Happy International Women's Day! 💜 Legal Island - smashing the glass ceiling one email at a time! 💥📧 Bringing you the latest in HR and employment law - no pay gap included! 💼⚖️✨
🔥 Busy week? Get the essentials! 📢 Top 5 must-reads this week!
1. 📜 Programme for Government released!
2. 🗳️ LRA Draft Corporate Plan 2025-2029 - Have your say!
3. 💰 Boost for low-paid workers – 80% sick pay guaranteed!
4. 🌸 Menopause at work! Why it matters and how to build an inclusive workplace.
5. 🏢 Most workers say office time is fair—just make it worth the commute!
In other news…Join us THIS MORNING for Employment Law at 11 with Christine Quinn and Seams McGranaghan where they will be discussing the 'Good Jobs' Bill; Draft Programme for Government and Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave). Register NOW!
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CONTENTS ⚓︎
1. Case Law Reviews ⚓︎
Sandhu v Enterprise Rent-a-Car Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 190
Summary Description: Appeal dismissed when it related to an alleged failure of the Tribunal to provide determinations for all issues raised in the case.
Claimant/Respondent on Appeal: Sandhu
Respondent/Appellant on Appeal: Enterprise Rent-a-Car Ltd
Keywords: Unfair Dismissal; Performance; Disciplinary; Associative Disability Discrimination
Practical Guidance for Employers:
The Court of Appeal looks at the Tribunal decision and whether the issues have been determined. They have looked at certain elements encompassing others such as the band of reasonable responses test meaning that other matters such as the type of sanction to be given were considered in the round. This is helpful rather than the Tribunal being unduly restricted in how the judgments would have to be written.
Read the Review in full: Sandhu v Enterprise Rent-a-Car Ltd [2025]
Impact Recruitment Services Ltd v Korpysa [2025] EAT 22
Summary Description: EAT remitted a case relating to dismissal/resignation confusion noting that it could be some other substantial reason as a fair reason where the employer genuinely believes that the employee has resigned.
Claimant: Korpysa
Respondent: Impact Recruitment Services Ltd
Keywords: Unfair Dismissal; Resignation
Practical Guidance for Employers:
The distinction between resignation and dismissal can lead to some messy consequences. This is one of these cases and it is interesting that the lay members came to the decision rather than the legally qualified Judge. However, the EAT has provided some useful guidance on when a genuine belief in a resignation may be a fair reason for a dismissal under some other substantial reason.
Read the Review in full:
Impact Recruitment Services Ltd v Korpysa [2025]
These case reviews were written by Jason Elliott BL. NI Tribunal decisions are available on the OITFET website:
http://www.employmenttribunalsni.co.uk/
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:
https://www.legal-island.com/employment-law-hub/case-law-search-page/
2. AI and Employment Law ⚓︎
Northern Irish minister grilled on potential AI jobs replacement
Northern Ireland’s finance minister has pledged that the roll out of artificial intelligence in government will not be solely driven by the potential to save money, but he stopped short of guaranteeing to protect civil service jobs. John O’Dowd’s comments came in response to questions on the use of AI in government at the Northern Ireland Assembly last week. More in publictechnology.net:
https://www.publictechnology.net/2025/03/03/education-and-skills/northern-irish-minister-grilled-on-potential-ai-jobs-replacement/
OpenAI’s Deep Dive: "Will HR Ever Need to Google Again?"
This week, Barry Phillips explores OpenAI's revolutionary Deep Research function and asks whether the days of endless HR research rabbit holes are finally over...
