Employment Law Seminars - All Events
Events
All About Absence from Work
Cost: | See Below |
Location: | Belfast |
Start Date: | 19 June 2012 |
End Date: | 19 June 2012 |
Event Email Reminder
Full Day
We have brought together two occupational health medical experts, one a psychotherapist dealing in trauma and other serious mental health issues, the other an OH practitioner renowned for focusing on what employers can do in order to get employees back to work as quickly as possible. Together with our OH experts, we’ve got some of the top employment law firms in Northern Ireland and other specialists to bring you a comprehensive event on dealing with mental health issues and other absences at work.
Description
Why attend this event?
According to CIPD research, 26% of all employees report they have experienced mental health problems while in employment, yet just 41% of all workers would feel confident telling their employer if they had a problem. (People Management, March 2012)
Stress in the workplace is to rise, say 8 out of 10 in a major pan-European opinion poll. Job-related stress is a concern for the large majority of the European workforce. (EU-OSHA’s 2nd European Opinion Poll on Occupational Safety and Health, March 2012)
If you are lucky enough to have employment in this uncertain economy you are probably working harder than you can remember. Unacceptable stress levels could be around the corner for you and your colleagues. Employers must face up to the challenges of stress and mental health issues at work, as well as rising absence levels, if they are to avoid burgeoning costs.
What will I get out of it – what are the learning outcomes?
You will:
- Receive practical advice on risk management, and interact with medical experts who handle mental ill health and stress issues in the workplace
- Discover how to integrate return to work interviews into management of absence policies and ask the right questions of returning employees
- Find out the latest innovations in controlling workplace absence
- Focus on what rights employers have to vary terms of employment for absent and returning employees
- Understand working time and absence-related developments
- Take away detailed notes and practical handouts for later reference
- Question our experts on absence and health issues that matter to you
| 9.30am | Risk Management Practices All work is to a greater or lesser extent dangerous, whether the biggest risk is to physical or mental well-being. Fiona Cassidy, Senior Partner, Jones Cassidy Jones, considers how all employers can learn valuable lessons from some of our largest employers in the field of risk management to minimise potential industrial injury and negligence claims, particularly in relation to stress at work. |
| 10.10am | It’s Never Too Late – The Management and Treatment of Enduring Mental Health Problems in Employees Dr Alastair Black, Consultant Psychotherapist at Futures NI explores a ‘jargon free’ working definition of Mental Illness for employers and discusses when does stress and other short term psychological issues cross the line into chronic long term problems. Through a case study, the warning signs and symptoms of this development will be considered along with the ‘ripple effect’ that long term mental ill health has on individual employees. Particular focus will be placed on the obstacles these problems create for individuals and employers in returning to work. Crucially the difference between an Employee Assistance Programme and a Psychological treatment service will be outlined along with what employers can expect from NICE Guidelines Evidenced Based treatment and what part they have to play in this process. |
| 10.50am | Q&A |
| 11am | Refreshments & Networking |
| 11.30am | Interacting with Medical Experts 1 – A Lawyer’s Advice Objective, independent assessments are vital in ill-health dismissal cases. What is an effective “evidence based” approach? Are there any other key absence management procedures employers should be adopting as a “best practice” approach? How might you best handle grievances if the employee is off sick with work-related stress? Kiera Lee, Partner, Mills Selig, provides practical advice to assist employers when dealing with medical experts. |
| 12.10pm | Interacting with Medical Experts 2 – An OH Opinion on Handling Stress and Conflict Stress, bullying, harassment, conflict – all of these lead to problems with absent employees. How can OH help employers before issues become severe mental health problems? What information will OH need from employers, employees and other professionals? How might OH help with reasonable accommodation issues? How might OH help employers query medical certificates, demand more information or greater clarity? Dr Philip McCrea, MD, OH Consultants, answers your questions. |
| 12.50pm | Q&A |
| 1pm | Lunch & Networking |
| 1.50pm | How to Conduct an Effective Return to Work Interview: from Planning to Recording Studies have shown that few practices lower absenteeism rates as much as return to work interviews. However, managers need to be trained in their use and the questions asked must be the right ones if employers are to spot trends or dangers, such as stress or bullying, lurking behind short term absences. Just as importantly, the interview can be used as a way to engage with the employee. Using a template form and role play, expert trainer Michele Groves, Director, Charis Consultancy Services, takes you through best practice, from planning to recording and agreeing action. |
| 2.30pm |
Current Absenteeism Reduction Policies Will "Never" Work!
Replace costs with savings that go straight to the bottom line! |
| 3.10pm | Refreshments & Networking |
| 3.20pm | The Return of Long-Term Absentees Can employers impose any conditions and successfully manage the return of long-term absentees? Is the position different for secondees or those returning from sabbaticals or maternity leave? Do special considerations apply to employees returning after periods of mental ill-health? How might an employer handle these situations and more? Maxine Orr, Partner, Worthingtons, provides best practice advice and case law analysis. |
| 4pm | The Working Time Regulations and Absence-Related Issues Do employees accrue holiday entitlement whilst absent for all reasons? Can employers set conditions to limit carry-over of leave? What does UK and European case law tell us about how working time rules have developed in the last 15 years? Sharon McArdle, solicitor, Tughans, provides practical advice on all your questions. |
| 4.30pm | Close |
Who should attend?
This event is ideal for HR professionals, employment lawyers, trade union officials and others concerned with absence and ill health matters in the workplace, particularly those concerned with mental illness health issues at work.
Duration ~ Date ~ Location
Full Day Legal Conference: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Tuesday 19th June 2012
Hilton Hotel, Lanyon Place, Belfast
Cost
Standard Rate: £450 + VAT
Standard Early Bird Rate: £375 + VAT (if booked before Friday 19th May)
Charity/SME Rate: £345 + VAT
Charity/SME Early Bird Rate: £295 + VAT (if booked before Friday 19th May)
Save an additional £20 if you book and pay online!
All organisations with fewer than 50 employees or registered charities (registered at the time of booking) qualify for the Charity/SME Rate.
How to Book
Book & Pay Online: Each event page has a link to the booking form at the top. Just fill in the form and click 'Continue'. You can pay by credit card and your details will be sent to us. Confirmation of your booking will be sent to you by email.
Reserve Online & Pay by Invoice: Alternatively, if you require an invoice before paying you can reserve a place online.
For all multiple credit card bookings please telephone Legal-Island on 028 9446 3888.
Speakers
Fiona Cassidy - Partner,Jones Cassidy Jones
Dr Alastair Black - Consultant Psychotherapist, Futures NI
Kiera Lee - Partner, Mills Selig
Dr Philip McCrea - MD, OH Consultants
Michele Groves - Director, Charis Consultancy Services
Andrew Ferguson - CEO, Softworks
Maxine Orr - Partner, Worthingtons
Sharon McArdle - Solicitor, Tughans
