Top 5 Must-Reads for the Time-Pressed:

1. Why HR & IT Are Joining Forces – The merger trend shaking up workplace power dynamics 💻
2. Beyond Words – How your accent can open (or close) career doors 🗣️
3. Claire’s in Crisis – UK & Ireland arm heads toward administration ⚠️
4. Don’t Wait – Take charge of your own skills & training now 🚀
5. AI Boom in NI – Economy set to double by 2028 📈

Check out our online "Implementing AI in the Workplace" event which will cut through the hype with expert legal, HR and tech insights, giving you practical, compliant steps to harness AI from recruitment to retention — all in one place, on one day. 🤖

**If you have any difficulties accessing the article or resetting your password (if you haven’t already done so in 2025) please email hub@legal-island.com and we’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible.**

1. Case Law Reviews
2. AI and Employment Law
3. River Island to close 33 stores across UK after major restructuring plan
4. CIPD: Labour Market Outlook – Summer 2025
5. NI Apprenticeship Action Plan
6. NI Labour Market Statistics – August 2025
7. Just in Case You Missed It...
8. HR Developments
9. Health and Safety Developments
10. Employment News in the Media
11. GB Developments
12. Free Webinars Coming up

Conway v JMC Packaging Ltd [2025] NIIT 16159/24

Summary Description: 

Claimant was constructively dismissed when the Senior Management Team was told that the company and the claimant had ‘parted ways’.

Claimant: 

Rosaleen Conway

Respondent: 

JMC Packaging Ltd

Practical Guidance for Employers:

This case demonstrates the importance of clear communication when it comes to resignations and to making decisions to dismiss.  The fact that the Managing Director had said that they had parted ways led the Tribunal to determine that there had been a repudiatory breach of contract and that the claimant had been constructively dismissed.  This put the respondent in a very difficult situation in terms of being able to defend against the claim for unfair dismissal.  As a result, it led to a finding against them and a hefty sum of compensation considering the level of employment the claimant was in.

Read the Review in full: Conway v JMC Packaging Ltd [2025]

Corrigan v First Choice Recruitment & Western Health and Social Care Trust [2025] NIIT 15346/19

Summary Description: 

Reconsideration application refused on the basis that the arguments were such that they should go to an appeal rather than reconsideration.

Claimant: 

Joan Corrigan

Respondents: 

First Choice Recruitment Ltd
Western Health and Social Care Trust

Practical Guidance for Employers:

The Tribunal provides some guidance on the use of reconsideration and how it does not operate as an internal appeals mechanism within the Industrial Tribunal.  It is clear that it can only be used where there are reasonable prospects for the judgment to be varied or revoked where it would be based upon some fundamental error or some point that had not been considered at all.  It is not to re-litigate matters that had already been decided upon following an examination of the evidence.  Additionally, new evidence is only new where it was not available at the time of the Tribunal – the evidence noted was available but the claimant did not make it available.

Read the Review in full: Corrigan v First Choice Recruitment & Western Health and Social Care Trust [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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Balancing risk and reality: using AI at work

AI in the workplace can no longer be seen as a problem for tomorrow - it is firmly an issue for today. In this article, we explore how employers can balance the risks and realities of AI at work through good governance, building employee trust and innovating responsibly. Read more.

Northern Ireland's AI economy on track to double by 2028, new report reveals

According to the Census, Northern Ireland currently has 198 firms active in AI:

+ 46 pure-play AI firms (23%) – focused exclusively on AI products and services
+ 63 diversified AI firms (32%) – offering AI alongside broader technology services
+ 89 AI-enabled firms (45%) – using AI to enhance existing operations

Of these, 122 firms (62%) are indigenous to Northern Ireland, while 76 firms are headquartered or primarily operate outside the region.

The report also estimates 1,340 full-time equivalent (FTE) roles in AI across these firms. These aren’t huge numbers yet, but AI adoption is still young, and we can expect this figure to grow rapidly.

The full AICC report can be downloaded here.

Why firms are merging HR and IT departments

Human resources (HR) deal with people, IT deal with the technology. It might seem like an obvious management division, but some companies are merging the responsibility for those departments under one leader. And a big part of that is to do with the introduction of AI. Some 64% of senior IT decision makers at large companies expect their HR and IT functions to merge within five years, according to a survey by Nexthink, external, a firm that makes workplace software, reports the BBC.

