Top 5 for Busy People: 

1. Telltale signs of an AI assisted grievance - do you know what they are? 🔍
2. 1 in 5 employees has shared work login details or passwords outside your organisation 🤐🔐
3. £14k award for harassment by jokey GIF 💰
4. Hub: What is the Industrial Court of Northern Ireland? 🤔
5. Third of employees not given goals or reviews by managers, survey finds 🎯

In other news................our Annual Review of Employment Law is back, turning all those headline grabbing legal changes into plain English before they turn up uninvited in your inbox, with top legal minds and sharp HR insight in Belfast or online on 5th November 2026. First sessions are now live ⚖️

1. Case Law Reviews
2. AI and Employment Law
3. Domestic abuse Safe Leave to be delivered within current mandate
4. Sending a GIF to a colleague can constitute harassment – and cost thousands
5. Shortcuts create new cyber exposures
6. UK workers eye new jobs as confidence weakens
7. NHS sets first-ever staff standards to tackle racism and violence
8. Just in Case You Missed It...
9. HR Developments
10. Health & Safety Developments
11. Employment News in the Media
12. GB Developments
13. Free Webinars This Month

Burger v Risk Solutions BG Ltd [2026] EWCA Civ 804 

Summary Description: Court of Appeal explored the process of examining vicarious liability when issues of independent contractor and arguments of ‘akin to employment’ are raised.  

Claimant: Stephanus Bernardus Burger 

Respondent: Risk Solutions BG Ltd; JD Wetherspoon Plc

Practical Guidance for Employers:

Vicarious liability has expanded greatly in an iterative way through the cases. However, this case demonstrates a situation in which vicarious liability does not extend. The process, as outlined by the Court of Appeal, is interesting in that one must consider whether the tortfeasor is an independent contractor and if they are then the issue of ‘akin to employment’ does not need to be explored.

Read the Review in full: Burger v Risk Solutions BG Ltd [2026]

BG v Ministero della Difesa [2026] EU Case C-498/26 

Summary Description: Preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice based upon application of Equal Treatment Directive regarding the steps taken by Member States in response to the pandemic.  

Claimant: BG

Respondent: Ministero della Difesa 

Practical Guidance for Employers:

This case came back round to the EU Court of Justice to provide a preliminary ruling on issues relating to coronavirus and the mechanisms put in place by Member States. As matter of the Equal Treatment Directive the court made it clear here that there was a distinction between belief and opinion and the latter would not be protected within the space of EU Law. To this end, the views on vaccinations could not receive protection and the indirect discrimination claim failed. Additionally, the attempt to widen the categories of protected characteristic to include professional category also failed with the court making it clear that the categories are exhaustive.  

Read the Review in full: BG v Ministero della Difesa [2026]

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These case reviews were written by Jason Elliott BL.  NI Tribunal decisions are available on the OITFET website.

If you have any queries or wish to comment on the reports please feel free to contact Jason at: jasondelliott@outlook.com 

Jason Elliott was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2013 and is the Associate Head of School of Law at Ulster University. As a practising barrister, he has developed a largely civil practice representing individuals, companies and public bodies in litigation.  This covers a wide range of areas including personal injuries, wills and employment law. In terms of employment law, he has represented both applicants and respondents in the Industrial Tribunal.   At Ulster University, Jason lectures extensively on the civil areas of practise such as Equity and Trusts and delivers employment law lectures for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Remember: Our case law reviews are held in our case law section on our fully-searchable employment law hub website.

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Mid-Year AI reality check: Which HR pilots are actually delivering value?

AI has moved beyond the pilot phase, but many organisations are still struggling to translate individual productivity gains into business performance. Drawing on recent research from Microsoft, Gallup, Gartner and Deloitte, this analysis explores which HR AI use cases are delivering measurable value, why some initiatives fail to scale and the questions organisations should be asking as they evaluate AI investments at the midpoint of 2026. HRD Connect has more here.

The rise of the machines - dealing with AI grievances

This article from Squire Patton Boggs looks at the issue of AI grievances, full of legal and case references, some of them genuine, but despite their length, often lacking specifics of what the employee is complaining about and what they want you to do about it. David Whincup offers three principal tips for employers trying to work out whether they are dealing with the real thing or not. Read here.

AI for HR Weekly Podcast with Barry Phillips 🎙️

This week's episode:

Hub subscribers are beginning to request that our Chairman, Barry covers a particular AI topic in a future podcast. If you have a request, send it to him directly at barry@legal-island.com - he’ll feel like a DJ from the 80s…...🎧

You can tune into the latest episode right here - or, if you’re on the move, why not take us with you?

Listen on all major platforms: 🎧 Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Simply search for “AI for HR Weekly Podcast” and enjoy expert insights anytime, anywhere.

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Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has reaffirmed her commitment to introducing paid safe leave for victims of domestic abuse before the end of the current Assembly mandate. The entitlement, which will provide 10 days' paid leave each leave year for workers experiencing domestic abuse, is intended to help victims access support services, attend appointments and take steps to secure their safety. More here.

