an employee will lose their claim at a final hearing.

The discussion considers why applications have increased, including the use of AI and significant delays in employment tribunal hearings, and the potential financial consequences for employers. They also look at the practical steps employers should take when making dismissal decisions and the importance of maintaining clear evidence of the reasons and process behind a decision to dismiss.

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In this episode, Helen Goss and Rachael McAnulty discuss the increasing use of AI to prepare workplace grievances and the challenges this can create for HR teams.

They cover:

AI-generated grievances
The problems with lengthy, repetitive grievances containing irrelevant or inaccurate legal references, and how HR teams can identify the real issues.

Early resolution
Why addressing workplace conflict early and encouraging open communication can help prevent issues from escalating into formal grievances.

Practical steps for HR
How grievance policies and manager training can help employees raise concerns clearly and support HR teams in dealing with AI-generated complaints.

SOSR and relationship breakdown
When some other substantial reason may potentially apply where working relationships have broken down, and why this should be treated as a high-risk option.

Confidentiality and privilege
The potential risks of employees or employers entering confidential information into open-source AI tools, including implications for legal privilege.

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How much is your business really worth to a buyer and how much of that value sits in things that never appear on a balance sheet?

In this second instalment of our series on maximising business value ahead of a sale, Helen Goss from the Boyes Turner employment team is joined again by Rebecca Woolmington of HR Central. Where Part 1 looked at organisational structure, succession planning and getting contracts in order, this episode turns to the softer but no less scrutinised areas of a due diligence process: culture, engagement, communication, legal risk and post-sale transition.

Helen and Rebecca discuss how a prospective buyer forms a view of your culture (sometimes within minutes of walking through the door), why exit interviews and grievance patterns tell a story the C-suite doesn't always want to hear, and how open communication becomes critical and fragile the moment a sale is on the horizon. They also cover the practical legal risks that can quietly erode value, from minimum wage and holiday pay slip-ups to undocumented conversations, health and safety for hybrid workers, data security and AI policies.

Whether you're planning an exit in six months or five years, this episode is a practical guide to putting your best foot forward.

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In this episode of the Employment Law Pod, employment Partner Andrew Whiteaker is joined by dispute resolution Partner Phillip Baldwin to explore the growing impact of AI on litigation, grievances and dispute resolution.

Andy and Phil explore how litigants, employees and businesses are increasingly using tools such as ChatGPT to prepare grievances, legal arguments and tribunal claims. They discuss how AI can improve access to justice and support individuals who may otherwise be unable to obtain legal advice, while also creating significant challenges for courts, tribunals and employers. 

The conversation covers:

• Why employment judges are starting to push back on AI-generated submissions
• The rise in lengthy and overly complex tribunal claims
• How AI can create false confidence for litigants
• The risks of hallucinated case law and inaccurate legal arguments
• Confidentiality and privilege concerns when using open source AI tools
• The growing pressure on tribunal and court systems
• Why AI can make settlement discussions more difficult
• Practical advice for employers handling AI-generated grievances and complaints
• The continued importance of legal expertise, negotiation and human judgment in dispute resolution

Alongside the risks, the episode also looks at the positive ways legal professionals are using AI to improve efficiency, including disclosure exercises and document review, while emphasising the importance of human judgment, negotiation skills and legal expertise in resolving disputes effectively.

If you have any questions about employment disputes, grievances, litigation or the use of AI in the workplace, the teams at Boyes Turner would be happy to help.

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In this episode of the Employment Law Pod, Andrew Whiteaker is joined by Will Morris from Profectus Recruitment to unpack one of the most significant upcoming changes in UK employment law. With the Employment Rights Act introducing a new six month qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims and removing the compensation cap, businesses are entering a period of real change and increased risk.

Andy explains how the shift from two years to six months will reshape decision making for employers, particularly during the early stages of employment. The conversation explores how this change raises the stakes for getting recruitment and onboarding right from day one, and why waiting until the end of a probation period could create unintended legal exposure.

Will brings a recruitment perspective, highlighting the challenges businesses already face in attracting and retaining talent. From high turnover in the first six months to misaligned expectations around hybrid working, he shares practical insights into how companies can better position themselves in a competitive market. The discussion also touches on the idea of “corporate catfishing” and the risks of overselling roles or culture during the hiring process.

Together, they emphasise that strong onboarding, clear communication, and realistic hiring strategies are not just legal safeguards but essential for business performance. They also discuss the pressures on smaller organisations without dedicated HR support and how a focus on fairness and reasonableness can go a long way in navigating complex and evolving regulations.

