The Work Agenda

Over the course of this year, we’ve hosted conversations with leading experts and thinkers to explore their perspectives on the future of work and consider the opportunities and challenges ahead for employers and their people as the world of work continues to evolve rapidly. In this final episode of 2024, our podcast host, Lucy Lewis, Employment Partner at Lewis Silkin, reflects on the conversatio...

How can you reconcile immigration rules with the obligation not to discriminate on the grounds of race? Join Abi Frederick and Naomi Hanrahan-Soar as they explore the tricky issue of the relationship between immigration and employment law.   This podcast covers common issues including right to work checks, sponsorship rules and risks, and salary thresholds and adjustments. Our experts discuss how...

This month’s discussion continues our thoughts on the new Employment Rights Bill, this time focusing on the new trade union rights as well as the finer details of the new collective redundancy and fire & rehire reforms.

Welcome to this month’s podcast, where we reflect on the impact of recent global elections on the future of workplace regulation. Join Lucy and partners James Davies and David Hopper as they explore emerging global trends and their implications for the UK. Discover how political shifts are reshaping the employer-employee relationships and union influence in an increasingly volatile and uncertain l...

In this episode of Pay Attention, we cross the “Finnish line” on pay transparency with Nana Karanen, a leading expert on Finland’s employment landscape. Together, we unpack how the EU’s Pay Transparency Directive could fit into Finland’s existing framework and what lessons the UK might draw from their equitable approach. From cultural attitudes to policy insights, this episode sheds light on how F...

Welcome to the first episode of our new podcast helping you manage your international workforce and navigate the quirks of international employment law. In this podcast, we focus on Ireland and discuss key risk areas regarding litigation and claims, the Workplace Relations Commission process, the right to disconnect and more!

Sarah McWhinney and Becs Peedell discuss what’s driving the focus on workplace support for new parents, why the shared parental leave system is broken and what some employers (including Lewis Silkin) are putting in place instead. With the new Labour government introducing day 1 family rights and promising to review the whole system, just how generous are the UK’s family leave schemes and is this a...

This month’s discussion shares our thoughts on the Employment Rights Bill and the details employers need to know.   

Anna Bond and Jen Kingsmill, along with guests Professor Amanda Kirby and Mel Francis from Do-IT Solutions, delve into the topic of neurodiversity in the workplace.  With neuroinclusivity a priority for many employers, our speakers start by defining neurodiversity and explaining its significance. They also consider the legal framework under the Equality Act and explore practical strategies to fost...

In the latest episode of our “In Conversation…” podcast series for 2024, Lucy speaks with Dr Vivienne Ming, a theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Socos Labs, a company dedicated to leveraging AI-driven research to maximise human potential. In this conversation, Lucy and Vivienne explore the evolving relationship between AI and the workforce, discussing how technology can en...

This month’s discussion covers the Next equal pay case, and the latest news on predictable terms and the right to disconnect.  

In the seventh episode of our “In Conversation…” podcast series for 2024, Lucy speaks to Simon Roberts, anthropologist, author and co-founder of Stripe Partners, a consultancy firm which incorporates social and data science to give companies a deep understanding of the world, their customers and their organisation. In this conversation, Lucy and Simon discuss anthropology and why, in a tech and da...

Abi Frederick and James Walters talk about the new legal duty on employers to prevent workplace sexual harassment. With the law changing on 26 October, they explore what it means for leadership, how employers can get ready and some of the practical steps we are seeing businesses take. They also reflect on how a similar law in Australia has changed practice there. 

Colin Leckey and Amy Russell Hughes discuss the big employment law changes announced in the King's Speech on 17 July. They talk through how day 1 unfair dismissal rights are likely to be put into practice, why employers will have more collective consultation programmes and what's wrong with the plans on equal pay. And they address the key question - is the UK becoming like France but wit...

This month’s episode features Colin and David discussing an EAT decision on waiving future claims in settlement agreements and a clue to Labour’s plans for outsourced workers.

In this episode, Pay Attention regulars Tom Heys and David Lorimer are joined by Ornella Patane, a partner at the Italian firm Toffoletto De Luca Tamajo. They discuss the existing “bollino rosa” reporting regime in Italy, how the Pay Transparency Directive will be implemented in Italy, the challenges that Italian employers will face, and what measures they can take in advance. 

Immigration was a crucial part of the Labour manifesto, now that they are in power listen to Supinder Sian and Naomi Hanrahan-Soar take stock of what they promised policy-wise on legal migration to the UK as well as other areas they think should top the agenda: A more evidence-led and cross-government approach to managing the numbers Immigration sponsorship with industrial strategy Digitalisation...

In the sixth episode of our “In Conversation..” podcast series for 2024, Lucy speaks to Giles Gibbons, co-founder and CEO of Good Business, a strategy consultancy firm with almost 30 years of experience advising organisations on purpose, behaviour change, sustainability and responsible business strategies. While many organisations are taking positive steps to manage their social and environmental...

In the first episode of our new podcast series for HR professionals, Anna Bond and Lucy Hendley explore the complexities of upholding company culture while navigating the tensions that arise within a diverse community. They explore the legal landscape surrounding the expression of beliefs in the workplace and offer practical strategies for employers to manage these challenges effectively, ensuring...

In episode 3 of “Pay Attention”, Tom Heys, David Lorimer and David Hopper explore the significant impact of the role of workers’ representatives in the Pay Transparency Directive. They discuss how reps will gain unprecedented access to pay data, empowering them to more strongly challenge employers on pay equity. The trio sheds light on the new dynamics and how employers can help ensure a smooth wo...

This month’s discussion is a general election special covering the employment law changes the Labour party would introduce if it wins the election next month.  

The impact of the new Pay Transparency Directive extends beyond gender pay gap reporting, also granting a swathe of new rights for employees to access information about pay. In Episode 2 of “Pay Attention”, Tom, David and Síobhra discuss how these new rights – often overlooked in discussions about the Pay Transparency Directive – could be transformative. Employers need to start preparing for much...

In this fifth episode of our “In Conversation…” podcast series for 2024, Lucy is joined by fellow Lewis Silkin partners and co-heads of the Data, Privacy and Cyber Group, Alexander Milner-Smith and Bryony Long.  In this fascinating conversation, Alex and Bryony discuss a variety of emerging technologies, their use cases in the workplace and the potential legal and people-related risks that might a...

This month’s podcast features Colin and David discussing the takeaways from two recent EAT decisions on holiday pay and reasonable adjustments.  

In this fourth episode of our “In Conversation…” podcast series for 2024, Lucy revisits a fascinating conversation she had on navigating and managing workplace conflict with David Liddle, founder and CEO of TCM Group.  Recorded in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, this conversation from 2022 resonates with many of the challenges businesses are experiencing today. Growing societal divisions...