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Workers can be liable for harassment simply by sending a GIF to a colleague, a new ruling has confirmed. An employment judge has determined that these short, animated images, widely used on messaging apps, can “intimidate”, “humiliate”, and even “degrade” an individual. Sending an unwanted GIF can amount to harassment under UK employment law. The precedent was set after a female security guard, Georgiana Ursuleanu, won almost £14,000 in a harassment case. More on this story from the Independent. 

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One in five employees have shared work login details or passwords with someone outside their organisation, amid new fears that human error remains the biggest cyber risk to business. Research by broker Gallagher, has raised new concerns that everyday shortcuts in the workplace could be making businesses more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This could include sharing passwords with family or friends to allow them to use devices or sharing logins for social media accounts, client portals, subscriptions and admin systems with freelancers, suppliers, agencies and IT providers. More from Emerging Risks here.

Building an online enforcement toolbox against cyber threats

Phishing campaigns, brand impersonation, rogue websites, counterfeit marketplaces, and email-based fraud continue to proliferate as threat actors adopt increasingly sophisticated tactics, including the use of artificial intelligence to create convincing scams at scale. While these threats are not new, the speed, volume, and complexity of online abuse have changed the calculus for companies seeking to protect their customers, brands, and digital assets. This article from Morgan Lewis outlines a practical enforcement toolbox that companies can use to investigate online threats, identify appropriate remedies, and better protect their brands in an increasingly complex digital environment.

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According to Morgan McKinley’s latest Global Workplace Trends Report, 59 per cent of UK employees expect to look for a new role within the next six months, well above the global average of 49 per cent. Just 22 per cent said they felt secure in their current job, compared with 30 per cent globally. The findings point to a widening gap between employer expectations and employee sentiment. While almost two-thirds of employers globally said they had no plans to reduce headcount in 2026, only 43 per cent of employees described themselves as secure or very secure in their role. More from PM Today

And…

What are people getting wrong about the modern-day job hunt?

Job searching has never been more accessible – or more confusing. Platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed and employer career pages let candidates submit applications with just a few clicks. What happens after they click ‘submit’, however, has become fertile ground for misinformation. Leda Stawnychko of Mount Royal University and Mehnaz Rafi of the University of Calgary discuss what is true and false about searching for a job in 2026  in this article from Silicon Republic.

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New NHS staff standards will make employers accountable for tackling racism, violence and sexual harassment, with results published in league tables. NHS employers will be formally accountable for how they treat their workforce on key issues for the first time under landmark NHS staff standards that will measure performance on tackling racism, violence and improving sexual safety measured in public league tables. The full press release is here.

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The Employment Law Hub is a comprehensive, jurisdiction-specific resource designed for HR professionals, legal advisors, and business leaders. It centralises essential employment law and HR updates, expertly curated and written by leading HR and legal specialists to provide reliable, practical, and authoritative insights. We have over 700+ in depth articles and 1000+ case law reviews. As a subscriber, you have access to all of this. Check it out the full Hub here and below are some recent articles you may have missed.....

What is the Industrial Court of Northern Ireland?

Hidden in plain sight, the Industrial Court of Northern Ireland has been influencing workplace relations for over 100 years. Sarah Havlin, Chairman of The Industrial Court of Northern Ireland, reveals the Court's rich history, explains how it differs from the Industrial Tribunals, and explores its growing significance in today's employment landscape. Read here.

What support would you suggest giving to the alleged perpetrator of bullying/harassment and to the active bystander who reported it?

Bullying and harassment investigations can be isolating for everyone involved. Providing appropriate support while maintaining a fair and impartial process is essential for both employee wellbeing and organisational protection. Read more from Seamus McGranaghan, Director – Commercial, Education, Employment & Licensing, O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors.

How often would you suggest training your staff in the Dignity at Work Policy?

Keeping a Dignity at Work policy on the shelf isn't enough. Regular training and timely policy reviews help ensure your organisation stays compliant, informed and prepared for legislative change. Access the full article here.

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Third of employees not given goals or reviews by managers, survey finds

Workers are missing core support as organisations increasingly expect line managers to lead on people responsibilities. Two in five (38 per cent) employees said their manager did not regularly set targets, while a similar proportion (34 per cent) said their progression was not regularly reviewed, according to a survey of 2,003 UK employees by Reward Gateway Edenred. You can read more from People Management.

New study finds neurodivergent workers continue to face poorer workplace experiences despite employers' efforts to improve inclusion

Co-produced by Birkbeck School of Psychological Sciences and Neurodiversity in Business, the research highlights the need for more flexible and inclusive workplace practices. You can read more on this from Birkbeck, University of London.

