Advertise on podcast: HR & Employment Law for Northern Ireland - inc Employment Law at 11

Think you’ve seen it all in recruitment?  Think again. In This 45-minute webinar hosted by Legal Island in partnership with MCS Group, get the inside scoop on what’s really shaping hiring and how to hit the ground running in 2026. What to expect: •    Understand how last year’s shifts in HR roles, sector trends and candidate expectations are shaping recruitment in 2026 •    Explore how candidates and employers are using AI from CV optimisation to predictive hiring and what it means for your strategy •    Practical tips to reduce costs, streamline workflows and make automation work with your people, not against them Stay ahead of salary trends, new role types and sector specific insights that will define the year ahead! Julie hosts a Q and A with recruitment experts Rebekah Mulligan, Senior Recruitment Consultant - HR – MCS UK & Ireland and Associate Recruitment Consultant Tara Duffy, so you leave with answers, ideas and a sharper 2026 hiring toolkit.

 Cold and flu season is around the corner – are you ready? Catch up with our monthly Employment Law at 11 webinar to get practical guidance on managing sickness absence, including SSP, OSP, reporting obligations, and holiday entitlements. Stay compliant and support your team with confidence! 

Vague, contradictory, or poorly drafted contracts can cost employers dearly, and Northern Ireland tribunals are making that crystal clear. Employment Law at 11 regulars Christine Quinn of Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan of O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors are joined this month by special guest Jason Elliott BL for a focused session unpacking recent decisions that show exactly how unclear wording can backfire. We break down: •             O’Neill & Durkan v Belfast HSC Trust – Contract void for uncertainty, holiday pay awarded. •             Cassidy v Doma (NI) Ltd – Confusing notice clauses? Claimant wins one month’s notice pay. •             Sweeney v Western Urgent Care Ltd – Pay basis unclear? Unlawful deduction claim upheld. •             McKay v Adatar Ltd – Missing clarity on notice and holiday pay? Another win for the claimant. You’ll leave with: •             Real-world examples of what not to do in contract drafting •             Steps to tighten up your employment terms and conditions •             Insights on how tribunals approach ambiguity Don’t wait until you’re in front of a tribunal, get your contracts right from the start. Please note that the employment law matters discussed in this webinar apply primarily to Northern Ireland.  

In this MCS Lunch and Learn webinar Julie from Legal Island is joined by leading recruitment experts Ryan Calvert and Rebekah Mulligan. In the first quarter of 2025, the business and recruitment landscape has already been reshaped by macroeconomic, socio-economic, and political forces. Policy changes, inflationary pressures, and shifts in the labour market are compelling organisations across the UK and Northern Ireland to reassess their HR strategies. As workforce dynamics continue to evolve and skills demands grow, it’s essential for HR professionals to adapt their approaches to remain competitive and effectively meet new challenges. In this 45-minute webinar, Ryan and Rebekah share the latest trends in recruitment, exploring how organisations are addressing skills shortages, meeting the demand for flexible work, and adapting to the changing expectations of today’s candidates. From the rise of AI-assisted applications to the impact of global DEI rollbacks on local employer brands, they outline the trends that will define talent acquisition in 2025 and beyond. In this session, we cover: •    Evolving Hiring Trends – Gain insight into where job demand is expected to increase in the next year. •    Practical Strategies for Addressing Skills Shortages and Talent Demands – Learn how organisations are responding to economic pressures and shifting labour markets. •    Building an Authentic and Competitive Employer Brand – Discover how cultural fit and retention efforts can strengthen your recruitment strategy. Learn how to build trust and strengthen your employer brand in an era where candidates are more informed than ever. Our experts will also discuss how HR teams can stay authentic and competitive in a rapidly shifting environment, ensuring your organisation’s values shine through at every touchpoint, from job adverts to interviews and beyond. Expect practical tips, straight-talking insights, and just enough humour to make your talent challenges feel (almost) manageable.