The episode closes with practical tips for employers, including tightening recruitment processes, improving briefing for recruiters, reducing unnecessary interview stages, and ensuring that offers and employee experiences align with expectations.

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In this episode of the Employment Law Pod, Helen Goss is joined by long-time collaborator Rebecca Woolmington, founder of HR Central, to explore how businesses can maximise value and minimise risk when preparing for sale from a people perspective.

With growing movement across the SME market, many organisations are gearing up for investment or exit. But as Helen and Rebecca explain, buyers aren’t just purchasing products, services or IP, they’re buying people, structure and operational stability. That means preparation is essential.

HR data and documentation are often seen as routine administration, but they play a critical role in protecting and enhancing business value. Well-organised records, appraisal histories and clear documentation make due diligence smoother and more convincing. Using real-world experience and practical examples, this episode breaks down what “getting match-fit for sale” really involves and why the work you do behind the scenes can dramatically increase valuation.

Stay tuned as Helen and Rebecca will return to discuss culture, communication, post-sale legal risks and integration challenges, whether you’re buying or selling.

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In this episode of the Employment Law Pod, partners Andrew Whitaker and Helen Goss unpack one of the most significant shake-ups to UK employment law in decades: the Employment Rights Act.

With the Act now in force and many changes being phased in through 2026 and 2027, Andy and Helen explore what we know so far, what remains uncertain, and what employers should be thinking about now.

They discuss the headline reforms, including the reduction of the unfair dismissal qualifying period to six months, the proposed removal of the compensation cap, changes to statutory sick pay, collective redundancy rules, trade union law, fire and rehire, and zero-hours contracts. 

Importantly, this episode doesn’t just focus on risk. Andy and Helen take a balanced view, using their famous Venn diagram thinking to explore whether there are genuine positives for both employers and employees, from improved workforce engagement and retention to a more level playing field across sectors.

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In our last employment podcast of the year Claire Taylor- Evans, Partner and Harjeet Nangla, Senior Associate discuss what might be on HR’s 2025 Christmas Wish List.

Can you spot the festive song lyrics throughout the episode?

The discussion starts with the risk of workplace Christmas parties, looking at employer liability, festive misconduct and the heightened obligations introduced by the Worker Protection Act. Claire and Harjeet unpack what “reasonable steps” really mean, the role of risk assessments, training and workplace culture, and how the EHRC is beginning to use its enforcement powers.

The conversation then turns to the long-awaited Employment Rights Bill, soon to become the Employment Rights Act 2025. The episode provides a practical overview of what’s changing, when those changes are expected to take effect, and why employers should start planning now. 

Finally, the episode addresses the rise in restructures and redundancies amid economic uncertainty. Claire and Harjeet highlight common pitfalls around collective redundancy thresholds, settlement agreements and voluntary redundancies, and explain why early HR involvement and robust tracking are critical to avoiding costly mistakes.

A festive but practical end-of-year episode packed with insights to help HR teams stay compliant, reduce risk and prepare for what lies ahead in 2026 and beyond.

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If you’re staring down a reorganisation, a redundancy risk, or a fraying working relationship, a well-drafted settlement agreement can be the difference between clean closure and months of expensive uncertainty. In this episode, Partner Helen Goss and Solicitor Rachael McAnulty break down everything employers and employees need to know about settlement agreements.

With organisations continuing to restructure in a challenging economic climate, settlement agreements are increasingly common but they’re often misunderstood. Helen and Rachael discuss what a settlement agreement is, when it should be used, and the key clauses that must be drafted with care.

From tax treatment and PENP calculations to restrictive covenants, legal fee contributions, and the importance of getting notice arrangements right, this conversation provides clear, practical guidance for HR teams, business owners, and individuals exiting a company.

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Andrew Whiteaker, and Helen Goss unpack the legal and practical considerations when employees take time away from their regular roles, from temporary secondments to unpaid sabbaticals and career breaks. 

They discuss: 

• What distinguishes a secondment from a sabbatical or unpaid leave
• Common pitfalls when employees return from extended absence
• How to avoid disputes with clear written agreements
• What happens when a role no longer exists at the end of a secondment

Later in the episode, Andy and Helen delve into the CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work Survey 2025, which reveals a sharp rise in sickness absence across UK sectors. They explore why absence levels are increasing, particularly the growing impact of mental health, the effects of hybrid and home working on sickness trends, how HR teams can manage absence more effectively through better data, communication, and manager training, and why employee wellbeing strategies need to move beyond box-ticking. 

This episode is packed with practical advice for HR professionals, business leaders, and in-house counsel looking to stay ahead of emerging employment law and people management issues.

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