3. International Women’s Day ⚓︎
IWD 2025 campaign theme is 'Accelerate Action'
Step forward in solidarity for International Women's Day (IWD) 2025 on March 8 to help #AccelerateAction. At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum. Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres. More from IWD:
https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme
International Women’s Day 2025: 3 Best Practices to Increase Representation Among Women in the Workplace
It’s time to move beyond conversations about increasing diversity and retention and commit to strategies that make tangible difference. Here are 3 best practices from Jennifer Tardy Consulting to help increase representation among women in the workplace:
https://www.jennifertardy.com/linkedin-newsletter-articles/international-womens-day-2025
Menopause Matters at Work: Creating Inclusive Workplaces
With women over 45 being the fastest-growing segment of the workforce, organisations can no longer afford to overlook menopause. Yet, many workplaces still lack the awareness, policies and support systems needed to create an inclusive and understanding environment. By taking proactive steps, organisations can foster a culture where menopause is recognised, discussed and supported - leading to a healthier, more engaged workforce. Karina Todd of Over the Bloody Moon has more:
https://legal-island.com/employment-law-hub/menopause-matters-at-work-creating-inclusive-workplaces
Retaining Female Talent: Four Ways to Reduce Workplace Drop Out
International Women’s Day (8 March) and the upcoming UK deadlines for Gender Pay Gap reporting (30 March for most public sector employers and 4 April for private sector employers) presents an opportunity to note how far employers have come in supporting their female workforce. They are also a reminder of the ways in which they still need to address imbalances, especially as the continuing return to office transition threatens to impact women more than men. Bright Horizons’ latest Modern Families Index 2025 (MFI) reported that one-third of UK working parents and carers are already very stressed. Data from many sources shows how this issue disproportionately affects women. Personnel Today has more:
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/retaining-female-talent-four-ways-to-reduce-workplace-drop-out/
Number of female doctors overtakes male
Female doctors are greater in number than their male counterparts for the first time ever in the UK, the General Medical Council (GMC) has announced today. Data collected by the regulator showed that last month 164,440 women (50.04%) had a licence to practise, compared with 164,195 men (49.96%). Catch up:
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/number-of-female-doctors-overtakes-male/
4. Ready for Change? ⚓︎
Doing What Matters Most: Programme for Government 2024-2027
The NI Executive’s Programme outlines key priorities, such as the reform and transformation of public services, aiming to improve effectiveness and efficiency to meet demands. Additionally, there is a commitment to delivering more affordable, accessible, high-quality early learning and childcare, which impacts employee welfare and work-life balance. You can find out more here:
https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-03/programme-for-government-2024-2027-our-plan-doing-what-matters-most_2.pdf
Are you ready for change? NICs increase and planning for the future
From 6th April 2025, employers will see an increase in their NICs:
• The employer NICs rate will rise from 13.8% to 15%
• The threshold at which NICs become payable will drop from £9,100 per year to £5,000
• The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage will also increase from 1st April 2025
These changes mean businesses will face significantly higher employment costs. HR teams need to assess the impact and develop strategies to mitigate risks while maintaining engagement and productivity. Make UK outlines key considerations for HR here:
https://www.makeuk.org/news-and-events/news/are-you-ready-change-navigating-nics-increase-and-planning-future
Low-paid workers to get 80% of salary in sick pay
More than one million low-paid workers in the UK are to be entitled to 80% of their weekly salary as sick pay from the first day of illness, under government plans. Currently, to qualify for statutory sick pay, you must have been ill for more than three days in a row and earn an average of at least £123 a week. The British Chambers of Commerce called the 80% rate a "fair compromise", but warned allowing sick pay from day one could lead to higher staff absenteeism that smaller firms could struggle to cope with, reports the BBC:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx28qw46p6yo
One-in-five earning less than ‘real living wage’ in Northern Ireland
At more than one-in-five people, Northern Ireland has the highest proportion of workers earning the lowest pay in the UK, according to the latest statistics. Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that in 2024, around 224,000 jobs in the north (20.6%) pay less per hour than the Real Living Wage (RLW). The RLW is a rate set by the Living Wage Foundation, a campaign group which encourages employers to pay their staff a minimum wage which is based on the cost of living. Read more from Irish News:
https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/one-in-five-earning-less-than-real-living-wage-in-northern-ireland-HLBJTERERZFUDAUTQIPXJNRRKQ/
5. Recruitment
Deel - State of Global Hiring Report
Deel, a global HR and payroll company has over a million contracts with more than 35,000 companies. Their latest research has revealed:
- Despite the narratives around Gen Z’s challenges adjusting to the workplace, companies are working hard to keep them happy — Gen Z workers received bigger raises in 2024 than any other generation.
- Cross-border work isn’t going anywhere, but organisations are showing an increasing preference for having more of their workers nearby.
More here:
https://www.deel.com/global-hiring-report-2025/
Is employing young people a headache?
Do you have minors and young people in your workforce? Great! Employing minors and young workers can bring many benefits to a business – new energy, affordability, meet staffing needs. But here’s the question – are you compliant with the laws on employing young people in your business? If you’re unsure, this article from Lexology looks at school leaving ages, WTR and roles and duties:
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=43818350-2ece-4387-abd9-e04114747ea6&utm_source
6. DEI ⚓︎
Six key reasons for leaders to develop cultural intelligence
As businesses continue to expand globally, the demand for culturally competent leaders will only grow. Today’s leaders must invest in their cultural intelligence development to effectively lead diverse teams and drive organizational success in a globalized market. You can read more from HR Director:
https://www.thehrdirector.com/features/cultural-change/six-key-reasons-leaders-develop-cultural-intelligence/
Ramadan around the world: Global perspectives on workplace practices
During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, practicing Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset for a period of 30 days. In this piece, Ius Laboris explores the considerations for employers during Ramadan and the approaches taken by different jurisdictions:
https://iuslaboris.com/insights/ramadan-around-the-world-global-perspectives-on-workplace-practices/
7. Remote and Hybrid Working
Most workers think meaningful office attendance is fair
Most UK employees believe it’s fair for employers to expect in-person working when it adds real value to the business. New data from professional networking platform LinkedIn found 72% of people are happy to attend the workplace when their boss thinks it would be meaningful, but 50% do not want more mandatory office days. The research revealed that overall, workers agree in-person collaboration can be beneficial in building stronger relationships (45%), boosting engagement in meetings (43%) and speeding up decision-making (36%).
