5 Must-Knows This Week:

1. Minister Lyons launches consultation on new Disability & Work strategy ♿
2. “We’re like a family here” — the interview red flag you shouldn’t ignore 🚩
3. Job sharing’s in demand, but just 1 in 4 firms back it 🤝
4. NI RCN weighs up strike action ⚖️
5. Staff keep pasting company secrets into ChatGPT 🤖

In other news................Happy World Mental Health Day! This year's theme is Mental health in humanitarian emergencies. The WHO asks us to intensify our efforts to create a world where mental health is valued, protected, and accessible for all, especially in the face of adversity.

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1. Annual Review Session of the Week - Toxic Culture, Legal Consequences: HR’s Role in Breaking the Cycle
2. Case Law Reviews
3. AI and Employment Law
4. Recruitment
5. Disability in the Workplace
6. Industrial Action
7. Human trafficking: The hidden crime in plain sight
8. Just in Case You Missed It...
9. HR Developments
10. Employment News in the Media
11. GB Developments
12. Free Webinars This Month

Toxic Culture, Legal Consequences: HR’s Role in Breaking the Cycle

Toxic workplace cultures aren’t just bad for morale—they’re a legal risk. In this practical session, senior HR professionals will gain the legal insight to spot, address, and prevent cultural issues before they turn into costly claims. Learn when poor management becomes negligence, how to act when leaders are part of the problem, and what a legally sound approach to culture change really looks like.

It’s almost here! Legal Island’s Annual Review of Employment Law, our flagship event of the year takes place on 13th November, live at the Crowne Plaza Belfast (and online for those who prefer to tune in from afar).

This is the go-to event for HR professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve, get practical insights from leading experts, and connect with peers who are shaping the future of work.

Each week between now and the big day, we’ll shine a spotlight on the must-see sessions in this year’s packed programme.

Don’t miss out.  Check out the full line-up and secure your spot today. More details here.

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Walker v REACT [2025] NIIT 102/24

Summary Description: 

Claims dismissed as they were presented out of time.

Claimant: 

Robin Walker

Respondent: 

REACT

Practical Guidance for Employers:

Another case relating to time limits and demonstrating the importance of presenting claims within time.   The Tribunal did not accept the point that the claimant had no knowledge of the limits but went further and stated that if he did not have that knowledge then he could have adequately researched those points.  This was especially so as the claimant knew that the claim had crystallised on the date of dismissal rather than some illusion that the matters were continuing.

Read the Review in full: Walker v REACT [2025]

Walsh v HMRC [2025] NIIT 30432/23

Summary Description: 

Claimant not discriminated against or harassed when it related to the claimant’s hearing problems, yet she was off work due to stress at work.

Claimant: 

Deirdre Walsh

Respondent: 

HMRC

Practical Guidance for Employers:

The Tribunal provides some useful guidance when they cite ‘good practice’ when it comes to reasonable adjustments. They outline that there should be review of those adjustments recognising that the job and duties can change but so can the nature of the medical conditions. Therefore, the claimant’s suggestion that the lack of a permanent adjustment being formally recorded was a failure – that was rejected by the Tribunal.  This aspect can be a key takeaway for practice when it comes to reasonable adjustments and keeping them under review.

Read the Review in full: Walsh v HMRC [2025]

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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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Employees regularly paste company secrets into ChatGPT

With 45 percent of enterprise employees now using generative AI tools, 77 percent of these AI users have been copying and pasting data into their chatbot queries, a LayerX study says. A bit more than a fifth (22 percent) of these copy and paste operations include PII/PCI. More from The Register.

Worried your employees are doing this and feeling in the dark?

Boost your HR career with our Certified AI in HR Course, designed specifically for HR professionals eager to harness the power of artificial intelligence. This is currently the only CPD Certified Course in the UK and Ireland on AI for HR – level of knowledge required beginner to intermediate. Find out more.

Can AI break down ‘accent bias’ in the workplace?

Arto Minasyan believes that AI has the potential to deconstruct barriers and promote inclusivity. In an ideal world, the workplace would be an open, transparent and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds to share their insights, experiences and career aspirations. Many organisations do indeed foster a culture that holds those beliefs at their core, but many do not and prejudices based on social status, age, gender, religion and country of origin can quickly take root. Silicon Republic has more.

Whitehall department uses AI to draft reports

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has shone a light on its use of artificial intelligence – and revealed that drafting reports is one way it is seeking to harness the technology.  Newly appointed DCMS junior minister Ian Murray provided a breakdown of key areas of AI use in a recently published answer to a written parliamentary question from Reform MP Lee Anderson, who asked what purposes the culture department had used AI for in the past year. Public Technology has more on this.

