Employment Talk

Irwin Mitchell

Do you want to keep up-to-date with the latest employment law news? Tune in to our fortnightly employment podcast where our experts will help you keep your finger on the pulse.

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50 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes50

Newest first

Thursday · 25 min
The future of holiday pay enforcement: is your business ready?
In this episode of Employment Talk, our hosts examine the government's plans to introduce state enforcement of holiday pay and what this could mean for employers. With the Fair Work Agency expected to gain powers to investigate holiday pay compliance, recover underpayments and impose financial penalties, holiday pay disputes may no longer depend solely on individual workers bringing tribunal claims. The proposals mark a significant shift in how holiday pay rights are enforced and increase the importance of getting calculations right. Listen to the podcast for a practical overview of the proposed changes, the risks employers should be aware of, and the steps you can take now to review holiday pay arrangements before the new enforcement regime comes into force.
June 30 · 23 min
Enhanced dismissal protections for parents and carers
In this episode of Employment Talk, our hosts explore the latest developments under the Employment Rights Act 2025 affecting working parents and carers, and what they could mean for employers in practice. With proposals including a new, wider right to bereavement leave, potential reforms to carer’s leave, and significantly strengthened protections against dismissal for pregnant employees and those returning from family leave, the direction of travel is clear – but many of the details are still to come. Listen to the podcast for a practical overview of what’s changing, the key risks employers should be aware of, and how you can start preparing now ahead of reforms expected from 2027.
May 25 · 31 min
Trade Union access agreements: what employers need to know (and do now)
In this episode of Employment Talk, our hosts unpack a major change many employers may have missed: the new trade union right of access under the Employment Rights Act 2025. Scheduled to come into force in October 2026, it allows independent trade unions to seek a statutory access agreement so they can meet workers to recruit members, provide representation and support, and facilitate collective bargaining – even where a union isn’t recognised. Listen to the podcast to get the practical steps that employers should take now to stay in control of what “reasonable access” looks like in their organisation.
April 16 · 20 min
Holiday pay rules: key changes employers can’t afford to ignore
Holiday pay rules are changing – and getting them wrong can be costly. In this episode, our employment law experts unpack the latest reforms, explain what’s changed, and outline the risks employers can’t afford to ignore. We cover record‑keeping, pay calculations, and what employers need to do now to stay compliant.
March 24 · 26 min
April’s Employment Rights Act changes that you simply can’t ignore
April’s Employment Rights Act changes are almost here. In this episode, our hosts explain day-one Statutory Sick Pay, sexual harassment disclosures under whistleblowing law, and what the Fair Work Agency could mean for employers. Listen now to get ahead of the changes you need to know about.
February 19 · 19 min
Another important Employment Bill update and the latest HR issues
We're back for 2026! In this episode of Employment Talk, our hosts break down the biggest shake‑up to employment law in years, as the new Employment Rights Act finally comes into force. They explore what the shift to a six‑month qualifying period really means for employers, why probationary periods now matter more than ever, and the surprise removal of the cap on unfair dismissal compensation.
Oct 23, 2025 · 32 min
How is AI really being used in the workplace? The use and misuse by employees
In this episode of Employment Talk, our hosts dive into the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence at work, exploring the real-life challenges employers face when staff use AI in sometimes problematic ways. From queries returning factually incorrect information to its impact on litigation claims and the risk of confidential data leaks, the episode uses practical examples and legal insights to bring HR professionals up to speed with this sweeping development.
Sep 30, 2025 · 36 min
Neurodiversity in the workplace and the importance of getting it right
According to our research, there’s been a 750% increase in ADHD-related employment claims since 2020. This latest episode of Employment Talk delves into a topic that’s increasingly important for employers and employees alike: neurodiversity in the workplace. Join our experts as they clarify what’s meant by “neurodiversity” in the workplace, consider the conditions that fall under the autistic umbrella, and discuss real-life examples that have ended up before tribunals.
Aug 21, 2025 · 22 min
The Employment Rights Bill unpacked: what it means for trade unions and industrial action
This latest episode of Employment Talk delves back into the upcoming Employment Rights Bill to focus on what it means for trade unions and industrial relations in the UK. From union access rights and digital ballots to the evolving role of representation in the workplace, our hosts explore what's being repealed, what's being introduced, what's still up for debate, and the challenges employers and those working in HR are likely to face.
Jul 17, 2025 · 24 min
NDAs, harassment and the Employment Bill: what’s changing and why it matters
