This week's 5 Key Updates Busy People Need to Know: 🏃

1. Annual Review Session of the Week: AI Revolution: HR’s on-going Earthquake 🌟
2. Plausible nonsense: how the other side in litigation is using AI. 🤖
3. Investigations in cases of sexual harassment. 🔍
4. Rise in leavism: one in five workers take laptops on holiday. 🏖️
5. Why do clear contracts matter? Our next Employment Law @11 has the answers! 📜🕚

In other news............if Carlsberg did employment law qualifications, they'd try to copy this one, but wouldn't come close!

**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. Annual Review Session of the Week: AI Revolution: HR’s on-going Earthquake
2. Case Law Reviews
3. AI and Employment Law
4. Work/life balance
5. Work Quality in Northern Ireland Statistics
6. Woman wins case against her employer over her ADHD - and firms need to take note
7. Investigations in cases of sexual harassment
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

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: Annual Review of Employment Law 2025

AI Revolution: HR’s on-going Earthquake

AI is not just another IT upgrade. It will fundamentally change how we upskill our employees and indeed how work gets done. It represents probably the most important workplace development since the Industrial Revolution. But how should HR professionals respond? What is hype, and what essential messages may we be missing in the overwhelm of the many AI reports and bulletins issued daily?

In this Keynote session, our Chairman, Barry Phillips, cuts through the noise to provide clear guidance on how HR professionals can assist or lead in the implementation and optimisation of AI in the workplace. Areas covered include:

• Augmenting workforce skills using GenAI: ChatGPT or Copilot or something else? Why the choice will shape your workplace for years to come
   
  
• Using AI to drive new levels of efficiency: Where to start? How to identify processes for automation or AI
  Five things the successful early adopters are doing
   
  
• Optimising GenAI whilst keeping data safe and secure: The vital rule of ABC.
   
  
• “Shadow use” of AI by employees and what to do about it
   
  
• Digital coaching – we share the results of our own Legal Island pilot
   
  
• Five GenAI tools already re-shaping the HR function

Barry Philips, Chairperson, Legal Island

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Reilly v Limavady Community Development Initiative Limited [2025] NIIT 37920/23

Summary Description: 

Fundamental breach of contract found when the claimant was subjected to detriment as a result of making protected disclosures relating to the use of donated items.

Claimant: 

Arlene Reilly

Respondent: 

Limavady Community Development Initiative Ltd

Practical Guidance for Employers:

The need to be aware of whistleblowing, the protection it affords and the processes around it is of extreme importance for employers.  The failure to adequately manage the disclosures made by the claimant here ultimately led to a fundamental breach of contract and the unfair dismissal action being successful. There should be proper reporting and investigation mechanisms when there are protected disclosures made.  The difference in treatment between the claimant and another colleague who raised a grievance was clear and this led to the finding by the Tribunal of detriment by the respondent against the claimant.

Read the Review in full: Reilly v Limavady Community Development Initiative Limited [2025]

Zic v Belfast Cleans Ltd [2025] NIIT 46780/24

Summary Description: 

Claimant suffered an unauthorised deduction from wages when the director halved the agreed hourly amount due to alleged issues with the work.

Claimant: 

Nikola Zic

Respondent: 

Belfast Cleans Ltd

Practical Guidance for Employers:

When engaging workers even for a short-period of time as seen in this case it is important to have the agreement in writing to ensure clarity.  The approach taken that the pay could just be reduced through the unilateral actions of the director was improper and led to this case and the finding against the respondent.

Read the Review in full: Zic v Belfast Cleans Ltd [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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Plausible nonsense – when the other side in litigation uses AI

An alarming study by Stanford University last year found that general-purpose AI tools tend to “hallucinate” (make up) false information up to 80% of the time and even legal-specific AI models still hallucinate in at least one in six legal queries. But this hasn’t stopped people using it for claims.  Read more from Legal Futures.