And …

Managers use AI to draft or revise performance reviews 

A ZeroBounce survey found more than a quarter of employees (26%) suspect their performance review was generated by AI, with suspicions highest among younger workers and those in tech. Sixteen percent of employees who lost jobs believe the termination email they received was written by AI, and 20% said they cried when they read such an emotionless layoff message. You can read more on this story from Tech Radar.

AI for HR Weekly Podcast – with Barry Phillips

This week's episode: This week KPMG 2025 published their annual Global CEO Outlook report and its findings surprised a good many in HR

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🎧 Amazon Music 🎧 Apple Podcasts

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

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Why candidate power persists in a cooling labour market

Despite employer advantages, candidates are still dictating the terms of hiring. Personnel Today asks how HR leaders guide business leaders toward a deeper understanding of what candidates truly value in this article.

Job sharing is hugely popular, but only a quarter of companies support it

A survey of 100 senior finance professionals sought to provide insights into their opinions of job sharing, shedding light on its prevalence as well as the perceived benefits, risks and barriers to adoption. When considering the benefits that job sharing brings to a business, 67% of CFOs and FDs stated that it encourages collaborative decision making, with a further 58% agreeing that job sharing offers more opportunities for employment and attracts candidates who may not otherwise apply for a full-time role, reports HR Director.

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Consultation on Disability and Work strategy launched by Minister Lyons

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has outlined plans for a disability employment strategy which will see an additional 50,000 people join the workforce over the next ten years. The Disability and Work Strategy for Northern Ireland has been shaped and informed by those with lived experience of disability with input from over 100 partners across the disability and employment spheres. The Strategy proposes the establishment of a Disability and Work Council and includes four main themes which cover: personalised employment support; skills, careers and educational transitions; support for employers and enhanced engagement and reporting. You can read more here.

Employees with ADHD fail to receive workplace support

More than half of adults assessed for ADHD have reported difficulties in securing or maintaining employment, according to a neurodiversity specialist. The Owl Centre, which carries out autism and ADHD assessments, found 55% of adults who had been assessed faced barriers getting into work, while 80% said they had never received the adjustments they asked for. The most common workplace issues faced were being late, sensitivity to light and noise, distractions from colleagues, difficulties with planning and organisation, strong smells such as food, sitting for long periods or problems meeting deadlines. You can read more on this from Personnel Today.

Harness the full potential of your disabled staff by upskilling at our one-day event on Tuesday 14th October - Reasonable Adjustments in NI Workplaces: A Legal & Practical Guide - Find out more.

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NI RCN considers strike

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Northern Ireland is to begin the process of balloting members for strike action. The union said it is due to nursing staff continuing to be denied the pay award that's been given to colleagues in other parts of the UK. More from the BBC.

Frasers Group has warned Unite the Union against taking “reckless and irresponsible” industrial action

Unite has called on Frasers to raise warehouse pay to £12.60 an hour across the UK and £13.85 in London, up from the current £12.21 national minimum wage. The union has threatened to move towards strike action if the group refuses to meet those demands. In a strongly worded letter to Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, Sir Jonathan Thompson, chairman of Frasers Group, said he was “extremely saddened” by what he described as the union’s “inflammatory and confrontational” tactics. Business Matters has more on this story.

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The trafficking of people into modern slavery is not just a human tragedy – it is a governance and compliance failure. With 136,000 people estimated to be living in modern slavery in the UK alone, this insidious crime is often hiding in plain sight within the supply chains and workforces of legitimate industries and house-hold names. Former police officer Nick Dale urges employers to use their data to unearth criminal labour abuse before it is too late in this article from International Employment Lawyer.

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Employment Law at 11 - Sickness Absence

Cold and flu season is around the corner – are you ready? Catch up with our monthly Employment Law at 11 webinar to get practical guidance on managing sickness absence, including SSP, OSP, reporting obligations, and holiday entitlements. Stay compliant and support your team with confidence!

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If HR champions wellbeing, who looks after HR?

People teams are under greater pressure than ever thanks to fast-changing external forces and increasing expectations placed upon them by leaders and employees. But while HR is looking after everyone else, who is thinking about their wellbeing? More from Personnel Today.

Talent strategies for business expansion and growth

In order to thrive, organisations have to implement powerful talent strategies that pay attention to diversity, inclusion and flexibility. These tactics not only assist in the formation of new and innovative teams as well as resilient ones but also in ensuring that they are in line with the requirements that are unique to new markets. This article from HR Director explores old and new talent management models in determining how businesses can grow successfully.

