Employment Law Seminars - All Events

Introduction: Setting the scene and what to expect from the day

Scott Alexander, Head of Training and Development, Legal-Island

ECJ Case Law Review: The ECJ has had a huge impact and is the final appellate court for the bulk of equality issues in the workplace. We outline the most important European equality case law of the last 12 months and the lessons that employers and their representatives need to take on board.

Dr Tony McGleenan BL

Abolition of the Default Retirement Age – Employer Responses. The big equality changes this year were in the area of age discrimination and the abolition of the default retirement age, which is officially from 1 October 2011.

• What are the main contractual issues involved in the retention of employees over 65?
• What evidence will an employer need to justify a contractual retirement?
• What are the main pitfalls for employers? 
• What are the best options for dealing with older workers?
• How can you minimise the risks of age discrimination and other claims, whilst permitting an employer to plan for the future?

Joanne White, Partner, Jones Cassidy Jones

GB Case Law Review: A detailed look at the most important recent and pending cases from the GB Courts in relation to discrimination laws and their persuasive importance in Northern Ireland. The focus will be on cases that will most interest employment lawyers and HR professionals. Subjects covered include:

• Disability discrimination
• Statutory questionnaires
• Sex discrimination in redundancy selection criteria
• Victimisation 
• Equal pay

Rosemary Connolly, Principal, Rosemary Connolly Solicitors

Paternity Leave: Working fathers now have the right to take up the unused share of their partner’s maternity leave. We provide practical advice, template recording documents and answer key questions, such as:

• What are the implications for employers?  
• How can you obtain proof of a mother returning to work?
• How do you ensure a fair system?
• How does the system work in practice?

Gareth Walls, Partner, A&L Goodbody

Northern Ireland Case Law Review: We review the NI equality case law practitioners and HR professionals need to know about, including recent local cases on:

• Age discrimination in recruitment and the use of CVs,
• Religious and political discrimination,
• Disability,
• Victimisation,
• Witness statements, agency workers’ status and more.

Maxine Orr, Partner, Worthingtons

Minimising and Maximising Compensation in Equality Cases: It does not matter whether you represent employers or employees, are a claimant or respondent – there are various techniques and key arguments that can weaken your opposition’s case and impress a tribunal enough to reduce or increase awards.

Carol McClean, Solicitor Consultant, Directorate of Legal Services, Business Services Organisation

Whatever next? We highlight trends and likely developments in the employment equality field to expect in 2012 and beyond, including –

• Public to private sector developments,
• Good practice and hard law, plus prospects for law reform
• Agency workers and flexible working
• Implications of Equality Act 2010 in NI

Barry Fitzpatrick, Deputy Director, NICEM