💪Nothing screams masculine energy like a Friday Round-up strutting in like it owns the week. Check out what the Bros at Legal Island have lined up for you this week! 💪
This Week’s Top 5: For Busy People, By Busy People!
✨ Quiet Hiring: Genius team-building or sneaky strategy? You decide.
🚺 Mind the Gap: A QUB study tackles the gender employment divide.
😊 Happiest Workplaces: Who’s smiling big at work? Find out!
🔥 Burnout Busters: Tips to keep your team thriving, not just surviving.
📉 Diversity Setbacks: Meta and Amazon scale back—what’s next as Trump’s inauguration looms?
In other news…………..don’t miss Julie Holmes of Legal Island with Ryan & Rebekah from MCS for a FREE lunchtime webinar this Wednesday. 🖥 “Kickstart 2025 with Confidence: HR Trends & Recruitment Strategies” is your go-to for staying ahead in HR. Register HERE!
Your weekly dose of the latest, delivered fast—so you can get back to your day.
CONTENTS
- Case Law Reviews
- AI and Employment Law
- ‘So immoral’: Gig economy workers charged fee to get paid quicker
- DEI
- Hybrid working
- Business activity in NI private sector fell in December
- Mental Health & Employee Wellbeing
- BrewDog founder says UK is one of ‘least work-oriented countries’
- 1 in 4 Hiring managers say recent grads are unprepared for work
- Just in Case You Missed It...
- HR Developments
- Health and Safety Developments
- Employment News in the Media
- GB Developments
- Friends of Legal Island
- Free Webinars This Month
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1. Case Law Reviews
Duployen v Whyte & Mackay Ltd [2025] EAT 3
Summary Description: No reinstatement ordered when sought by the claimant as it could not be carried into effect with success due to the relationship breaking down with management staff in the respondent.
Claimant: Danny Duployen
Respondent: Whyte & Mackay Limited
Keywords: Unfair Dismissal; Reinstatement
Practical Guidance for Employers:
The issue of reinstatement can be a thorny one considering that such cases usually come when a relationship has either broken down or is, at best, strained. This is especially interesting here considering that it was a constructive dismissal case yet the claimant sought reinstatement. However, the EAT set out the law where reasonably practicable was interpreted as it being carried into effect with success. Considering that the claimant had a strained relationship with managers where he felt they thought he was useless and a nuisance it meant that reinstatement could not be ordered as per the judgment of the EAT.
Read the Review in full:
https://legal-island.com/employment-law-hub/duployen-v-whyte-mackay-ltd-2025
Quitongo v Airdrieonians Football Club & Anor [2024] EAT 201
Summary Description: Appeal allowed in part where a footballer was allegedly subject to racist chants and was dissatisfied with the way in which the club investigated the matter including cutting off contact with his agent.
Claimant: Rico Quitongo
Respondent: Airdrieonians Football Club
Keywords: Race Discrimination; Victimisation
Practical Guidance for Employers:
This case provides a useful point in relation to protected acts for the purpose of victimisation. The act of cutting of communication with the agent was regarded as being to the claimant’s detriment and relating to race. It was not sufficient that the respondent subjectively believed that it was spreading misinformation. Instead, the EAT notes that there is a need to show that the point was false and also made in bad faith.
Read the Review in full:
https://legal-island.com/employment-law-hub/quitongo-v-airdrieonians-football-club-anor-2024
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/
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2. AI and Employment Law
Why you should lead with a ChatGPT first approach to implementing AI in your workplace
This week Barry Phillips argues that if this is the year when HR finally embraces AI we should adopt a “ChatGPT First” approach to implementation.
PM plans to 'unleash AI' across UK to boost growth
The government is to set out plans to use AI across the UK to boost growth and deliver public services more efficiently. The AI Opportunities Action Plan being announced on Monday will be backed by leading tech firms, which are said to have committed £14bn towards various projects, creating 13,250 jobs reports the BBC:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crr05jykzkxo
How the UK’s AI action plan transforms learning and development
The UK government announced it’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has three key goals:
- To lay the foundations for AI
- To change lives by embracing AI
- To secure the UK’s future with homegrown AI.