More from Personnel Today:
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/most-workers-think-meaningful-office-attendance-is-fair/
8. Just in Case You Missed It... ⚓︎
Q&A Series
Stay ahead of the curve with our exclusive Q&A series, brought to you by leading law firm, Arthur Cox, LLP, designed to answer your most pressing legal questions. These expert insights provide clear guidance to ensure your HR practices remain compliant and protect your organisation. Chris Fullerton answers these questions this month:
- What are employers' legal responsibilities in managing employee attendance and business continuity during severe weather events?
Q&A: What are employers' legal responsibilities in managing employee attendance and business continuity during severe weather events? - What legal considerations should employers keep in mind when supporting staff and maintaining business continuity during industrial action in Northern Ireland?
Q&A: What legal considerations should employers keep in mind when supporting staff and maintaining business continuity during industrial action in Northern Ireland? - What are the legal obligations for employers in addressing work-related stress in Northern Ireland?
Q&A: What are the legal obligations for employers in addressing work-related stress in Northern Ireland?
9. HR Developments ⚓︎
HR Director poll delivers damning result on conflict resolution
A recent poll conducted in HRDIRECTOR magazine revealed 76% of employees believe their employers fail to resolve conflict effectively in the workplace. Top reasons for failure is lack of managerial training, fear of escalation and inadequate conflict resolution policies and processes:
https://www.thehrdirector.com/business-news/the-workplace/thehrdirector-poll-delivers-damning-result-conflict-resolution/
Micro-retirements: social media fad or the future of work?
While retiring in the near future is out of the question for the vast majority of people in their twenties and thirties, some younger workers have discovered the next best option – micro-retirements. First coined in 2007 by Timothy Ferriss in his self-help book The 4-Hour Workweek, the idea of taking short career breaks every few years has gained traction nearly two decades later, particularly among younger workers on TikTok. People Management has more on this:
https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1908313/micro-retirements-social-media-fad-future-work
Are Entry-Level Jobs Going Away? The Hidden Workforce Shift
Are entry-level jobs going away? Once, new graduates could find jobs that required little to no prior experience, allowing them to build skills while earning a paycheck. But today, many of those same positions demand years of work history, leaving young professionals in a frustrating cycle—unable to get a job because they don’t have experience, but unable to get experience because they can’t get a job. Are companies eliminating entry-level jobs, or are they simply changing in ways that make them harder to access? Forbes has more here:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianehamilton/2025/03/01/are-entry-level-jobs-going-away-the-hidden-workforce-shift/
10. Employment News in the Media ⚓︎
Kainos, the Belfast-based IT firm, is making 190 of its staff redundant. It currently employs about 3,000 people, mostly in Northern Ireland. In December, the company replaced its recently-installed chief executive after warning shareholders that full year sales would be below market expectations. More from the BBC:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdrx33k3836o
Gibson Dunn, one of the highest-paying law firms in the UK, has suggested Gen Z lawyers require more “hand-holding” as junior employees across the industry push back against long hours and criticism. The firm’s London office is looking for a professional support lawyer to provide targeted training for young staff. A job advert for the role initially cited the need for “more hand-holding/explaining [is] needed for Gen Z/ post-lockdown”. More from Irish Legal News:
https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/england-ad-seeks-hand-holding-lawyer-for-gen-z-solicitors
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced a new investment of more than £1 million in pay increases for all employees in the region. Staff across the retailer’s 43-store network and regional distribution centre in Nutt’s Corner will see an annual uplift in pay averaging 3%, or an additional £825 in take home pay per employee per year on average. The pay increases will take effect on March 1, 2025. It means that Lidl Northern Ireland store and warehouse employees will see their hourly rate rise from £12.05 to £12.40. Read more here:
https://www.northernirelandworld.com/news/people/lidl-announces-pay-rises-and-confirms-its-position-as-northern-irelands-highest-paying-supermarket-5016096
11. GB Developments
Employment law is a devolved power in Northern Ireland. The items in this section apply throughout GB only (Scotland and England & Wales) unless we specify they apply to NI.
