Swindon & Wiltshire News
Legal expert to advise Wiltshire businesses on the changing employment landscape
Bosses in Wiltshire will have the chance to quiz a leading employment lawyer about recent and imminent changes in employment legislation at a business networking event in Swindon next month.
Kerrie Hunt, partner and head of employment at leading commercial law firm Thrings, will update delegates on a range of key employment law issues, including flexible working and the new shared parental leave.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to learn more about the impact of the recent changes to the unfair dismissal regime and the introduction of settlement agreements and pre-termination negotiations.
Meanwhile, another subject likely to be debated is fees for employment tribunal for employees, which following pressure from businesses, were introduced by the Government last July. According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of employees bringing cases is down 70 per cent compared to the same period last year.
The networking event, which takes place at the De Vere Hotel on Thursday, October 2, is the initiative of hosts Bespoke Training Services, which creates and provides businesses with management development, executive coaching and training solutions.
Managing director Anne Messer’s aim is to bring together the local business community in a social setting where they can network, debate the issues affecting them and simply by buying a ticket to attend the event, raise money for a local charity.
Kerrie said: “In recent years, the Government has introduced a range of employment law-related measures designed to reduce the burden on businesses.
“What has been interesting has been the scale of the changes, from the extension of the right to request flexible working and the introduction of shared parental leave next April to early conciliation on the one hand and penalties for employers who lose tribunal claims on the other.
“While employment law moves at a rapid pace, businesses have a duty to ensure they keep up to date with the changes so that they meet their legal responsibilities. Reviewing the recent reforms and assessing their impact will also enable them to decide whether they are changing the legal landscape for the better.”
Anne added: “Bespoke Training Services is delighted to be hosting this event, and my team and I are very excited to hear Kerrie speak and to have this opportunity to meet our local business community.”
For more information about the networking event, call 01793 831029 or visit www.bespoketrainingservices.co.uk