These goals are interconnected and aim to position the UK as a leader in AI development and adoption. The Training Journal explores these in more detail and what this means for your organisation:
https://www.trainingjournal.com/2025/content-type/features/shaping-the-future-how-the-uks-ai-action-plan-transforms-learning-and-development/
ICO Statement in response to AI Action Plan
Stephen Almond, Executive Director for Regulatory Risk at the ICO, said:
“We welcome the AI Action Plan and the Government’s commitment to accelerate the use of AI across the economy. We look forward to working closely with the Government to implement the plan as a priority and ensure that these proposals maximise AI’s significant opportunities while protecting the public.” You can read the full statement here:
https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/media-centre/news-and-blogs/2025/01/statement-in-response-to-ai-action-plan
Why Are Employers Playing Hard to Get with ChatGPT or Copilot?
In a week in which the UK Prime Minister is promising to unleash AI in the UK Barry Phillips ask why is it that employers seem reluctant to embrace GenAI in the workplace.
Why Are Employers Playing Hard to Get with ChatGPT or Copilot?
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💰Paying to get paid…………we’ve heard it all now…………! 💰
3. So immoral’: Gig economy workers charged fee to get paid quicker
Retail assistants have accused a gig economy firm of “holding them to ransom” by making them pay a fee if they want to receive their wages within 30 days. A new payment system brought in by YoungOnes, which supplies “freelance” retail assistants to many well-known high street stores, charges gig workers 4.8% of their earnings to be paid in one minute or 2.9% to be paid in three days. If they decline, they typically have to wait 30 days. Previously the workers were paid in three days, without a charge reports the Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/11/so-immoral-gig-economy-workers-forced-to-pay-fee-to-receive-their-wages
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4. DEI
Closing the Gender Employment Gap
A Queen’s University study explores the gender employment gap in Northern Ireland and the UK, focusing on motherhood penalties, caregiving roles, and gender norms. The research offers solutions to advance workplace equity and identifies potential policy solutions to closing this gap:
https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/publications/closing-gender-employment-gap
Addleshaw Goddard establishes dedicated fertility and pregnancy policy to support staff
Law firm Addleshaw Goddard has a dedicated policy in place to offer its employees fertility and pregnancy support. It has 2,915 employees across its global offices, including the UK, Europe, Middle East and Asia. In 2023, the firm updated its in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) policy to create a more extensive and generous fertility benefit. This gives staff up to four days of paid leave per treatment cycle for medical appointments in both the investigation and treatment stage. Partners of those going through treatment, meanwhile, are entitled to take up to two days of paid leave per treatment cycle. Employee Benefits has more on this:
https://employeebenefits.co.uk/menopause-fertility-and-pregnancy/addleshaw-goddard-establishes-dedicated-fertility-and-pregnancy-policy-to-support-staff/280149.article
NI Civil Service dignity at work investigations more than double in a year
The number of Civil Service dignity at work investigations has more than doubled in just 12 months. There were 20 probes in the last year — more than the two previous years combined. One MLA described the figures as “incredibly concerning”. There are around 23,000 permanent Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) staff across Stormont’s nine departments, in addition to several thousand agency workers. More from the Belfast Telegraph:
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/ni-civil-service-dignity-at-work-investigations-more-than-double-in-a-year/a827915966.html
Meta, Amazon scale back diversity programmes ahead of Trump inauguration
Facebook owner Meta Platforms and Amazon.com are winding down diversity programmes ahead of Republican Donald Trump's return to the US presidency as conservative opposition to such initiatives grows louder. Meta is ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes, including those for hiring, training and picking suppliers, it said in an internal memo to employees on Friday - the latest in a series of actions cheered by conservatives. More from RTÉ:
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0113/1490450-meta-and-amazon-scale-back-diversity-programmes/
But some are resisting the rising tide……………….
