The implications of Brexit on employers come under the spotlight at the region’s biggest employment law event.
The annual Employment Law Conference is a unique North-east collaboration between three leading law firms – Burness Paull LLP, Clyde & Co (Scotland) LLP and Pinsent Masons LLP – to provide relevant updates on legislation which affects industry.
Following the EU referendum result, employers are having to look at the consequences in the short, medium and long term, managing workforce expectations and planning for the changes when they do come.
Sandy Kemp from Clyde & Co is regarded as one of the top 10 employment lawyers in Scotland, and he is focusing his expertise on the complicated question of how different the legal landscape might look post-Brexit.
Issues like working time, the ability to introduce caps on awards, or introduce different rules on issues such as retirement may all be up for change.
This year’s expert speakers are also looking at employees’ rights when their employers downsize, merge or outsource services, and how mental illness can be a disability under the Equality Act.
Organised by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce and held at the AECC in November, the day equips delegates with the essential information, the knowhow and skills needed for HR professionals and attracts around 200 delegates from across the region.
Euan Smith of Pinsent Masons examines TUPE regulations which protect employees’ rights when the organisation or service they work for transfers to a new employer.
With downsizing, mergers and outsourcing all providing potential pitfalls for employers, he looks at the most frequently asked questions on the topic.
Katie Williams of Pinsent Masons looks at how mental illness can be legally classed as disability, obliging employers to make reasonable adjustments and guard against harassment and victimisation.
These speakers are joined by Toni McAlindin, an employment law specialist and HR practitioner with almost 40 years of experience in employment policies.
Toni is a qualified barrister who specialises in labour law and lectures regularly on employment law issues at colleges and universities and has worked with a wide range of private and public employers.
She has been a regular fixture at the conference through the years but 2016 will be her final year as she is winding down her workload.
“I have been involved in these for more years than I can remember,” she said.
“The faces have changed over that time both of the delegates and the lawyers taking part and the law also keeps continuing.
“It has been a real pleasure to work with such a variety of the Aberdeen law firms.”
The Annual Employment Law Conference 2016 is being held at Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre on November 17. More details are available at www.agcc.co.uk.