The BDBF Podcast: News and Insights for the Employment Law Community

When fundamental rights collide in the workplace, how do courts decide who wins? In this episode of The BDBF Podcast, Partner Clare Brereton and Senior Associate Leigh Janes examine the high-profile case of Omooba v Michael Garrett Associates Ltd . The dispute – an actress dismissed after a social media backlash over a historic post expressing her religious belief that homosexuality is a sin – put...

When NHS staff blow the whistle, the consequences can be devastating. How can healthcare professionals raise serious concerns while protecting their careers? In this special episode of The BDBF Podcast , recorded for World Whistleblowers' Day, employment law partners Clare Brereton and Samantha Prosser discuss the realities of whistleblowing in the NHS – from the legal protections available to the...

Can Blair's 1997 reforms help the employment law sector prepare for the forthcoming ERA changes? In this episode, host Tom McLaughlin is joined by BDBF managing partner Gareth Brahams to draw a direct line between Blair's 1997 employment law reforms and the major changes set to arrive with the Employment Rights Act in 2027. Drawing on three decades of practice, Gareth traces the parallels between...

Can you withdraw a job offer once it’s been accepted? Lessons from Kankanalapalli v Loesche Energy Systems LTD. In this episode of The BDBF Podcast , partners Paula Chan and Gareth Brahams discuss the recent Employment Appeal Tribunal decision in Kankanalapalli v Loesche Energy Systems Ltd . This case explores what "reasonable notice" means when a job offer is withdrawn after a contract is formed...

Is the UK finally moving toward a "bounty" system for whistleblowers? In this episode of the BDBF Podcast, Partner Claire Dawson is joined by US expert Mary Inman to explore whistleblower reward programs. Under the US model, individuals who report wrongdoing to the authorities can receive between 10–30% of recovered funds – a powerful incentive that has already helped uncover billions in corporate...

How long can whistleblowers continue to claim dismissal as a "detriment" against an individual colleague? Whistleblowing law in the UK is at a pivotal crossroads. In May this year, the Supreme Court will hear the appeal in Rice v Wicked Vision, in which the future of Timis v Osipov is in the firing line.   In this episode of the BDBF Podcast, Amanda Steadman is joined by Bruce Carr KC and Managing...

Was the 12-Month Non-Compete Agreement Enforceable? Analysing the High Court Ruling in Tom James UK Limited v Max Potter. In this episode of the BDBF Podcast, Tom McLaughlin and Jamie Barton explore the headline employment law dispute Tom James UK Limited v Max Potter , focusing on the enforceability of non-compete clauses, restrictive covenants and the risks of overly restrictive post-termination...

Unfair Dismissal, Polkey Deductions and Performance Management: Lessons from Pal v Accenture UK Limited In this episode of The BDBF Podcast , Samantha Prosser and James Hockley analyse the Employment Appeal Tribunal’s decision in Pal v Accenture UK Limited – and what the ruling means for employers and claimants. Ms Pal, a 10-year Accenture manager, was dismissed in 2019 for allegedly not being “pr...

When can a detriment claim bypass ACAS early conciliation? The Court of Appeal sets the rules in Reynolds v Abel Estate Agent Limited.  In this episode of The BDBF Podcast , host Tom McLaughlin is joined by Knowledge Lawyer Rose Lim to unpack the Court of Appeal’s decision in Reynolds v Abel Estate Agent Limited and its implications for ACAS early conciliation requirements. Tom and Rose break down...

How Will the New Unfair Dismissal Regime Transform Employment Tribunal Claims for Employers and Employees? In this episode of The BDBF Podcast: News and Insights for the Employment Law Community , partners Claire Dawson and Paula Chan examine the sweeping reforms to unfair dismissal law coming into force on 1 January 2027 under the Employment Rights Act. Moving beyond the headlines, Claire and Pau...

The Consequences of Informal Promises in Share Option Agreements: What Dixon v GlobalData Plc Means in Practice… In this episode of The BDBF Podcast , host Tom McLaughlin is joined by partner Paula Chan to unpack the High Court’s decision in Dixon v GlobalData Plc and its implications for informal promises made about share option agreements. Tom and Paula examine how verbal assurances about share...

In a special episode of The BDBF Podcast , Tom McLaughlin sits down with BDBF founding partner Gareth Brahams to mark the firm’s 13th anniversary and Gareth’s 30-year career in employment law. Departing from the usual legal updates, the conversation offers a rich, reflective look at Gareth’s career journey, the evolution of the profession, and the landmark cases and trends that have shaped the fie...

The Henderson v GCRM Implication: What The EAT Decision Really Means In Practice In this episode of The BDBF Podcast: News and Insights for the Employment Law Community , host Tom McLaughlin is joined by employment law specialist Abdullah Ahmed to analyse the Employment Appeal Tribunal’s decision in Henderson v GCRM and its implications for whistleblowing protection under the Employment Rights Act...

Cross-border Employment Claims After Brexit: What Prahl v Lapinski Means in Practice… In this episode of The BDBF Podcast: News and Insights for the Employment Law Community , host Tom McLaughlin is joined by colleagues: Partner Claire Dawson and Managing Associate Theo Nicou to unpack the Employment Appeal Tribunal’s decision in Prahl v Lapinski and its implications for international employment c...