The New ChatGPT5 Reviewed (Part 1)

Over the next three weeks, Barry Phillips will be reviewing the importance of ChatGPT-5 for HR. In this episode, he shares five practical ways the upgrade can transform HR — from better job descriptions to smarter onboarding — and why using AI ethically is key to making work better for everyone.

You can also access this episode here.

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Major high street retailer River Island has confirmed it will close dozens of outlets, resulting in hundreds of job losses. The decision forms part of a long-planned "restructuring plan" designed to prevent the chain from entering administration, which will see River Island shut 33 shops whilst negotiating reduced rents on another 71. River Island operates 223 stores across the UK and Ireland, but none of the Irish outlets are set for closure. More from Cambridgeshire Live.

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Employer confidence remains low, with minimal change in hiring intentions and pay expectations holding steady at 3%. Rising employment costs, especially from National Insurance and minimum wage increases, are hitting lower-paying sectors and young workers hardest. Public sector hiring is down, driven by recruitment freezes and workforce reduction plans, while new immigration rules have sharply impacted social care recruitment. The CIPD urges government to assess the combined effect of these pressures and develop a long-term strategy to support job growth, skills investment, and workforce planning. Read more here.

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Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has unveiled a three-year Apprenticeship Action Plan to boost talent and widen access to apprenticeships. The plan builds on a growing, well-regarded system and focuses on three key themes:

• improving effectiveness and innovation
  
• expanding participation 
  
• promoting inclusion across all sectors of society

You can read more from the Department of the Economy here.

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Key statistics from NISRA

• Payrolled employees and median earnings increased over the month
  
• The number of employees receiving pay through HMRC PAYE in NI in July 2025 was 811,500, an increase of 0.1% over the month and an increase 0.7% over the year.
  
• Earnings data from HMRC PAYE indicated that NI employees had a median monthly pay of £2,377 in July 2025, an increase of £32 (1.4%) over the month and an increase of £141 (6.3%) over the year.

The estimates from HMRC PAYE for the latest period are based on early data and, therefore, are more likely to be subject to larger revisions. More here.

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Annual Leave in NI: What HR Pros Are Really Grappling With

We recently polled HR professionals from across Northern Ireland during a webinar and, while annual leave might seem like a routine topic, the results revealed some telling trends............. More here.

Poll Results Are In! Recruitment Insights from Legal Island... 🚨

Check out the latest poll results from Legal Island's recruitment webinar with MCS Group - do you think the same as our delegates? Read more here.

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How can employers solve the youth confidence crisis?

Research continues to show that a new generation of recruits is not deemed ready for the workplace. But could employers be confusing a lack of confidence with low employability? Kathryn McColl considers how organisations can reframe the youth confidence dilemma. Catch up.

Beyond words: How accent shapes opportunity in professional life

Accent can be an indicator of a person’s socioeconomic background, including their family, heritage, income, occupation and education. However, it is not an indicator of intelligence or competence. Although deeply tied to culture, background and identity, neither socioeconomic background, nor accent, is currently a “protected characteristic” under the Equality Act 2010. As a result, accent and socioeconomic background bias don’t tend to receive the same attention as other forms of discrimination. Yet, negative stereotypes linked to some accents can have real and damaging consequences in the workplace and beyond. More from Lexology here.

Barclays unfairly dismissed employee due to procedural failings: Lessons for HR

A former financial adviser for Barclays, who was accused of making inappropriate comments to female colleagues, has won an unfair dismissal case due to a botched formal investigation. Omar Nayfeh was dismissed from Barclays in July 2024 for gross misconduct after he was accused of making numerous sexual remarks to a younger female colleague which violated Barclays' bullying and harassment policy. HR Magazine has more here.

Don’t wait to be asked: Empower employee development and training

Arwa Due-Gundersen, Senior Business Development Manager at Cambridge Advance Online, a division of the University of Cambridge Online, says employees shouldn’t feel like they have to push for development on their own.  With ‘employee training’ Google searches up 40% in five years from 10,000 to 15,000 monthly in the UK, it is clear that people are searching for support, but bringing it up can still feel awkward. Arwa notes: “The strongest organisations are those that invest in their people, not just for who they are today, but for who they can become. Learning should empower every individual to grow with purpose, lead with confidence, and drive meaningful change in their work and the world.” Read more from HR Director.

