May's topic is Harassment in the Workplace“We need a shift in culture so that every single instance of sexual harassment is investigated and dealt with.” Tarana Burke, #MeToo founderSo says the introduction of the new guidance “Eliminating Sexual Harassment from the Modern Workplace” produced by the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Christine and Seamus will hear from Claire Webb of the Labour Relations Agency in what is sure to be an engaging discussion. Claire assisted in drafting the new guidance released just last month, so we’ll be hearing direct from her on its impact and implications. Join us and get up to date on the new guidance, best practice and what you can do to ensure your staff’s safety and reduce the risks to your organisation of costly claims.Please note that the employment law matters discussed in this webinar apply primarily to Northern Ireland.

Christine and Seamus discuss your employment law queries live in our webinar series, “Employment Law at 11”. This month it's an NI Case Law Special. Seamus and Christine will unpack the lessons to be learnt from 3 recent NI cases:1. Watson v Police Service of Northern Ireland [2024] - failure to disclose information during the recruitment process.2. Bond v Chief Constable of the PSNI [2023] - sex discrimination claim.3. Rainey v Mid & East Antrim Borough Council [2023] - unfair dismissal and protected disclosures.

Christine Quinn, Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan, O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors, are BACK to discuss your employment law queries live in our webinar series, “Employment Law at 11”. This month they discuss:Equality Matters Special1. Neurodiversity in the workplaceRecent CIPD research shows that 1 in 5 neurodivergent employees have experienced harassment or discrimination at work, and only half say they would feel safe to talk about neurodiversity in their organisation. And case law is stacking up, demonstrating the importance of getting it right with your employees who are not neurotypical. Seamus takes you through best practice, and recent cases that need to be on your radar.2. Menopause and the workplace8th March is International Women’s Day and we’re talking about something that will happen to all women one day – menopause. Women make up nearly 50% of the working population in Northern Ireland and with the change in pension age, it's likely that more women will be working later into life. So, employers need to consider how they can support women in the workplace, so they can hold on to their experienced staff members. Seamus talks you through the guidance, best practice and caselaw to be aware of.Please note that the employment law matters discussed in this webinar apply primarily to Northern Ireland.

Christine and Seamus and up to 500 participants as they discuss your employment law queries in our webinar series, “Employment Law at 11”. This month they discuss:1.NEW YEAR, NEW LAW - Working Time RegulationsThe amended Working Time Regulations came into force on 1st January 2024 – they provide express rights to carry over unused holiday, codify the caselaw in the area and clarify what amounts to normal pay for the 4-weeks ‘EU leave’. Seamus will guide you through the amendments, introduce you to the new guidance just published in both NI and GB and highlight what you need to do going forward.2.Social Media stressesAnother high-profile case in England, Higgs v Farmor’s School, once again shines a light on the issue of social media and clashing beliefs in the workplace. Our own home-grown social media cases – McDade and Shiels - illustrate that social media and work is not just a problem in England and Wales, it’s very much a factor in dismissals here in NI. Seamus will talk you through the latest caselaw and steps that you can take now to mitigate risks in your organisation.  Please note that the employment law matters discussed in this webinar apply primarily to Northern Ireland.

Digital transformation expert Kieran Gilmurray shares the ten steps you need to take to implement AI successfully in your HR department. From setting clear business objectives to expanding AI into every relevant HR area and business role, and much more in between.

Julie Holmes from Legal Island and Ryan Calvert, Head of Human Resources, Sales and Marketing Recruitment from MCS, provide an annual recruitment wrap-up, where Ryan delved into the latest recruitment trends in roles, pay and sector differentiators. Essential viewing to stay up-to-date with recruitment insights to gain a competitive edge in the talent market.By understanding the latest trends and best practices, employers can tailor their recruitment processes to streamline them, resulting in time and cost savings by automating repetitive tasks and improving the overall efficiency of the hiring process. Learn about techniques to create a positive impression on candidates, leading to better engagement and increased likelihood of successful hires. From emerging job profiles to salary shifts and sector-specific demands, our expert will equip you with the knowledge to stay ahead.

