Effective HR Officer

Effective HR Officer

1 Discrimination legislation since 2003
– Sexual orientation
– Religion and philosophical belief
– Age

2 How to avoid discriminating against:
– Part-time workers
– Fixed-term and temporary contract workers

3 Termination of contract and unfair dismissal – essential and practical consequences
– How does a contract terminate?
– Fixed-term contracts
– Mutual agreement
– Frustration
– Termination with and without notice
– Constructive dismissal
– Wrongful dismissal
– Resignations
Potential fair reasons for dismissal:
– Capability (including sickness)
– Conduct
– Redundancy
– Statutory bar
– Retirement
– Some other substantial reason
The concept of ‘reasonableness’
– Who can claim unfair dismissal?
– Remedies for unfair dismissal

4 Dealing with sensitive issues
– Harassment and bullying
– Personal appearance and hygiene
– Ill-health and disability
– Use of the internet
– Drug and alcohol abuse

5 Flexible working and other parental rights
– Flexible working
– Who is eligible?
– The importance of following the procedure
– Potential sex discrimination
– Parental leave
– Time off for dependant care

6 Handling redundancies
– Breaking the bad news
– The importance of consultation
– How to select people for redundancy
– Alternative work and trial periods

7 Variation and breach of contract – changing terms and minimising the risk
How to change the terms of a contract
– Unilateral variation
– Consultation
– Negotiation
– Compensating for changing terms
The risks involved in changing contracts TUPE and variation of contract
Breach of contract
– How can this arise?
– What can employees do about it?
– Breach of contract and restrictive covenants

8 Using restrictive covenants
– What are restrictive covenants?
– Types of restrictive covenants:
– Non-solicitation
– Non-dealing
– Non-poaching
– Non-disclosure
– Non-competition
Is the restrictive covenant reasonable?
– Which employees are covered?
– How long is it for?
– What are the geographical limits?
Remedies for breach of covenant

9 Using compromise agreements
What are they?
When are they used?
What goes in the agreement?
What is the effect on a tribunal application?
How to calculate severance packages