In this episode of Employment Talk, our hosts unpack the government’s proposed ban on NDAs in workplace harassment and discrimination cases. What is an NDA in the context of employment law? What exactly is changing? And will this empower victims or make it harder to settle claims? Listen as we answer those questions.
Jun 26, 2025 · 29 min
Third-party harassment: is the government really going to impose a banter ban?
In this episode of Employment Talk, our hosts delve into the government’s proposal to reintroduce employer liability for third-party harassment in the workplace. With headlines warning of a so-called “banter ban,” Jo and Elaine cut through the noise to explain what the new legal duties actually mean for employers. They explore the background to third-party harassment laws, look at what the proposed changes to the Equality Act involve, and outline how employers can prepare, especially in high-risk sectors like hospitality and retail.
May 29, 2025 · 26 min
What does sex mean in the Equality Act?
In this episode of Employment Talk, experts Jo Moseley and Elaine Huttley delve into the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on the definition of “sex” under the Equality Act 2010 and what it means for employers. They sensitively unpack the legal distinction between biological and legal sex as determined by the ruling, explore the implications for recruitment, workplace facilities, and positive action, and bust common myths circulating in the wake of the judgment. Whether you're revisiting your policies or navigating complex inclusion challenges, this episode offers essential insights and practical guidance for HR professionals.
Mar 20, 2025 · 29 min
The latest updates on the Employment Rights Bill and a look at injury to feelings awards
The government has tabled a number of amendments to the Employment Rights Bill since our last podcast. These will affect collective redundancies and Statutory Sick Pay, and introduce the Fair Work Agency to help employees enforce their rights. Our podcast outlines the changes you need to be aware of. The second part of this month’s episode looks at injury to feelings awards. What are they? How does a tribunal assess how much to award? Does a claimant need medical evidence to support their claims? We answer these questions, and more.
Feb 20, 2025 · 28 min
The Employment Bill: the ban on zero-hours contracts – part 2
News stories have circulated suggesting the PM is under pressure to “tear up” the new Employment Bill. That's unlikely to happen, but we may see some changes, further consultations, and secondary legislation. Our latest podcast provides an update on these changes, and looks into the three new rights created by that Bill that will affect workers on low-hours or zero-hours contracts.
Jan 15, 2025 · 20 min
The Employment Bill - What do we know about zero-hour contracts?
What does the new Employment Bill tell us about zero-hour contracts? In our latest podcast, our experts discuss the so-called ban on zero-hour contracts, the new rights for zero-hour workers and the right to be guaranteed hours. Listen now.
Nov 26, 2024 · 17 min
The Employment Bill - A focus on other dismissals
What are the changes to dismissals under the new Employment Rights Bill? From proposed changes to collective redundancy, to fire and re-hire, our experts discuss the outlook for dismissals following October’s Employment Rights Bill.
Oct 21, 2024 · 23 min
The Employment Bill – Unfair Dismissal
The Labour government presented their much-anticipated Employment Bill on Thursday 10 October, bringing lots of changes in the future of employment law. In particularly, unfair dismissal. Our experts, Elaine Huttley and Joanna Moseley, explore the details from when employees can bring an unfair dismissal claim, length of probationary periods, when the changes are expected to come into force, and more.
Aug 15, 2024 · 32 min
Criminal allegations, convictions and unfair dismissal
There’s been a lot of talk in the press recently about what an employer can legally do to terminate an employee’s contract of employment where they have been charged with, or have pleaded guilty to, a criminal offence. This has come to the fore following the UK riots, with the PM saying that the perpetrators will feel the "full force of the law." In this episode, Joanne Moseley and Elaine Huttley discuss what employers should consider if they have a staff member who has been charged with a criminal offence, avoiding unfair dismissal claims, frustrated contracts, and more.
Jul 18, 2024 · 28 min
The new duty to prevent sexual harassment
Are you aware of the new duty that employers have to prevent their staff from sexual harassment in the workplace? On 26 October, the new duty comes into force which requires employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassments and any who are in breach of duty may have to pay additional compensation of up to 25%. Our latest employment podcast covers the new draft guidance, what reasonable steps must be taken, what powers the Equality and Human Rights commission have, and more.
Jun 20, 2024 · 33 min
Changing terms and conditions: Do you know your rights?
Do you know your rights when faced with changing terms and conditions? Last year the government launched a new statutory code of practice which stated it was going to raise compensation by up to 25%. However, following the suspension of Parliament in the lead up to the General Election this hasn’t been put in place. In our latest employment podcast, our experts discuss why business change their terms and conditions, how an employer should implement this, how the next government can impact this, and more.