Restructuring with Respect: Getting It Right With rising concerns around “quiet redundancies”, AI disruption, and economic uncertainty, many employees are feeling unsettled. In this timely webinar, Employment Law at 11 regular Seamus McGranaghan of O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors and special guest Denise Collins of ForeBee Consulting explore how to handle redundancy lawfully and respectfully—from fair processes and communication, to supporting those affected and retaining trust among those who stay. A practical session for anyone involved in difficult workforce decisions.  Please note that the employment law matters discussed in this webinar apply primarily to Northern Ireland.

Is your organisation prepared for the new AI compliance era? With the EU AI Act now in force, for many employers AI literacy is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a legal and operational necessity. This webinar explains exactly what AI literacy means in the context of today’s workplace, how to effectively deliver it across your organisation, and the consequences of failing to act.  This is a practical and informative session tailored to HR, compliance, learning & development, and leadership teams. Learn how to safeguard your organisation while empowering staff to use AI responsibly, ethically, and in compliance with evolving legislation. You’ll gain insight into:  •    Why is everyone talking about AI Literacy suddenly? •    What AI literacy looks like in practice—and why it’s broader than just tech know-how  •    The risks of low literacy levels for individuals and organisations alike  •    The legal implications of the EU AI Act and data protection rules  •    Strategies for embedding AI literacy through eLearning and cultural transformation  •    How to future-proof your organisation’s use of AI and GenAI tools •    How to measure for improvements in AI Literacy •    What are the costs and risks of doing nothing here? Speaker : Barry Phillips, Chairman, Legal Island  Barry is a passionate advocate of responsible use of AI in the workplace, arguing that the goal of employers now should be to become “Super worker” organisations where all employees are empowered and upskilled by AI. He has delivered numerous presentations, webinars and workshops to hundreds of organisations on GenAI since the beginning of 2023. He is also author of “ChatGPT in HR – A Practical Guide for Employers and HR Professionals” (2025) available on Amazon and at other booksellers online.

This month's Employment Law at 11 is a Diversity & Inclusion Special. Regular panelist Seamus McGranaghan of O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors and Legal Island’s Christine Quinn explore the evolving challenges in the DEI landscape. With increasing global scrutiny and backlash against DEI initiatives, spurred on in no small part by the Trump White House, this FREE webinar will examine whether these initiatives should continue, how businesses can respond to shifting expectations, and what practical approaches can be taken in the current climate.  We’ll address questions such as: 1.    Should DEI initiatives continue, or is it time for a different approach? 2.    How can employers in Northern Ireland sustain DEI initiatives amid global challenges? 3.    How can organisations demonstrate the value of DEI to employees and stakeholders?

Barry Phillips, author of the brand new groundbreaking book “ChatGPT in HR – a Practical Guide for Employers and HR Professionals”, reveals five powerful ways Generative AI is already transforming HR. Barry challenges outdated assumptions, tackling key issues such as: 🔹Misconduct redefined – How AI tools are blurring traditional workplace boundaries 🔹AI bans: Time to rethink? – Why prohibiting GenAI could leave your organisation at a considerable disadvantage 🔹The rise of AI Agents – How autonomous AI could reshape HR roles and responsibilities 🔹Dedicated AI coaches for HR? It's so much closer than you think... 🔹The “cloned employee” and the impact of sites such as Synthesia and ElevenLabs AI also presents an opportunity to supercharge HR, boosting its strategic influence like never before. Discover how AI can elevate HR from an operational function to a critical, decision-driving powerhouse at the heart of your organisation.

Julie Holmes from Legal Island is joined by recruitment experts Ryan Calvert and Rebekah Mulligan from MCS Group sharing key insights on 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.  This isn’t just another webinar—it’s your toolkit for 2025 success!