GB Employment Rights Bill: Six key changes to trade union laws
The Westminster government has confirmed the amendments it will make to the GB Employment Rights Bill as it prepares to update the law within which trade unions operate. In its response to the consultation it launched in October, the Department for Business and Trade said it would ensure industrial relations are underpinned by “collaboration, proportionality, accountability”, balancing the interests of workers, business and the public. More:
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/employment-rights-bill-six-key-changes-to-trade-union-laws/
CIPD: Clear implementation plan will be key to ensuring the Employment Rights Bill is workable
The UK Government has made amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, which the CIPD says have provided more clarity on some of the measures in the Bill, such as those around Statutory Sick Pay and collective consultations. The extra detail will help employers plan for the changes, but we remain concerned that some of the measures could prove difficult to implement and may bring unintended consequences – namely those around zero hours contracts and trade union recognition:
https://www.cipd.org/en/about/news/more-consultation-employers-key-to-ensuring-employment-rights-bill-workable-says-cipd
Westminster Government responds to fire and re-hire and collective redundancy consultation
The Government in Westminster has published its response to its consultation on strengthening remedies against abuse of rules on collective redundancy and fire and rehire in GB. The key takeaway is that it’s abandoned interim relief but doubled the protective award to 180 days. More from Daniel Barnett here:
https://mailchi.mp/emplawservices/employment-rights-bill-2uvt8tjymq?e=7e2d01bd45
GB Zero-hour contract ban to include agency workers
Agency workers in GB will be included in a ban on "exploitative" zero hour contracts as part of amendments to the government's employment reform bill, the BBC understands. The new rules will mean that agency workers will have to be offered a contract guaranteeing a minimum number of hours each week as one of a number of additions to the Employment Rights Bill. The
BBC has more on this:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c981p02kgxeo
Ministers expected to axe GB ‘right to switch off’ in coming week
The policy was a central part of Sir Keir Starmer’s manifesto promise of a “New Deal for Working People” aimed at strengthening employment rights. It did not appear in the Employment Bill which is currently making its way through Parliament, but there were promises from ministers it would emerge in future. However, that has now changed, and ministers are expected to say in the coming week that the policy has been dropped, when they table a series of amendments to the Bill reports City AM:
https://www.cityam.com/ministers-expected-to-axe-right-to-switch-off-in-coming-week/
UK risks becoming dumping ground for goods from exploited workers, MPs say
The government must close loopholes that enable firms exploiting workers to undercut British businesses or risk the UK becoming a “dumping ground” for goods made in poor conditions, MPs have said. The business and trade select committee calls on the government to make it mandatory for companies to say how they will tackle modern slavery in their supply chain and to introduce bigger penalties for firms that do not comply, including “naming and shaming” businesses. The Guardian has more:
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/mar/03/uk-risks-becoming-dumping-ground-for-goods-from-exploited-workers-mps-say
12. Health and Safety Developments ⚓︎
The Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2025/36/contents/made
13. Friends of Legal Island ⚓︎
LRA Corporate Plan 2025-2029 - Draft for Consultation
Our friends at the LRA have published their draft Corporate Plan for 2025-2029 which sets out the context in which the Labour Relations Agency works and outlines their plans for the next four years. You can watch a video where Chief Executive, Mark McAllister, invites responses to the consultation by 31 March 2025:
https://www.lra.org.uk/publications/corporate-plan-2025-2029-draft-consultation
14. Free Webinars This Month ⚓︎
TODAY: Employment Law at 11: preparing for change in 2025
Join us for the (re-scheduled) first Employment Law at 11 webinar of 2025 and get ready for change!
Big changes are on the horizon for employment legislation in Northern Ireland, and HR professionals need to be ready. Join us for a focused 45-minute webinar where Christine Quinn of Legal Island will chair the discussion, with legal expertise from Seamus McGranaghan of O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors, to help you prepare for what’s coming in 2025 and beyond.
We’ll cover:
• 'Good Jobs' Bill
• Draft Programme for Government
• Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave)
Understand how these developments could impact your organisation and what steps you can take to stay ahead.
Bring your questions and Christine will put them to Seamus live!
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.
NOTE: – Send your questions in advance to gosia@legal-island.com. Anonymity assured.
REGISTER HERE: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9185486610050105433?source=WR
All of our Legal Island webinar recordings and searchable transcriptions are posted online within this section of our employment law hub and are available to stream and research:
Legal Island | Webinars and Podcasts
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