Harper vs. SiriusXM: The Growing Legal Risk of AI in Hiring

The US case of Harper vs. SiriusXM shows AI bias in hiring is already a legal risk. Both vendors and employers must show their work, or face the courts. Warden AI outlines the risks to employers here.

AI in the workplace: the legal risks businesses can’t afford to ignore

One of the most pressing concerns is how AI is being used internally, particularly when it comes to processing employee data. Many organisations are turning to AI to support HR functions, monitor productivity, or even assess performance. However, these applications may be in direct conflict with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For example, if an AI system is used for employee monitoring without their informed consent, or if the data collected is repurposed beyond its original intent, the business could be in breach of data protection law. Tech Radar has more here.

The New ChatGPT5 Reviewed (Part III)

In the final part of the Review Barry Phillips argues that in talking about what disappoints us about ChatGPT5 we’re missing the point.

You can also access the episode here.

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Rise in leavism as one in five workers take laptops on holiday

An always-on working culture, enabled by technology and reinforced by poor leadership, is blurring the lines between work and rest says People Management. Read more here.

More than 200,000 UK workers switch to four-day week since 2019

Nearly 11% of the workforce now report doing four days across full- and part-time work, analysis finds. You can read more from the Guardian.

The benefits of workplace sports and social clubs

Nearly half (46%) of employees rarely or never socialise with colleagues after hours, according to research by Blackhawk Network’s (BHN), published in May 2025. Offering workplace clubs and societies, and encouraging participation in these, is one way for employers to help facilitate and improve workplace connections. This article from Employee Benefits provides more.

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The latest Work Quality statistical publication was published by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA). This report contains analysis for six additional work quality indicators, including these findings:

•    9 out of 10 employees do not have a zero-hours contract

•    21% of NI employees reported they had participated in training in the last 13 weeks

•    34% of employees are members of a trade union

You can read more here.

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Official data analysed by Sky News shows the number of people in work with disabilities or long-term health conditions has risen by 21% since the pandemic, including a 35% jump in workers with learning difficulties and mental conditions like ADHD. In this article from Sky News, Bahar Khorram outlines how she was working at Capgemini, a global consultancy firm when she started struggling with her tasks and asked for support. Read here.

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Following a recent successful clam for unfair dismissal due to a flawed investigation of sexual harassment, the team at Dentons explore some key steps for a sound investigation, particularly in sensitive cases in this article from Dentons. 

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The Mediation – how to prepare and what happens on the day

A practical guide for HR on preparing, supporting and ensuring fairness throughout workplace mediation. More from Rosemary Connolly, Kathy Sinclair and Martin Blake here.

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HR must prepare now for the end of age-based pay

The government’s decision to abolish age-based minimum wage bands from April 2026 marks an important milestone in UK employment law. From that date, everyone aged 18 and over will be entitled to the same minimum hourly rate.  HR teams will need to take a closer look at contracts, payroll systems and workforce strategies and this article from HR Magazine provides guidance. Access the article here.

Organisational change: The risks of too much too quickly

If you change too much too quickly you risk destabilising and confusing rather than sweeping all before you. It takes time for new ways to bed-in and people to adjust. HR Director looks at organisational change in the workplace. Access the article here.

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Trailer company fined £175,000 after death of employee

Following a joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) and Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI), a Co. Antrim trailer manufacturer has been fined for health and safety offences. McCauley Trailers Limited who earlier pleaded guilty to two health and safety offences, were fined £175,000 at Antrim Crown Court. An employee sustained fatal crush injuries when the trailer body fell and trapped him between the chassis and the body of the trailer, according to the HSENI. The investigation established that there were no risk assessments or safe systems of work in place detailing how to safely raise, support and work under a raised tipper trailer during the shot blasting process. More from Agriland here.

The number of Northern Ireland ambulance staff injured at work revealed

Over 1,200 ambulance staff in Northern Ireland have been injured while on duty since 2022, shocking new figures reveal. Paramedics and ambulance staff suffered injuries at work from a number of different causes, from manual handling to violence. You can read more on this from Belfast Live.

