Foxed? Practical insights into partnership & employment law

In this episode, Shiv Raja and Maree Cassaidy discuss

• What it means to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace
• How an individual may fall within the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010
• Example scenarios and how to tackle tricky issues
• How to approach mental health in this context
• The consequences of failing to make reasonable adjustments

They also share some top tips for employers in approaching these issues.

During this second podcast on the FCA’s proposals to improve diversity and inclusion in the financial services sector, Jackie Thomas and Shiv Raja discuss:

• how these proposals may inadvertently lead to positive discrimination in recruitment
• the difference between positive action and positive discrimination and how these issues could manifest using a practical example
• the regulator’s views on the interplay between the proposals and the Equality Act 2010
• broader strategies for tackling underrepresentation and the Equality Act’s general positive action provision

The first episode on the FCA consultation and its implications is still available here and on all the leading podcast platforms.

During this podcast, Jackie Thomas and Shiv Raja discuss:

• the background to the FCA’s consultation paper (‘CP23/20: Diversity and inclusion in the financial sector – working together to drive change’).
• the FCA’s main proposals.
• what the consultation says about non-financial misconduct.
• some practical examples with a view on the impact the proposed amendments to the FCA Handbook will have on individuals and firms.
• how firms operating in the financial sector can prepare for any changes.

In our latest podcast, our partner Ivor Adair is joined by Sara Ibrahim, a barrister from Gatehouse Chambers, who specialises in AI at work.  In an invaluable introduction to a complex topic, they examine the legal and practical implications of Chat GPT in the workplace and consider what you need to do if you are in a leadership role to embrace this technology.

Among the topics covered are:

• An introduction to Generative Pre-trained (GPT) artificial intelligence
• An overview of how it might be used in a workplace including for research, productivity enhancement and upskilling
• A review of the possible risks including liability risks caused by the lack of human oversight, problems with (in)accuracy, breach of confidence, breach of contract, breach of UK GDPR or even professional duties
• The importance for employers of focus on employee impact and of taking advice on possible equality and diversity implications and whether a data impact assessment is appropriate
• Recommendations to leadership teams on how to get started, including scoping a proper understanding of the implications of the technology and the scale and complexity of the task they are looking to augment

With the Government currently considering introducing mandatory mediation, last month Shoshana Bacall caught up with special guest Mediator Rachael Bicknell, founder of Squaring Circles, to discuss mediation in the second of two podcasts on the topic.

Join Shoshana and Rachael in part 2 of this podcast when they talk about:

• Non-compliance with settlements reached in mediations
• Importance of mindset
• Timing of mediation
• Using mediation to resolve workplace conflict
• The importance of management competence in conflict resolution

With the Government currently considering introducing mandatory mediation, last month Shoshana Bacall caught up with special guest Mediator Rachael Bicknell, founder of Squaring Circles, to discuss mediation in the first of two podcasts on the topic.

Join Shoshana and Rachael in this first podcast when they talk about:

• the cost of workplace disputes
• mediation as an alternative form of dispute resolution
• what mediation has to offer
• how best to prepare
• whether mediation is a sign of weakness.

Bullying and Executive Conflict: Leadership Pathways to Resilient Relationships – Part II

Our partner Ivor Adair and coach Graham Browning, former Magic Circle lawyer and a troubleshooter on people issues, are back in discussion in the second of our podcasts on the subject of bullying and executive conflict in the workplace.

In this episode, Ivor and Graham move on to discuss issues relating to bulling in a corporate environment versus in professional partnerships.  They cover practical tips for leadership teams and techniques for resolving issues in a hybrid working environment. 

Join our partner Ivor Adair and coach Graham Browning, former Magic Circle lawyer and a troubleshooter on people issues, for the first of two podcasts on the subject of bullying and executive conflict in the workplace.  

In this first episode, their free-ranging discussion covers the dynamics of bullying, common themes and early warning signs, as well as policies and legal issues.    

Join Catriona Watt and Shiv Raja for the second of two podcasts examining post termination non-compete clauses – a topic recently back on the radar as a result of Government consultation looking at their future.  Many employers continue to regard these types of provision as an important part of business protection in certain situations, but they are also often seen as a restraint on individual employees’ freedom.

In this second episode, Catriona and Shiv talk about:

• the practical and legal options for employers if a breach or potential breach of a non-compete clause is discovered
• the pros and cons of taking different courses of action
• practical steps an employer can take to protect its business
• the issue of  payment during a non-compete period

Join Catriona Watt and Shiv Raja for the first of two podcasts examining post termination non-compete clauses – a topic recently back on the radar as a result of Government consultation looking at their future. Many employers continue to regard these types of provision as an important part of business protection in certain situations, but they are also often seen  as a restraint on individual employees’ freedom.

In this first podcast, Catriona and Shiv talk about:

• why employers choose to include non-compete clauses in contracts
• key considerations when thinking about incorporating a non-compete clause into employment terms
• dispelling the common myth that non-compete clauses are not enforceable
• warnings signs that an employee has or is about to breach their contractual restrictions