Apple pushes back on call to end diversity programme
Apple's board has asked its investors to vote against a proposal to end its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programmes. It comes after a conservative group, the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), called on the technology giant to abolish its DEI policies, saying they expose firms to "litigation, reputational and financial risks". More from the BBC:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjex3878z3wo
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5. Hybrid working
The debate rumbles on………………and BBC Panorama will be covering this very topic - "Should we still be working from home?” – on Monday. Find out more here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00276pd
Zero civil service home-working 'should be the baseline' – Lord Maude
Zero home working should be the baseline right across the civil service, former minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude has said. Speaking during a debate in the House of Lords on office attendance in the civil service, Lord Maude said it is “much easier to manage hybrid working or working from home if you start from the baseline of people working in the office” and that there should be "no entitlement” to work from home writes Civil Service World:
https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/maude-says-zero-civil-service-home-working-should-be-the-baseline-in-lords-debate
WPP staff petition against four-day office return
Staff at advertising giant WPP have launched a petition ahead of the introduction of a four-day office return policy. A group of “concerned WPP employees” are collecting signatures from colleagues, claiming the firm’s decision is “a step backwards” in a post-pandemic working world. The petition, which has so far been signed by nearly 2,500 people, urges Read and WPP’s decision-makers to “reconsider this mandate and adopt a policy that respects and prioritises the wellbeing and preferences of its employees” reports Personnel Today:
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/wpp-staff-petition-against-four-day-office-return/
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6. Business activity in NI private sector fell in December
Business activity in Northern Ireland's private sector fell in December for the first time in more than a year, according to a survey by Ulster Bank. Every month it asks firms across the private sector about their order books, staffing levels and exports in what is considered a reliable indicator of economic performance. Last month saw a drop in business activity at companies in Northern Ireland and a further fall in new orders. Despite this, firms continued to take on staff. More from BBC News:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w8qq15qwpo
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7. Mental Health & Employee Wellbeing
As the January Blues well and truly kick-in, there’s a rise in stories this week about employees struggling………..
TUC poll – 1 in 6 workers have skipped a meal to make ends meet
One in six (17%) of full or part time workers have skipped a meal every day (2%), most days (8%) or every week (7%) to reduce their spending in the last 3 months, according to new YouGov polling published by the TUC. The poll of 2544 adults in the UK - of which 1,513 were adults working full or part time - shows that many workers are continuing to struggle with the cost of living:
https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/tuc-poll-1-6-workers-have-skipped-meal-regularly-past-three-months-make-ends-meet
How to guard against burnout in the workplace
According to a survey by Legatics in 2024, 92% of lawyers have experienced stress or burnout due to their job, with 25% experiencing it daily. Professionals across various industries are facing the same challenges and consequences – mental health is becoming a crisis that demands our immediate attention. This article from the Scottish Herald looks at how businesses can create a culture that nurtures mental wellbeing while driving sustainable performance:
https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/24840986.guard-burnout-workplace/
Working parents increasingly stressed
The Annual Modern Families Index 2025 from Bright Horizons, the community and workplace nursery provider found 29% of working parents feel very stressed – comprising 32% of women and 26% of men. Eight out of 10 of those reporting very high levels of stress said that it makes it hard for them to focus at work. Data taken from the past five years shows just how stark the difference is between the highs and lows of employer support. After reaching its highest point in 2023, the index is now reporting a slow decline. More from Personnel Today:
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/working-parents-stress-modern-families-index-2025-bright-horizons/
Stress-related illness forces over 600 NI ambulance staff off work in past three years, figures show
More than 600 members of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) were forced to take time off work due to stress-related illness over the last three years. Some 644 ambulance staff in Northern Ireland required sick leave for stress, anxiety or depression between 2020 and 2022, according to figures released by the NIAS in response to a Freedom of Information request from Belfast Live:
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/stress-related-illness-forces-over-30769636
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💪The ‘Bro’ band-wagon is strong this week, who else is jumping aboard with Elon and Mark…………….? 💪
8. BrewDog founder says UK is one of ‘least work-oriented countries’
BrewDog co-founder James Watt has said the UK is ‘one of the world’s least work-oriented countries’, in defence of his criticism of people’s obsession with work-life balance. Last week, Watt, who stood down as chief executive of the Punk IPA brewer in May 2024, said in a video on social media that he thinks “the whole concept of work-life balance was invented by people who hate the work that they do. So if you love what you do, you don’t need work-life balance, you need work-life integration”. Personnel Today has more on this:
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/brewdog-founder-says-uk-is-one-of-least-work-oriented-countries/
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9. 1 in 4 Hiring managers say recent grads are unprepared for work
A survey from Intelligent.com of 1,000 US hiring managers involved in entry-level recruitment reveals significant scepticism about recent grads’ readiness for the workforce. According to the December 2024 survey, 24 per cent of hiring managers believe recent college graduates are unprepared for the workforce, while 33 per cent cite a lack of work ethic, and 29 per cent view them as entitled. Additionally, 27 per cent feel recent graduates are easily offended, and 25 per cent say they don’t respond well to feedback. Global Recruiter has more here:
https://www.theglobalrecruiter.com/1-in-4-hiring-managers-say-recent-grads-are-unprepared-for-work/
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10. Just in Case You Missed It...
