In the third episode of our Immigration Series, Alex Finch and Rebecca Tester are joined by Nita Upadhye, Managing Partner of NNU Immigration, to compare the UK and US business immigration systems.

The discussion explores how political pressure around unlawful migration is influencing lawful sponsorship routes, the differing approaches to employer compliance and enforcement, and the structural realities of US green card caps and nationality-based backlogs.

The episode also examines the UK’s proposed earned settlement reforms, the mechanics behind the $100,000 H-1B visa fee, and the practical importance of maintaining underlying status during the US green card process.

A practical, cross-border conversation for employers, HR teams and advisers working with internationally mobile talent.

Find out more about Constantine Law.

The Employment Rights Act has now received Royal Assent and will bring the most radical changes to UK employment law in decades.

In this episode of our podcast's We can work it out series, John Patrick Hayes and Amanda Rajkumar explain what the Employment Rights Act means for UK employers in practice—not just in theory. They break down the key changes, including: 

• The reduction of the unfair dismissal qualifying period to six months
• The removal of the compensation cap for unfair dismissal
• Why these reforms will fundamentally change how employers recruit, manage performance, and make dismissal decisions.

The discussion explores why these changes are already a “now issue” for employers hiring in 2025 and 2026, how probation periods and onboarding processes will need to change, and why poor performance management is about to become a serious balance-sheet risk—particularly for higher-paid roles. The episode also looks at the likely impact on unfair dismissal claims, discrimination claims, senior hires, and settlement negotiations.

John and Amanda also examine wider reforms under the Act, including restrictions on fire and rehire, changes to zero-hours contracts, predictable working patterns, and the implications for agency workers, hospitality, care, logistics, and other flexible labour markets. Drawing on international experience, they compare the UK’s position with the US and Europe and explain why leadership quality and workforce planning will matter more than ever.

This episode is essential listening for employers, HR leaders, and business owners who want to understand what the Employment Rights Act will really change—and how to prepare before the new rules take effect.

Find out more about Constantine Law.

Annual appraisals are one of the most stressful workplace rituals – but are they broken beyond repair, or more important than ever?

In this episode, Constantine Law's John Hayes is joined by HR leader and powerhouse Amanda Rajkumar to unpack why performance appraisals trigger so much anxiety, how outdated processes undermine trust, and what organisations should be doing differently as we head into 2026.

Drawing on experience from multinational organisations and UK SMEs, they explore the shift from once-a-year judgement to continuous feedback, the impact of bias and recency effects, and why poorly trained managers are often the weak link in performance management.

The conversation also looks ahead to upcoming changes in UK employment law, including the growing importance of documented performance conversations, fair appraisals, and consistent feedback in managing risk around dismissals, bonuses, and promotions.

Whether you’re a business owner, HR professional, manager, or employee, this episode offers practical insight into building appraisal systems that are simpler, fairer, legally robust, and actually improve performance.

Topics covered:
• Why appraisals create dread for managers and employees
• Annual reviews vs continuous feedback
• How bias creeps into performance ratings
• Making appraisals shorter, clearer, and more effective
• 360 feedback: what works and what doesn’t
• Appraisals, performance management, and UK employment law in 2026

Find out more about Constantine Law.

In this episode of the Employment Law Podcast by Constantine Law, Alex Finch and Rebecca Tester unpack the UK Government’s new consultation on “earned settlement” and what it could mean for migrants and employers.

They break down the proposals in the policy paper A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, including:

• Increasing the standard settlement period from five to ten years
• New points-based criteria that can speed up—or extend—routes to ILR
• Accelerated options for high earners and certain public sector roles
• Longer routes for those who have accessed public funds, entered unlawfully, or overstayed
• Concerns for health and care workers, medium-skilled workers, and dependent family members
• Expected timelines and practical steps companies should consider now

A clear, concise overview of one of the most significant proposed shifts in UK immigration law for years.

Subscribe for more expert commentary on employment and immigration developments.

Find out more about Constantine Law.

In this episode of The Employment Law Podcast, John Hayes, Founder and Managing Partner of Constantine Law, sits down with Amanda Rajkumar, Board-level HR practitioner, speaker, and former Chief HR Officer at global powerhouses including Adidas, BNP Paribas, and JP Morgan.

Together in this series, they explore how the worlds of employment law and HR leadership can work hand in hand to solve some of the most pressing issues in the modern UK workplace—from hybrid working and wellbeing to equality, inclusion, and trust.

This thought-provoking conversation tackles questions every business leader, HR professional, and employment lawyer should be asking right now:

• How can employers balance compliance with compassion?
• What happens when leadership decisions clash with legal realities?
• And what practical steps can organisations take to create fair, future-proof workplaces?

Tune in to hear how law and leadership can come together to navigate today’s complex employment landscape—and why collaboration, not confrontation, is the key to the future of work.

Find out more about Constantine Law.

This immigration law mini-series, part of the Constantine Law Podcast, is hosted by partners Rebecca Tester and Alex Finch. Across the series, they break down the latest UK immigration policy changes, legal reforms, and their impact on employers, HR teams, and individuals. Clear, practical, and insightful — designed to help you stay ahead in a fast-changing legal landscape.

Find out more about Constantine Law.

In this episode of the Employment Law Podcast, we’re joined by Catherine Wilson (Partner) and Ellie Rogers (Senior Associate) from Constantine Law to unpack the critical role of GDPR in modern recruitment practices.

As more employers turn to AI-powered tools and automated processes to streamline hiring, data protection risks are increasing—and so is regulatory scrutiny. From handling candidate data lawfully to understanding the limits of automated decision-making, this episode offers practical insights for HR, recruiters, and legal teams.

Find out more about Constantine Law.

Bringing new talent into your business? In this episode, partners Fiona Hewitt and Catherine Wilson break down the legal and practical essentials for startups and growing businesses. 

From defining job roles correctly to avoiding discrimination risks and budgeting for hidden hiring costs, they cover what every employer needs to know. Plus, key compliance steps—right-to-work checks, employment contracts, and upcoming legal changes that could impact your business.

Tune in now to stay ahead of the game.

Find out more about Constantine Law.

In the latest episode of The Employment Law Podcast, we join Constantine Law's Eleanor Rogers and Catherine Wilson as they provide essential guidance on managing redundancies, explaining key legal requirements and upcoming changes under the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• Legal definition of redundancy
• Consultation requirements and timelines
• How to count affected employees
• Selection criteria and common pitfalls
• Settlement agreements
• Protected conversations vs without prejudice
• Changes under Employment Rights Act 2025
• Fire and rehire regulation updates

Find out more about Constantine Law.

On the latest episode of The Employment Law Podcast, your hosts John Hayes and Alan Lewis discuss the Employment Rights Bill, covering collective redundancy, whistleblowing interim relief, and zero-hours contracts for agency workers. They explore how these changes could impact employers, from increased costs to reduced labour market flexibility.

Subscribe for more expert insights on employment law!

Find out more about Constantine Law.