Failure to prevent fraud: HR guidance for protecting employers  

The new offence of failure to prevent fraud carries the penalty of an unlimited fine for organisations within scope and the danger of significant reputational damage. Although the legislation applies to organisations with 250+ employees, small organisations are also likely to find that demonstrating compliance with these new standards becomes a requirement in procurement processes. This article from Personnel Today provides guidance on the key considerations HR professionals should bear in mind to ensure their organisations are protected.

‘We’re like a family here’: why this interview cliché could signal a toxic workplace

If you’ve ever sat in an interview and heard a hiring manager say, “We’re like one big family here,” you might have felt reassured. After all, what could be wrong with a close-knit, supportive workplace? However according to career experts, this phrase often carries a more troubling subtext — one that could point to overwork, blurred boundaries, and even a toxic culture. Business Matters has more.

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An engineering storeman sacked after saying “top of the morning to ya” in a mock Irish accent to a colleague has been awarded a five-figure sum after an employment tribunal deemed it to be an unfair dismissal. Karl Davies was working at a manufacturing site when he greeted a manager, Scott Millward, in the accent while listening to Irish music. The Independent has more on this story.

The BBC reports Harrods has set aside more than £60m in its plan to compensate alleged victims of historical abuse. More than 100 employees of the luxury department store are expected to claim up to £385,000 each via the redress scheme which is open until March 2026. The scheme, launched in March, provides to victims who claim they have suffered abuse by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, who died in 2023. Catch up here.

A Chilean office assistant who was mistakenly paid £127,000, over 300 times his monthly salary, quit his job days later and was taken to court for theft. After a three-year legal battle, a judge ruled the incident as "unauthorised collection" rather than theft, meaning the man cannot be prosecuted. Despite the ruling, the company remains intent on recovering the money. More from Joe UK.

A Brazilian bartender has won part of her harassment claim after an employment tribunal found she was subjected to offensive remarks about her accent. Ana Machado, who worked at Coyote Ugly Liverpool, told the tribunal that colleagues mocked her accent and treated her unfairly because of her nationality. While many of her allegations could not be proven, the tribunal accepted that she had been harassed both when a co-worker criticised her speech and when she was dismissed by assistant manager Rebecca Fitzsimmons. More from People Management.

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

David Lammy rules out charging workers for employment tribunal claims

The justice secretary, David Lammy, has ruled out reintroducing charges for employment tribunals after a backlash from unions over the proposals. Lammy, who is also deputy prime minister, said: “It’s a fundamental principle that everyone, no matter their income, should be able to get access to justice to challenge unfair behaviour at work.” You can read more from the Guardian.

Reeves urged to increase alcohol taxes to tackle workplace drinking

Pubs and restaurants up and down the country could be forced to serve up higher booze prices as Rachel Reeves has been urged to add fresh alcohol levies to her menu of tax rises at next month’s Budget. The Institute for Public Policy Research, a left-leaning think tank with close ties to the government, has called on the chancellor to hike taxes on alcohol, pinning the blame for the UK’s longstanding productivity woes on work-related drinking. The IPPR said young people felt pressured into drinking with colleagues to advance their career, while staff coming into the office with hangovers weren’t working as hard as their teetotal counterparts. City AM has more on this story.

First-year doctors in England vote to strike amid job security fears and row over pay

First-year doctors in England have voted in favour of strike action over unemployment and training place shortages.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said the ballot of first-year resident doctors saw 97% (or 3,950) vote for strike action, providing a "mandate for industrial action alongside the linked dispute over eroded pay", reports Sky News.

Collective redundancy - New online HR1 form mandatory in GB from 1 December 2025

Where a GB employer is proposing to make 20 or more redundancy dismissals within 90 days at a single establishment/site, the collective consultation rules will apply and the employer has a legal obligation to notify the Insolvency Service’s Redundancy Payments Service (RPS) using form HR1. Employers can voluntarily use this online HR1 form now, although its use will become mandatory from 1 December 2025. Hill Dickinson has more here.

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Employment Law at 11

📅 Friday 5th December 2025

🕒 11am to 11.45am

📍 Live online | Free to attend

Register here. 

Employment Law at 11 is taking a break in November, but will be LIVE and in-person at the Annual Review of Employment Law on 13th November 2025. Join Christine and Seamus in-person at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast, or from the comfort of your own home or office - the joys of a hybrid event! More details HERE.

Enjoy your weekend!

Legal Island

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