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Two senior male executives who were caught sending offensive messages in a WhatsApp group including rating women out of ten for their looks - have lost their jobs and failed in a claim for unfair dismissal. Members of the group had swapped "highly derogatory" sexual comments, including fantasies involving a manager, and circulated a cartoon of Snow White in a sexual pose with Pinocchio, referencing another employee. The messages also contained racist and Islamophobic "jokes", mocked the firm's harassment policy, and even included discussion of - and photos from - "upskirting", where a female co-worker was named. More from the Mirror.

The entire council of a small village has resigned after 'gossip and chaos' cost it £50,000. Puddington in the Wirral was plunged into disarray following allegations members of the organisation had falsely blamed the clerk for creating a toxic environment. The accused Luke Trevaskis sued the parish council - but it refused to take part in the proceedings and threatened to report the employment tribunal to the police for harassment. The Daily Mail has more.

A Ministry of Defence employee has lost his claim for discrimination and harassment after complaining that he did not receive a good luck card when he left his job. Mr Eyles began working for the MoD in 2020 as a defence accommodation stores manager, based at NATO in Belgium. He worked in this role for three years and left in July 2023, having been refused an extension to the post. Eyles had informed the MoD of disabilities, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and paranoia. You can read the ruling in this article from Personnel Today.

Scotland's public finance minister, Ivan McKee, has ruled out the possibility of the Scottish Government moving to a four-day week, despite a pilot programme finding that switching to a shorter working week brought both productivity and wellbeing benefits. In a year-long pilot run by the Scottish Government, all of the staff at two of its agencies – Accountant in Bankruptcy and South of Scotland Enterprise – were given the opportunity to work a 32-hour, four-day week. An independent evaluation of the pilot by the Autonomy Institute, published yesterday, found an increase in productivity in both organisations, alongside wellbeing improvements across a range of measures. Read all about it here. 

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GB Employment Rights Bill Survey Reveals GB Business Concerns

68% of respondents believe that the GB Employment Rights Bill will have a negative impact on business in the UK, and only 10% believe that the bill will have a positive impact on their business. The changes respondents say will have the most negative impact on businesses are the day one right to claim unfair dismissal (62%), flexible working as the default (47%), and changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) (42%). More from Peninsula.

How to conduct a flawless redundancy consultation process

This article from People Management explains the key steps of the redundancy process in GB and provides guidance for employers on avoiding legal claims. Read more here.

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Employment Law at 11 Case Law Special: Why Clear Contracts Matter

📅 Friday 12th September 2025

🕒 11am to 11.45am

📍 Live online | Free to attend

Register here. 

Vague, contradictory, or poorly drafted contracts can cost employers dearly, and Northern Ireland tribunals are making that crystal clear.

Employment Law at 11 regulars Christine Quinn of Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan of O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors are joined this month by special guest Jason Elliott BL for a focused session unpacking recent decisions that show exactly how unclear wording can backfire.

We’ll break down:

• O’Neill & Durkan v Belfast HSC Trust – Contract void for uncertainty, holiday pay awarded.
  
• Cassidy v Doma (NI) Ltd – Confusing notice clauses? Claimant wins one month’s notice pay.
  
• Sweeney v Western Urgent Care Ltd – Pay basis unclear? Unlawful deduction claim upheld.
  
• McKay v Adatar Ltd – Missing clarity on notice and holiday pay? Another win for the claimant.
   
  

You’ll leave with:

• Real-world examples of what not to do in contract drafting
  
• Steps to tighten up your employment terms and conditions
  
• Insights on how tribunals approach ambiguity
  
  

Don’t wait until you’re in front of a tribunal, get your contracts right from the start.

🎁 Plus, get an exclusive preview of Legal Island’s new and improved Employment Law Hub - your go-to resource for staying confident and compliant. Don’t miss out!

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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