Welcome to WWLLQ —your go-to guide as a Legal Island hub subscriber.  We’ve got the latest on upskilling, AI, and even what happens when facial recognition tech meets the school lunch line (yes, really!) From ChatGPT secretly becoming your team’s new best friend (or biggest headache) to the joys of flexible working requests, we’re here to make sure you stay on top of the latest developments… 

Case Law 
 
The recent Tesco Stores Ltd v USDAW case serves as a timely reminder for HR professionals about the importance of collective agreements. In this case, Tesco faced legal challenges over the terms of their collective agreement with the union, highlighting how easily things can go wrong when employment promises aren’t crystal clear. 

Speaking of crystal clear, the Information Commissioner reprimanded a school for its improper use of facial recognition technology in the canteen. The lesson for HR? Paul Upson from Napiers explains when implementing new tech—whether it's in schools or workplaces—privacy laws matter.  

Webinars 

Employment law differs across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Great Britain. HR professionals operating in multiple jurisdictions must stay informed of the differences. Lewis Silkin and Legal Island updated the handy guide to help HR keep up-to-date with comparative laws to avoid legal missteps and ensure compliance across regions.  

In our “Shape of DEI in Northern Ireland” session with Conor Curran, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Queen's University Belfast, the focus was on how recent elections could impact DEI initiatives. It’s a wake-up call for HR to stay proactive—policies that seemed progressive a year ago may need revisiting to reflect changing political landscapes.  

Meanwhile, the “HR’s Role in Addressing Domestic Abuse”webinar underscored how vital it is for businesses to provide resources and support for employees experiencing domestic abuse. Seamus McGranaghan from O’Reilly Stewart and Lindsay Harris from ONUS provided practical guidance.  

AI 

Barry Phillips continued his exploration on all things AI-related and how AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming HR processes—from simplifying expense claims to upskilling teams. However, there are two golden rules for safely using AI: transparency and accountability. Make sure your teams understand the risks of unregulated use, especially when it comes to data privacy and bias management. Banning these tools outright may push employees to use them underground—leading to even bigger challenges.  

Flexible Working 

The rise of flexible working requests continues across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and HR teams must balance business needs with employee well-being. Emma Doherty from Tughans LLP’sguidance underscores the importance of clear communication and reasonable decision-making.  

Contracts, Comebacks, and Cash 

Ensuring that all employees have a written contract of employment is not just best practice—it's legally required. Not all breaks between contracts count as a break in continuous employment and understanding the exceptions can protect your company from unintentional liabilities when rehiring staff. Luckily, Chris Fullerton from Arthur Cox provided answers to not only these questions, but on moral grey areas like sharing tips with staff.   

Lisa Morrison from AAB Peopleoutlined the essentials of managing a successful return-to-work process after sickness absence. Get it right, and you'll boost both employee morale and productivity. 

In a fast-paced digital world, upskilling your employees is no longer optional—it's essential. Zara Mirza from AAB Peoplesays whether it's embracing AI or offering training in leadership and well-being, you need to create a learning culture that aligns with future demands.  

That’s it for this edition! Now you’re armed with the knowledge—whether it's handling flexible work requests or mastering tip-sharing etiquette. We’ll see you next time with more HR gems.