Top 5 for Busy People: 

1. The King's Speech 👑
2. One in seven workers facing a clear violation of their rights ⚠️
3. Job candidate fraud is surging and trust is paying the price 🎭
4. ICO steps in with guidance on AI-generated FOI requests 🤖
5. Return-to-work after mental health absence: who should lead the conversation? 🧠

In other news................ Free defib training - fancy joining us? We're offering one free subscriber spot on our upcoming defibrillator training course, taking place on Friday 12th June, 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Legal Island offices in Antrim - you'll be joining Legal Island staff and it’s first come, first served! Email donna@legal-island.com quickly to claim your place! Save your place and save a life.....🫀

1. Case Law Reviews
2. AI and Employment Law
3. King's Speech
4. Employee Engagement in Modern Workplaces
5. Mental Health Awareness Week 2026
6. One in seven workers experience ‘clear violation’ of rights
7. Job candidate fraud surges as trust erodes
8. Legislation Update
9. World events in the workplace: Antisemitism, inclusion and psychological safety
10. Just in Case You Missed It...
11. HR Developments
12. Friends of Legal Island
13. Employment News in the Media
14. GB Developments
15. Free Webinars This Month

Adan v African Community Centre [2026] Case No: 6001976/2025

Summary Description: 

A break in between contracts with the respondent meant that the claimant did not have two years’ continuous service as required in England and Wales for an unfair dismissal claim.

Claimant: 

A Adan

Respondent: 

African Community Centre

Practical Guidance for Employers:

Whilst the periods of continuous service in England and Wales and Northern Ireland are different the application of the law relating to gap in service is still useful. The fact that there was a break of one month in which the claimant did not undertake any work or duties with the respondent was crucial in breaking that chain and meant that the right not to be unfairly dismissed had not crystallised.

Read the Review in full: Adan v African Community Centre [2026]

Preshur v DHL Supply Chain & Anor [2026] NIIT 16225/25

Summary Description: 

Claimant was not constructively dismissed as there was no fundamental breach of contract when he had faced a number of investigations and disciplinary processes due to interpersonal issues in the workplace.

Claimant: 

Martin Preshur

Respondents: 

DHL Supply Chain
DHL Services Ltd

Practical Guidance for Employers:

The failure to follow proper processes in an investigation/disciplinary setting can be grounds for a fundamental breach of contract (usually breach of the implied term of mutual trust and confidence).  This demonstrates the importance of ensuring that those processes are followed and they are conducted fairly.  This could be shown by the second respondent in this case, and it allowed for the Tribunal to clearly find that there was no fundamental breach of contract or discrimination against the claimant.

Read the Review in full: Preshur v DHL Supply Chain & Anor [2026]

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These case reviews were written by Jason Elliott BL.  NI Tribunal decisions are available on the OITFET website.

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.

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Chinese court orders tech company to pay compensation to sacked employee replaced by AI

A Chinese court has ordered a tech company to pay more than £28,000 in compensation to a former employee who was illegally fired after being replaced with an AI system. The quality assurance professional, identified only as Zhou, was demoted and forced to take a 40 per cent pay cut after his work at the company in the eastern city of Hangzhou was replaced by AI. When Zhou refused to accept the demotion, he was fired. More from The Independent.

ICO issue guidance to help public bodies address AI-generated FOI requests

The Information Commissioner’s Office has published new guidance to help public authorities to manage freedom of information requests generated by artificial intelligence technology. The data watchdog said public authorities are seeing an increase in the volume and complexity of AI-generated FOI submissions, including requests that misquote legislation or require significant clarification before they can be processed, writes Public Technology. Read more.

Jobseekers are challenged by AI-powered applicant tracking systems and rising competition

INTOO’s Culture in the Balance report revealed that 53% of employees are worried about being made redundant in the next 12 months, however the data also shockingly displays that 91% aren’t equipped to look for a new job and would need support. More from HR Director.

EU agrees to delay key AI Act compliance deadlines

Businesses facing the onset of high-risk AI system obligations in August 2026 will now have significantly more time to prepare. This briefing from Travers Smith explains the revised deal, which is still subject to formal adoption, and its implications for compliance deadlines and other important aspects of the AI Act. Read here.

AI for HR Weekly Podcast with Barry Phillips 🎙️

Hub subscribers are beginning to request that our Chairman, Barry covers a particular AI topic in a future podcast. If you have a request, send it to him directly at barry@legal-island.com - he’ll feel like a DJ from the 80s…...🎧

You can tune into the latest episode right here - or, if you’re on the move, why not take us with you?

Listen on all major platforms: 🎧 Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Simply search for “AI for HR Weekly Podcast” and enjoy expert insights anytime, anywhere.