Crafting leadership development that sticks

Most leadership programs fail because they lack consistency and don’t create lasting change. This article introduces the Inspire, Train, Sustain framework, a three-step method to ensure leadership development actually sticks. More from HRD Connect.

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Company fined after employee run over by excavator

A 24-year-old employee at Farm XS (Northern) Limited was seriously injured after being struck by an excavator just two weeks into his role. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the incident resulted from the company's failure to assess risks and implement safe working practices, including proper segregation of vehicles and pedestrians. The firm pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations and was fined £4,000, plus £4,285 in costs. HSE emphasized that the accident was preventable and urged the waste industry to prioritize workplace transport safety. More from the BBC.

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The founder of the UK's biggest toy chain, the Entertainer, is handing over control of the business to his 1,900 workers. Gary Grant opened his first shop with his wife Catherine in 1981 when he was 23. He's now 66, and his multi-million pound empire spans 160 shops across the UK. More from the BBC.

Fashion accessories chain Claire's is set to appoint administrators for its UK and Ireland business - putting around 2,150 jobs at risk. The move will raise fears over the future of 306 stores, with 278 of those in the UK and 28 in Ireland. More from Sky News.

Two solicitors who took confidential client information from their former employers have been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Joanne Louise Jones and Michelle Chapman accepted the sanctions in separate regulatory settlement agreements but the law firm involved in both said they were connected, reports Legal Futures.

Belfast leisure centre staff are taking part in a 24-hour strike over pay at facilities operated by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL). Fourteen leisure centres and two gyms, including those in the Better Gym franchise, are owned by Belfast City Council, but operated by GLL. The firm said it remains "engaged in constructive negotiations, with ongoing support from the Labour Relations Agency". More from BBC.

Working conditions at Tesla’s manufacturing plant in Fremont, California, have allegedly gone from bad to worse, with sexual assaults aboard company shuttle buses, drug and alcohol use onsite, all-out brawls breaking out between employees and “prevalent” bigotry – including widespread use of the N-word, a bombshell lawsuit reveals. In a 159-page lawsuit filed, Ozell Murray, a former Fresno police officer in charge of security at the 22,000-person factory, claims he and his team “routinely” seized cocaine and fentanyl onsite, confiscated guns discovered in the building, investigated “acts of sexual deviance” on Tesla grounds, and, at regular intervals, “pulled employees off the manufacturing line and sent them home for being alcohol-intoxicated and high on drugs.” You can read more on this from the Independent.

A British Gas employee illegally obtained customers' data before selling it on to brokers. Chintan Paida faces jail after taking data worth about £45,000. Paida, who is now a former employee of the company, admitted obtaining personal data without consent, which is a crime under the 2018 Data Protection Act. Leicestershire Live has more on this story.

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ONS officials ramp up industrial action with no-office-attendance measure

Civil servants at the Office for National Statistics have escalated industrial action in GB, instigating a zero-office attendance policy and increasing their use of work to rule. The PCS union has been in dispute with the ONS since April 2024 over changes to its hybrid-working policies and has held three statutory ballots and taken continuous industrial action since May of last year. The action began as non-compliance with mandated office-attendance targets, with working to rule added in the first escalation last August. Public Technology has more here.

NDAs gagging workers from discussing alleged harassment and discrimination to be banned in GB

On 7 July 2025, the Westminster government published several amendments to the GB Employment Rights Bill (ERB), including provisions that address the use of NDAs. The proposed amendments to the ERB will, if passed, mean that any provisions in an agreement between an employer and a worker (including settlement agreements and employment contracts) will be void if they try to prevent the worker from making “an allegation of, or disclosure of information relating” to:

• “relevant harassment or discrimination”, or
  
• “the employer’s response to the harassment or discrimination or making of the allegation or disclosure”.

HR Director has more on this.

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Employment Law at 11

📅 Friday 12th September 2025

🕒 11am to 11.45am

📍 Live online | Free to attend

Employment Law at 11 returns on 12th September!

Tell your HR colleagues and register individually or get your HR team around the computer and use the webinars as monthly group learning opportunities. Ask any questions (on employment law) and hear the answers live or catch up later when we upload both a recording and transcript of the discussion. Or catch up on Spotify, Amazon or Apple Music while you're on the go!

NOTE: – Send your questions in advance to gosia@legal-island.com. Anonymity assured.

Please note that the employment law matters discussed in this webinar apply primarily to Northern Ireland. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Legal Island

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