Christine Quinn, Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan, O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors, are BACK to discuss your employment law queries in this Employment Law at 11 podcast.The GB Worker Protection Act:Northern Ireland employment legislation is increasingly diverging from GB legislation and blanket coverage of English and Welsh law in HR publications makes it difficult to weed out what does and doesn’t apply here in NI. Does third-party liability already apply here? Exactly what is the legal position for Northern Ireland employers? Seamus explains the new GB Act and what you need to know.Winter is coming:a.) Addressing challenging weather scenarios when they impact your workforce.b.) Get ready to expertly manage your company's Christmas celebrations, ensuring a memorable and trouble-free experience for all.

October is Cyber Security month!Government statistics reveal that a staggering 39% of businesses experienced a cyber-attack last year. 74% of all data breaches can be traced back to human error. It’s not enough to rely on your IT team, HR should be front and centre in the fight to protect data and in making sure that all employees know their responsibilities.Employment Law at 11 regulars, Seamus McGranaghan of O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors and Christine Quinn of Legal Island, discussed all things Cyber with special guest expert, Keith Anderson of Vertical Structure.Keith discussed:1. Best practice for your systems and protocols.2. Lessons from the PSNI breach.3. The biggest cyber risks to be aware of, how to avoid them with all staff training and hear how Legal Island can support you on this journeyWhile Seamus covered all the legal angles including:1. How to assess risk following an incident.2. Ransomware: when can you pay a ransom? Should you pay a ransom?3. The investigation, legal privilege and DSARs by both employees and ex-employees.

Join Christine Quinn, Knowledge Partner, Legal Island, and Seamus McGranaghan, Partner, O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors as they discuss:Bullying and harassment - tackling bullying and harassment in the workplace is both a legal and moral obligation for HR. The recent scandal surrounding young McDonalds' employees and the issues in BBC NI surrounding the alleged circulation of questionable video content by a senior figure has really brought this subject to the fore. So how do you deal with this thorny issue?Redundancy – concerns around redundancies here in NI in big names such as Norbrook, Ulster Bank and BT, and the collapse of household name Wilko in England have highlighted this uncomfortable reality for HR. Conducting the process well and legally can make all the difference for everyone concerned. Seamus offers his top tips and advice, including the advantages of a well-drafted Compromise Agreement.

Seamus McGranaghan from the employment team at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors and Christine Quinn from Legal Island discuss 3 big NI cases that you need to keep on your HR radar!1. Molloy v D&W Carlisle Ltd [2023] NIIT 25132/21A failure to follow isolation guidance during the pandemic constituted gross misconduct due to health and safety failings by an employee.2. McDade v Norman Emerson Group Limited [2023] NIIT 63140/22A claim of unfair dismissal rejected where it was found that the claimant had live-streamed a video containing sectarian chanting.3. Devine-Gallagher v Lidl (NI) Limited [2023] NIIT 23572/21A case in which capability was a fair reason for the dismissal of an employee who had been off sick for a long period of time.

Julie Holmes discusses your employment-related questions with Seamus McGranaghan from the employment team at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors.As schools close their doors for the summer break, employers face a unique set of challenges. Seamus tackles hot topics such as the ongoing tug of war between employers and employees about returning to the office, navigating childcare obligations, supporting working parents, and finding the perfect balance between professional dress codes and staying cool during scorching weather.Seamus answers your questions, including:What impact would a return to the office mean for working parents?What can employers do to help their employees with the cost of living dilemma of working from home with increased energy costs or increased childcare costs if they return to the office?How does childcare support differ in NI from GB where new incentives have been announced?What considerations should employers be aware of during hot weather such as maximum temperatures?Tips on dealing with appropriate work attire when the mercury risesHow do you handle employees who call in sick when holiday leave isn’t granted?For read the recent Irish News article written by Seamus on the topic of childcare, please click here: https://www.irishnews.com/business/2023/06/20/news/childcare_implications_on_employees_if_office_working_becomes_the_default-3347116/Please note that the employment law matters discussed in this webinar apply primarily to Northern Ireland.

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?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.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.