Selecting the right GenAI tool could be your organisation’s most important decision for 2025. In this webinar, we explore the pros and cons of both ChatGPT and Copilot to help you determine which is the better fit for your HR team and workforce. This 40-minute webinar 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. Louise Phillips from Employment Hero will show you how existing HR software is evolving to integrate AI into existing platforms. After attending this webinar you will understand: + Why ChatGPT is leading the AI revolution at work + Why Copilot may yet still claim the No.1 spot in the workplace + The pros and cons of each of the two models for your workplace + The extra data security issues you MUST know for both tools + Cost differentials between ChatGPT v Copilot + How HR software is evolving with AI to reduce admin across the employment cycle Presenters:  Barry Phillips is Chairman of Legal-Island one of the UK and Ireland’s leading legal compliance companies. He is host of the UK’s first podcast on AI specifically for HR and a regular speaker on AI tools such as ChatGPT. Barry is a qualified barrister, author and trainer. Louise Phillips at Employment Hero brings a unique blend of expertise in HR technology and strategic alliances. With a focus on leveraging AI to transform HR software, his insights on automation, compliance, and employee engagement aim to equip organisations with the knowledge to make data-driven HR decisions while maintaining a human touch.  Employment Hero is the UK's leading all-in-one Recruitment, HR Software, Payroll & Benefits platform for both employers & employees.

An unstoppable force meets an immovable object – philosophical beliefs in the workplace – Q&A Christine Quinn from Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan Director, O’Reilly Stewart, will discuss your questions on “an unstoppable force meets an immovable object – philosophical beliefs in the workplace”. Did you attend Seamus’ session on philosophical beliefs in the workplace at the Annual Review? If not, now’s your chance to catch up on what you missed!

In HR and feeling left behind by developments or at least the speed of change in AI? Then this webinar is for you. In thirty minutes we explain to you what is important to know in AI to catch up and feel right up-to-date. We understand there’s a lot of jargon, hype and hubris about AI and its potential. We cut right through all of this to present you with all you really need to know. We’ll explain where to start with AI and how to make the most of this amazing development for you personally, for your HR team and your organisation. Programme + Why AI adoption mirrors the adoption of the internet and why it matters + The difference between AI and Gen AI and why its important + Which AI tool is being used most and why? + Why your staff are using it even if you’ve told them they can’t + How to use ChatGPT every time whilst keeping your data safe and secure. + Other GenAI tools suitable for HR + Why the concern for bias and why it’s unlikely to go away soon About the Presenter : Barry Phillips is host of the UK’s first podcast on AI specially for HR. He’s a regular speaker on AI and the use of tools such as ChatGPT

Is your organisation fully compliant with legal requirements around neurodiversity? Championing a neuro-inclusive workplace is an increasingly important part of a diverse workforce here in NI. With the NI Civil Service leading the charge with the release of their “Neurodiversity: NICS Line Manager’s Toolkit”, neurodiversity is never far from the HR headlines. In this edition of Employment Law at 11 regulars Christine Quinn of Legal Island and Seamus McGranaghan of O’Reilly Stewart unpack the legal obligations and best practices for supporting neurodivergent employees. Seamus explores: • What are the legal rights of neurodivergent employees under NI employment law? • How can employers meet their duty to provide reasonable adjustments? • What are the legal risks of failing to accommodate neurodiversity in the workplace?

With a new Labour government in GB, the ‘Good Jobs’ consultation in NI and recent changes in ROI we’re all playing catch up on the divergence of laws between the neighbouring jurisdictions. Emma Grossmith, Managing Associate, Lewis Silkin (NI) LLP and Catherine Hayes, Managing Associate, Lewis Silkin LLP ROI discuss recent, and upcoming, changes to: 1. Zero-hours contracts 2. Family rights 3. Domestic abuse

DEI expert Conor Curran, draws breath after the general and local election results to consider (DEI) manifesto promises. With a focus on workplace diversity & employment / equality law. This webinar provides some insight as to what changes to working practices employers in NI might expect in the future. The question is: when?