Trans and non-binary inclusion at work

Employment Law Focus: The impact of AI on employment law

In this episode Jonathan Rennie, partner at TLT is joined by Sarah Maddock, senior knowledge lawyer at TLT and Emma Erskine-Fox, managing associate in the Technology and Intellectual Property team at TLT to look at the impact of AI on employment law and discuss:

• Key differences between various types of AI technologies.
• Why generative AI like ChatGPT is gaining increased attention.
• How AI tools be used to enhance workplace productivity.
• How employers can address the potential risks and challenges associated with AI in decision-making.
• How AI systems affect the fairness and reasonableness of decisions.
• Data protection considerations and legal obligations for employers when using AI for decision-making and information processing.
• How organisations can establish effective governance and policies around AI technology.
• Role of training and transparency in the responsible use of AI in the workplace.

Menopause in the Workplace: empowering employers and supporting employees

In today's workforce, where one in three workers is over 50 and 80% of women aged 45 to 55 are employed, it is essential for employers to recognise and address the impact of menopause. Many employees undergoing this natural transition report adverse effects on their work, and statistics reveal a rise in litigation concerning menopause-related issues.  

In this episode, hosted by Leeanne Armstrong, legal director at TLT, we’re joined by Stephanie Reid from Menopause Spring and Louise Chopra, partner at TLT to discuss the significance of supporting employees experiencing menopause and share invaluable strategies for creating a supportive work environment including:  

• Why must employers ensure they are equipped to effectively deal with menopause in the workplace?
• What are the expectations of menopausal individuals from their employers?
• How can employers meet those expectations, including in terms of policy development and initiatives?
• What were the key objectives and challenges for TLT in devising a menopause strategy in the workplace?
• Our key takeaways for employers on addressing the impact of menopause and implementing effective strategies in the workplace.

Further reading:

Menopause and the workplace: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2022–2023

Mrs M Rooney v Leicester City Council

A v Bonmarche Ltd

BS 30416, Menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace

TLT Menopause Toolkit for employers

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Thinking Differently: neurodiversity and work

In the latest episode of our Employment Law Focus podcast, we look at neurodiversity, a range of conditions which affect how people think, process and interpret information. This affects around 15% of people but, until fairly recently, has not been widely considered in the workplace. 

Traditional workplaces are often designed by and for a neurotypical society, which can negatively affect employees who are neurodivergent and prevent them from thriving at work. Understanding the differing needs of each person in your workplace will help to adjust practises to ensure every employee is equipped to perform to the best of their ability.

Jonathan Rennie and Sarah Maddock discuss the important role that employers play in the lives of people who are neurodivergent and what best practice can look like in the modern workplace.

We look at: 

• What neurodiversity actually means
• Benefits from attracting candidates who are neurodivergent
• Supporting development at work
• How employers can manage the hidden nature of these conditions
• What additional things need to be considered if an employment tribunal claimant has a neurodiverse condition

Further reading

Bupa – supporting neurodiversity in the workplace

CIPD – neurodiversity at work

ACAS – webinar – inclusive workplaces: making changes to better support neurodiversity

Neurodivergent women sought for jobs at GCHQ and BAE Systems

Noor v Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Sherbourne v Npower

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Send us your questions and we'll answer them in a future episode – email [email protected] or tweet us using #TLTemploymentpodcast or @TLT_Employment

You can find out more about our employment team at tltsolicitors.com/employment

Sign up to receive our updates at tltsolicitors.com/signup

If you’ve enjoyed listening, please rate us and write a review.

Winter 2022 and the cost of living crisis

Alongside the usual risks and issues – from seasonal bugs to Christmas parties – the “permacrisis” means that in-house legal and HR teams will face a plethora of new considerations this winter. In this episode, Jonathan Rennie and Grace Caldicott discuss everything from writing hardship policies and offering early access to wages, to the pros and cons of different kinds of flexible working policies and how to normalise conversations about money.

They also offer advice on:

• What to do if an employee starts a second job
• The role of communication in health and wellbeing
• Avoiding bias and minimising the risk of discrimination claims
• Interpreting contract terms 

Our news section highlights a new pay transparency law in New York, while our listener’s question touches on Elon Musk’s email to Twitter staff asking them to commit to working “long hours at high intensity” and being “extremely hardcore”.

Further reading:

• CIPD: Cost of living crisis
• CIPD: Tackling in-work poverty
• HSE: Home working
• TLT: Bellman Christmas party ruling

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Send us your questions and we'll answer them in a future episode – email [email protected] or tweet us using #TLTemploymentpodcast or @TLT_Employment

You can find out more about our employment team at tltsolicitors.com/employment

Sign up to receive our updates at tltsolicitors.com/signup

If you’ve enjoyed listening, please rate us and write a review.

Trans and non-binary inclusion at work

In this episode, we’re joined by Bobbi Pickard, CEO of Trans in the City, to discuss how employers can improve their approach to trans and non-binary inclusion in the workplace.

We explore questions like:

• Is the term LGBTQIA+ a help or a hindrance?
• What does trans and non-binary actually mean?
• Are gender-critical beliefs protected by law?
• Is the law fit for purpose, and how might it change in the future?
• What does best practice look like?

We discuss the importance of vocalising a clear position on trans and non-binary inclusion and educating staff. We also discuss the benefits of creating a safe and welcoming environment, from recruiting the best talent to allowing people to do their best work.

As Bobbi says, it takes years to change a company’s culture, but today’s graduates are already exploring their identities and have high expectations about equality, diversity and inclusion.

Further reading:

• Grainger plc & Ors v Nicholson
• Maya Forstater v CGD Europe & Ors 
• Ms R Taylor v Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
• United Nations Global Compact

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Send us your questions and we'll answer them in a future episode – email [email protected] or tweet us using #TLTemploymentpodcast or @TLT_Employment

You can find out more about our employment team at tltsolicitors.com/employment

Sign up to receive our updates at tltsolicitors.com/signup

If you’ve enjoyed listening, please rate us and write a review.