New Year, New Gear? Aiming for HR Excellence with ChatGPT or Copilot in 2025? Which is better and why?
Catch up with this 40-minute webinar with our CEO, Barry Phillips and Louise from Employment Hero, which will help you learn how to pick the best GenAI tool for your team, ensure your data stays secure, and discover practical ways to reduce admin workload. Listen here:
https://legal-island.com/employment-law-hub/new-year-new-gear-aiming-for-hr-excellence-with-chatgpt-or-copilot-in-2025-which-is-better-and-why
Workplace Investigations: Handling Sensitive Cases with Fairness and Care - How do I handle it?
Emma Doherty from the Employment team at Tughans LLP answers this month’s query:
We are in the process of carrying out a disciplinary investigation into sexual harassment complaints against a senior manager. A key witness does not wish to put their name on their statement because they are afraid that the senior manager will punish them in some way. How do I handle it?
You can read the answer here:
https://legal-island.com/employment-law-hub/workplace-investigations-handling-sensitive-cases-with-fairness-and-care
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11. HR Developments
World’s Happiest Workplaces Announced
The official World’s Happiest Workplaces 2025 List has been published by the leading employee experience platform, WorkL, showcasing the happiest workplaces globally. The Top 3 UK workplaces include:
- TUI UK – Travel and Leisure
- ServiceNow – Technology
- Ferguson UK – Construction and Building Materials
HRD Connect has the full list here:
https://www.hrdconnect.com/2025/01/14/worlds-happiest-workplaces-announced/
Five years of hybrid working fuels historic performance challenges
Research of HR professionals* found that over half (55%) said that managing historic performance was the biggest challenge when it comes to performance management. Remote and hybrid working made it difficult to monitor and address performance and now the longer term effects of the workplace of the last five years could be this historic underperformance that HR is now battling. More from HR Director:
https://www.thehrdirector.com/business-news/hybrid-work/five-years-hybrid-working-fuels-historic-performance-challenges/
Is quiet hiring a stealthy way to build up your teams?
The word is out on quiet hiring, so what do employers need to know in order to develop their organisations using this method? More from Silicon Republic:
https://www.siliconrepublic.com/advice/quiet-hiring-stealthy-build-up-teams-employee-employer-advice
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12. Health and Safety Developments
Search begins for new board members for the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland
The Department for the Economy has launched a public appointment competition to appoint up to four new members to the board of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI). Closing date for applications is 12pm on 7 February 2025 and details of the competition are available on the DfE website:
https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/articles/department-economy-public-appointments
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13. Employment News in the Media
A blind man who sued a bakery after he was sacked for allegedly dropping bread and making mistakes has won a £18,500 payout. Ian Stanley, 38, was let go just six weeks into his three-month probationary period at The Village Bakery in Coedpoeth, Wrexham. The company, which employs 170 at the plant where he worked, claimed he was axed on health and safety grounds - saying production was hit and there was a risk of damage because of his mistakes. More:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14287497/blind-man-wins-compensation-bakery-dropping-bread-sacked.html
A Beeston office worker took more than £20,000 in sick pay from her employer while falsely claiming she had contracted HIV from being raped, had cancer, and was going through radiotherapy. Emma Rorison created her own sick notes using the names of actual doctors to support her claims but when she was asked if her firm could have access to her medical records to check, she flatly refused. In total, she claimed £22,102.92 in sick pay from insurance provider Domestic and General, who dismissed her from her role when the fraud was uncovered, Nottingham Crown Court heard. Nottinghamshire Live has more on this:
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/took-20k-sick-pay-claiming-9865757
A former commercial director at London law firm Mishcon de Reya (MdR) has won his claim for constructive unfair dismissal, in part over the non-payment of commission he was due. Employment Judge Walker held that the firm’s actions – which included meetings about improving Paul Hemmings’ performance when it had been acknowledged that a failure to meet sales targets was not his fault – amounted to a breach of the duty of trust and confidence reports Legal Futures:
https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/top-law-firm-unfairly-dismissed-commercial-director
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) work coach and car crash victim Alison McRobbie had been showing off a new office chair designed to make her more comfortable to fellow staff member Josie Hooper, an employment tribunal heard. But to her shock, her co-worker sat in the chair and made the 'unflattering' comparison to the world-famous physicist who was confined to a wheelchair for most of his life. The tribunal found that 'very sensitive' Miss McRobbie may have 'misunderstood' the incident but ruled that Ms Hooper had harassed her by the way her remark 'drew particular attention' to her disability. She is now set to receive compensation from the government. The Daily Echo has more:
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24840182.woman-wins-claims-unflattering-stephen-hawking-joke/
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14. 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.