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The key measures in the King's Speech

King Charles has outlined the government's law-making plans for the coming year in a speech to the House of Lords. The speech gave an outline of 37 bills ministers want to pass in the next parliamentary session, including eight previously introduced to Parliament. But the event was overshadowed by the leadership speculation that continues to surround Sir Keir Starmer. The BBC has a summary of the main points.

King’s Speech: Government to strengthen civil service delivery, accountability and productivity

The government will bring forward proposals that “strengthen the delivery, accountability, innovation and productivity” of the civil service in this parliament, the King has said. More from Civil Service World.

And sticking with big changes on the horizon.............

Where’s the Good Jobs Bill?

The Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions invite you to a press event at the steps of Parliament Buildings next Monday. The ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Bill is at the NI Executive for discussion before passing onto our MLAs for First Reading in the NI Assembly. Read more.

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Skill Builder for HR: Employee Engagement in Modern Workplaces

📅Thursday, 21st May

🕒 12:30 - 14:00 (1 hour 30 mins)

📍 Live online 

Struggling with disengaged teams, fractured communication and constant digital overload? This short, high-impact session gives HR professionals practical strategies to rebuild employee engagement, improve focus and strengthen retention. Join Anne Phillipson, Managing Director, Phillipson Performance Partners on 21st May and turn frustration into meaningful progress. BOOK today. 

Legal Island Employment Law Hub Members receive two FREE Skill builder places*

*As part of their subscription - worth £270. T&Cs apply.

Find out more about all the upcoming Skill Builder for HR sessions HERE. 

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In 2025, 17.1 million working days were lost to mental health-related sickness absence, representing one of the primary causes of workplace absenteeism in the UK, according to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Mental health problems have been a key driver of the UK's rising long-term sickness, with millions of employees taking extended time off work due to stress, anxiety and depression. More from Cover magazine.

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At least 14% of UK workers have experienced a ‘clear violation’ of their basic employment rights in the past two years, a major academic study has suggested. The study by a team of researchers for University College London was commissioned by the former Office of the Director of Labour Market Enforcement and published by the Fair Work Agency. The research found that in total, at least 5.4 million workers were:

• paid less than the national minimum wage
• charged illicit work-finding fees, and/or
• not provided legally required payslips, contracts or key information documents, all of which are clear violations of UK employment law.

Personnel Today provides more details here.

Working Lives: the scale and nature of labour market non-compliance in the UK – final report.

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Research from First Advantage’s 2026 Global Workforce Trends Report reveals more than three quarters of hiring professionals surveyed (76%) have encountered falsified candidate employment details during the recruitment process, while nearly half (45%) say they have dealt directly with candidate identity misrepresentation. Personnel Today has more.

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Pension Schemes Act 2026

The Pension Schemes Act 2026 has now been enacted, having received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. It establishes a framework for significant reform across the UK pensions industry, with much of the detailed implementation to follow through secondary legislation and guidance. The full Act is available here.

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After Israel and the USA’s attacks on Iran rekindled antisemitic sentiment and attacks in the UK, Professor Binna Kandola revisits research carried out during the Gaza war, looking at the experiences of Jewish employees in the UK. More here.

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The Employment Law Hub is a comprehensive, jurisdiction-specific resource designed for HR professionals, legal advisors, and business leaders. It centralises essential employment law and HR updates, expertly curated and written by leading HR and legal specialists to provide reliable, practical, and authoritative insights. We have over 700+ in depth articles and 1000+ case law reviews. As a subscriber, you have access to all of this. Check it out the full Hub here and below are some recent articles you may have missed.....

Q&A: Is there a statutory maximum as to the number of hours an employee can work?

Stay ahead of the curve with our exclusive Q&A series, brought to you by leading law firm Arthur Cox. This month’s article examines statutory working time limits under the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016, including what counts towards working hours and when employees may opt out of the 48-hour weekly limit. Read more here.

Q&A: What is a valid opt-out agreement?

Continuing this month’s focus on working time obligations, Madison Bowyer, Associate in the Employment Law Group of Arthur Cox NI, outlines the requirements for valid opt-out agreements, including employee rights, employer responsibilities and the importance of maintaining compliant written records. Find out more here.

Seamus Says..........

‘Seamus Says’ boils down the best bits from Legal Island’s live ‘Employment Law at 11’ webinar into straight-talking takeaways you can actually use. 

Who should lead return-to-work interviews after mental health absence?

We've got someone who's been off on sick leave due to mental health and stress. They've returned to work, and their manager is reluctant to ask them how they are. HR will have to do the return-to-work interview. Is this ok? Read Seamus' answer here.