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HSE takes ‘landmark’ enforcement against OH provider

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued its first-ever prohibition notice against an occupational health service provider, in what it has described as ‘landmark’ enforcement action. The move follows findings that “inadequate health surveillance” by the provider, which has not been named, was putting workers “at risk of serious and irreversible harm”. This enforcement sent “a clear signal” that substandard occupational health services would not be tolerated where they created real risks to workers’ health, the HSE added. More from Personnel Today.

DWP ‘able to move most Jobcentre appointments to digital or phone’ during heatwave

Despite hundreds of Jobcentres being closed, the Department for Work and Pensions used technology to fulfil “most face-to-face appointments” that would otherwise have been cancelled during the recent period of extreme heat. During a period commencing 24 June – during which temperatures peaked at more than 37°C – the DWP was forced to shutter Jobcentre locations for four consecutive days. Respective totals of 236, 219, 111, and seven locations were entirely closed on the days in question, while a further 21 sites operated with reduced hours. But, for citizens with scheduled engagements with the department, technology was largely able to ensure these went ahead as planned, according to employment minister Dame Diana Johnson. Public Technology explains.

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The BBC reports workers at one of Northern Ireland's leading building supplies firms have said they will continue a strike until agreement is reached on a new pay deal. About 40 staff at Haldane Fisher's Carnbane site, near Newry, County Down, have been on strike for five weeks. Unite the Union, who represent the striking workers, said it's the first industrial action at the company in more than 40 years.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has promised that it will undertake “a thorough and independent lessons-learned exercise” after the commissioner himself resigned following a probe into his workplace conduct. John Edwards departed his role on 19 June, having previously been absent for some weeks beforehand while an independent HR investigation took place. Announcing his resignation in a statement that acknowledged that his “position has become untenable”, the departing data watchdog said that he had “not agreed with how [this] investigation has been conducted… [but] accepted that there have been occasions where I exercised poor judgement and made attempts at humour that were inappropriate and caused offence”. More from Public Technology.

The BBC reports how a row has broken out in Germany after the coalition government announced changes to sick-leave rules, requiring Germans to provide a doctor's note to their employers on the first day of their illness. The changes also mean workers will not be able to obtain the note by phone, scrapping a measure brought in due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Read here.

A breastfeeding boss has been barred from a business course run by online retailer Amazon because it would not let her child on to the site. Rachael Bews said she had let Amazon know a week ahead of the in-person event at an Amazon warehouse in Dunfermline, Scotland, that she would need to take her 20-week-old baby with her as she was breastfeeding. However, she said she was told over the phone on the train to the event that children under six were not allowed on site. BBC reports on this.

Third Sector reports a community development charity unfairly dismissed an employee who raised concerns about its chief executive’s behaviour, a judge has ruled. An employment tribunal in Liverpool found in favour of Ms J Mayes, formerly of The Carrbridge Centre, which provides community support through educational, recreational and health-focused resources such as youth clubs on The Wirral, Merseyside. Mayes was employed as a community support worker from 2022 until her summary dismissal in September 2024. The claimant filed a tribunal claim the following month, in which she alleged unfair dismissal and detriments arising from whistleblowing disclosures.

A car dealership in Paignton unfairly and wrongfully dismissed an aftersales manager following a dispute with an aggressive customer who had harassed and abused his team members. In a case that highlights employers’ risks around third-party harassment, the employment tribunal awarded Mr Spinks £21,000 for unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal from Snows Motor Group. Personnel Today has more.

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NB: Please note these articles relate to GB and do not apply in Northern Ireland, unless otherwise stated.

The Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026

These Regulations amend seven statutory instruments to extend time limits for presenting complaints to the Employment Tribunal for specified matters from three months to six months. Read here.

The Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 2026

See here.

Annual report reveals exceptional demand for Acas

Workplace expert, Acas, has published its 2025 to 2026 annual report, which reveals strong demand over the past year for its individual dispute resolution service, workplace advice and training. Highlights include:

•    9 out of 10 cases handled by Acas were resolved
•    400 collective disputes between employers and groups of workers with a settlement rate of 93%
•    Acas helpline answered 584,000 calls from employers and workers across Great Britain

More here.

Employers should show “common sense” and let football fans work flexibly on Monday, TUC says

With hopes of bringing home the trophy now resting on every game, the stakes are incredibly high for the England as they fight for a chance to play in the quarter finals. While not all workers will be able to work flexibly, the TUC is urging bosses to show “common sense and understanding” and allow staff to work from home or come in later, where possible. Employers could also give employees option to make the time back later in the week after the game. Read more from TUC. 

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Employment Law at 11 - Real Cases, Real Lessons

If you didn't get to join Seamus McGranaghan, O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors & Christine Quinn, Legal Island in the latest Employment Law at 11 as they discussed NI caselaw - shoplifters, swearing and ChatGPT, don't worry - you can catch up here.

 
Seamus and Christine will return with Employment Law at 11 on Friday 7th August. Register here. 

Enjoy your long weekend!

Legal Island

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