Sessions
Preparing for the Employment Rights Act
The Employment Rights Act is set to deliver the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in decades. In this interactive case study, we’ll put common processes, policies, and risk areas to the test against the new rules. From employment offers and contracts to performance and sickness management, what will the new normal look like?
Speakers:
Colin Leckey
Partner
Lewis Silkin
Georgena Clarke
Director of Employment EMEA
Sony Playstation
James Walters
Partner
Lewis Silkin
Sally Hulston
Partner
Lewis Silkin
Navigating a respectful workplace culture
Businesses are facing challenges in a modern work environment which is increasingly multi-generational and diverse. Employees are more aware of their rights and seeking to hold employers accountable for their actions and the actions of other employees/third parties. Using a case study, we will share practical solutions and explore some of the issues that we are seeing employers grapple with including sexual harassment (a year on from the introduction of the preventative duty), neurodiversity, divergence in socio-political views and speak up culture.
Speakers:
Bryn Doyle
Partner
Lewis Silkin
Lucy Hendley
Head of Client Training
Lewis Silkin
Shalina Crossley
Partner
Lewis Silkin
A new dawn for unions
Unions are on the front foot. In this new dawn, new rights to workplace access, streamlined recognition routes and a more union‑friendly political and legal climate are reshaping the landscape. We'll explore what this means in practice: when unions may seek to contact or meet your workforce, how recognition bids are likely to play out, and the practical steps employers can take to stay compliant and maintain constructive employee relations.
Speakers:
Carly Mather
Partner
Lewis Silkin
Mustafa Faruqi
Employee Relations Strategy Director
BT Group
Sean Dempsey
Partner
Lewis Silkin
William Brown
Senior Associate
Lewis Silkin
Preparing for increased contingent workforce red tape
The red tape and costs associated with a contingent workforce will be increasing throughout 2026 and beyond. We’ll be discussing the complex new requirements under the Employment Rights Bill. The Bill also introduces significant reforms to the regulation of umbrella companies and new responsibilities for payroll tax compliance bite in April 2026. We’ll also be looking at the government’s plans to make right to work checks compulsory for wider working arrangements with the associated civil and criminal sanctions for non compliance applicable.
Speakers:
Lucy Lewis
Partner and Chair
Lewis Silkin
Phil Swinburn
Legal Director
Lewis Silkin
Rose Carey
Partner
Lewis Silkin
The inside job: tackling insider threats and AI-driven data risks
Technical defences alone won’t stop misuse, error or rogue insiders. From careless clicks to malicious insiders, employees remain the most likely source of data compromise. We unpack how everyday access rights and behaviours, including misuse of AI systems, become high impact breaches/risk incidents, and what “appropriate” security measures really mean in practice. Expect clear guidance on what good governance means, risk assessment, when and how to notify data regulators (around the world) and data subjects, and how to close incidents well to reduce repeat risk.
Speakers:
Alexander Milner-Smith
Partner
Lewis Silkin
Bryony Long
Partner
Lewis Silkin
AI in litigation: a sword and shield
AI is transforming employment disputes - both in work and in the tribunal. Employers face a surge of lengthy AI-generated grievances, citing dubious case and statutory references, while litigants in person can now use AI to draft claims or polish witness statements. How should employers navigate this new landscape? Will AI ease or strain an already overstretched Employment Tribunal system? And how can the same technology be deployed to defend claims? This plenary explores these shifts and their practical impact.
Speakers:
Carla Watling
Partner
Lewis Silkin
Tarun Tawakley
Partner
Lewis Silkin