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Cross border commuting increases as Ireland and Northern Ireland share strong skills commonalities

The labour markets in Ireland and Northern Ireland show strong alignment across several areas including skills priorities, sectoral needs and education trends.

Health, education, manufacturing and retail remain key employment sectors in both jurisdictions.
Cross border workers remain a small proportion of the population but flows from Northern Ireland to Ireland have grown significantly since 2011.

More here.

Why authenticity fails without inclusion in the workplace (and what leaders miss)

Authenticity is often framed as an individual virtue. Be yourself. Speak your truth. Show up fully. But individuals do not exist in a vacuum. They exist inside social systems with norms about what counts as “professional”, “competent”, or “appropriate”. More from GORM.

HR Budget: Efficiency benchmarking insights for CHROs

Benchmark your HR budget approach against peers and make confident investment decisions in a continued environment of cost discipline and AI driven transformation. More from Gartner.

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Public Appointment Opportunity – Board Members required for the Board of the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI)

The Department for the Economy is currently seeking to appoint four new Members to the Board of CITB NI. The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon (BST) on Friday 29 May 2026. More here.

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Lawyers representing Tesco workers have welcomed a Court of Appeal ruling on how tribunals should assess the value of the roles carried out by Tesco shop workers in the long-running equal pay litigation. They described the judgment as an important step towards improving access to justice in large-scale equal pay claims, although Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing said a final decision on the claims is “still a long way off”. Personnel Today has more.

A Muslim employee at NHS England has won her claims of indirect sex discrimination and harassment over its policy to allow transgender colleagues to use toilets and changing rooms that correspond with their gender identity rather than their biological sex. More.

The Information Commissioner’s Office is urging organisations to review their cyber resilience after nearly 634,000 people, including employees, had their personal data compromised at South Staffordshire Water. The ICO and South Staffordshire agreed a reduced fine of £963,900, with the company admitting the infringement in a voluntary settlement. More from Personnel Today.

A facilities manager at national law firm TLT has been banned from working in the legal profession after making inappropriate advances towards junior female colleagues. According to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, John Enright targeted women he did not work with, selecting them based on appearance, and sent them unwanted messages through the firm’s internal system. He also gave gifts of an inappropriate nature during his five-and-a-half years at the Manchester office, leading to the disciplinary action. The Law Gazette has more.

A disabled worker who was sacked after being filmed lifting a bag of potatoes while on sick leave has won a £329,000 payout after taking his former employer to tribunal. Alan Jones was dismissed by Pilkington UK Limited after the company claimed he had been carrying out work for another employer while signed off sick. You can read more on this from the Daily Mail.

Jessica Lazarus, director of legal operations at DWF, put together the conference after receiving her own adult ADHD diagnosis and finding an army of people in the law in similar situations. It is now a strategic imperative for firms to get the best out of their neurodivergent talent. On a basic level, that means open and honest conversations between employers and staff, asking people what they need and trying to accommodate that. More from the Law Gazette.

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NB: Please note these articles relate to GB and do not apply in Northern Ireland, unless otherwise stated.

Harriet Harman to help 'drive culture shift' in civil service through new women-focused role

Veteran politician Harriet Harman will work to drive a cultural shift in the civil service to "boost opportunity for women" as part of a new role advising the prime minister on women and girls. She will draw on work with women across parliament to identify action needed to tackle misogyny and deliver greater opportunity for women in parliamentary and public life. Civil Service World has more on this. 

GB Collective redundancy changes: what employers need to know

The GB Employment Rights Act 2025 ushers in the most significant overhaul of UK (GB) collective redundancy law in decades. With reforms coming into force throughout 2026 and 2027, the new framework materially increases both how often collective consultation will be required and the financial exposure for employers that fall short. Chloe Grant and Leigh Edgar explain how multi-site businesses should prepare for the forthcoming reforms in this article for People Management. Read here.

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Employee Data - What ROI & NI Employers Must Collect, Keep, and Delete

Sponsored by HRLocker 

📅Wednesday, 3rd June 2026 
⏰10am - 11am
📍Online

HR teams in NI and ROI are facing rapid changes around what employee information can be gathered, stored and kept. This free webinar is designed to guide you through what’s required and what to avoid.

Join Julie Holmes from Legal Island for a free webinar with guest Crystel Robbins Rynne, CEO of HRLocker, for a focused 45-minute session that walks you through the full employee journey, from job ads to post-employment. With Crystel’s background as both a CEO and a senior HR leader, you’ll get real-world insight into what you can collect, what you shouldn’t keep, and how long each record can stay on file.

Julie will host the session and support the Q&A, helping translate the guidance into what it means for your organisation in practice.

REGISTER HERE 

Enjoy your weekend!

Legal Island

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