Zero-hours laws in GB could boost ‘false self-employment’
New legislation in GB around zero-hours working risks enveloping agency workers and pushing companies into promoting ‘false self-employment’, a parliamentary committee has heard. The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee inquiry on the Employment Rights Bill was told by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Neil Carberry chief executive that agency workers should be exempt from much of the new legislation covering zero-hours workers as agency workers had a “fundamentally different, two-sided, flexible model of engagement”. More:
https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/zero-hours-laws-could-boost-false-self-employment/
Case for statutory paid miscarriage leave in GB ‘overwhelming’, say MPs
Paid bereavement leave should be granted to all women who experience miscarriage and their partners, a report by the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) has recommended. Since April 2020, employees have been entitled to two weeks of statutory parental bereavement leave and pay if they or their partner lose a child under 18 years old or experience a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. The WEC stated it intends to table amendments to the employment rights bill to extend these rights to employees who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. More from People Management:
https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1902400/case-statutory-paid-miscarriage-leave-overwhelming-say-mps
Labour's controversial workers' rights bill risks becoming 'an adventure playground for employment rights lawyers', business chiefs warn
Labour's controversial workers’ rights charter risks becoming ‘an adventure playground for employment rights lawyers’, the president of the CBI said. Rupert Soames urged ministers to think again about measures in the Employment Rights Bill, which he warned would cost jobs and damage growth. The legislation, which is expected to come into force next year, will scrap anti-strike laws brought in by the last Conservative government and introduce a string of new employment rights championed by the trade unions. More from the Daily Mail:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14280431/Labours-workers-rights-bill-playground-lawyers.html
Over 2,000 new Post Office scandal compensation claims – minister
More than 2,000 new compensation claims have been made in the last month by people who believe they are also victims of the Post Office scandal, a government minister has said. Many of the more than 4,000 original claimants are still waiting for compensation to be paid, reports the BBC:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5ydx43x5r3o
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15. Friends of Legal Island
Maxol CEO Brian Donaldson appointed new CBI Northern Ireland Chair
Brian Donaldson, one of the most experienced all-island business leaders, is the new CBI Northern Ireland Chair. Brian takes up this position at a critical time as the global economy enters a new phase of protectionism and Northern Ireland’s economy navigates its way through an energy transition. Brian is CEO of The Maxol Group and has stepped up from CBI Northern Ireland’s Vice-Chair position. He took over from Richard Gillan, Managing Partner, Grant Thornton Northern Ireland, who has been re-appointed Vice Chair after two years as Chair. Congratulations Brian from Legal Island! More here from CBI:
https://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/articles/maxol-ceo-brian-donaldson-appointed-new-cbi-northern-ireland-chair/
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16. Free Webinars This Month
Kickstart 2025 with Confidence: HR Trends and Recruitment Strategies with MCS Group
22nd January 2025 (12 noon - 12.45pm)
Calling all HR professionals! Looking for fresh insights to lead your recruitment strategy in 2025? Join us for a FREE 45-minute lunch-and-learn webinar on 22 January 2025, hosted by Legal Island in partnership with MCS Group.
Recruitment experts Ryan and Rebekah will be bringing together the top trends, tools, and takeaways to help you stand out in the competitive world of talent acquisition:
- Learn from 2024’s lessons: See how last year’s key developments are shaping the hiring strategies of tomorrow.
- Simplify and save: Discover smart ways to cut costs, streamline processes, and harness automation.
- Win the war for talent: Get expert tips to engage candidates and secure standout hires in a competitive market.
- Plan for what’s next: Stay ahead with insights into emerging job roles, salary shifts, and sector-specific demands.
Plus, Julie from Legal Island will be on hand to pose your questions directly to Ryan and Rebekah, making sure you leave with the answers and actionable insights you need. This isn’t just another webinar—it’s your toolkit for 2025 success! Grab your lunch, reserve your spot, and get ready to learn with Ireland’s recruitment leaders to elevate your hiring strategy.
Register here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/393202294472814432?source=WR+NI
Check out previous discussions:
https://www.legal-island.com/resources/any-questions-webinars/
Enjoy the weekend.
Legal-Island
