The Work Agenda

In this episode of the Future of Work Hub's ‘In Conversation’ podcast, Lucy Lewis is joined by Stephen Isherwood, Chief Executive of the Institute of Student Employers (ISE). With over two decades’ experience at the forefront of graduate recruitment and early-careers strategy, Stephen shares insights on the current state of the graduate and early careers market and what this means for employers' long-term succession pipelines.  They discuss the growing impact of AI on early career roles, the shift towards skills-based hiring, and how significant demographic changes, including falling birth rates and longer working lives, are set to reshape how organisations plan for their future people needs.

Our Beyond Borders podcast series is designed to help you manage your international workforce and navigate the quirks of international employment law. In this episode, we are joined by US employment law experts David Garland and Shira Blank to demystify the realities of employing staff in the United States. They explore why “at‑will” employment is only part of the picture, the challenges of simultaneously navigating federal, state and city laws, and the litigation risks international employers need to be aware of.

In this episode, Tarun Tawakley and our industrial relations expert David Hopper discuss recent and forthcoming changes affecting trade unions under the Employment Rights Act with practical takeaways for both unionised and non-unionised businesses.

The US has become a real-world test case for pay transparency, with states rolling out their own versions of rules on salary disclosure, pay equity, and hiring practices. But what’s actually changed, and what hasn’t?In this episode, Tom Heys and David Lorimer are joined by Lulu Seikaly from Payscale to unpack the US experience. They explore how state-level laws are working in practice and the challenges employers are facing. They also look ahead to Europe’s Pay Transparency Directive: how it compares to the US approach, where it may run into trouble, and what employers should be doing now to prepare.This episode cuts through the theory and gets into the reality of making pay transparency work.

Northern Ireland is set to become the first part of the UK to introduce statutory paid miscarriage leave from 6 April 2026. In this episode, Emmie and Johanna break down the new regulations and what employers need to do before April 2026.

Romania’s name traces back to the Roman Empire, but its employment law regime is firmly rooted in the modern EU framework. In this episode, Tom Heys and David Lorimer are joined by Adelina Iftime-Blagean from Wolf Theiss to explore how Romania is approaching the EU’s Pay Transparency Directive. Armed with draft legislation hot off the press, with the ink still drying, the conversation looks at how Romania is tackling the PTD’s challenges, and how legacy pay decisions, like the Romanian proverb says, can have a remarkable tendency to stick around.

To mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026, corporate partner, Katey Dixon, talks to employment associate, Jen Kingsmill, about how founders can build a neuroinclusive business and why it’s important to think about neurodiversity before hiring your first employee. They discuss the legal obligations start-up businesses need to be aware of and share creative ways of supporting any neurodivergent applicants or staff whilst operating on a tight budget.

AI is changing how employees bring employment disputes and how lawyers respond to them—and we all need to keep up. We look at what happens when employees turn to AI tools (sometimes getting it wrong), how legal teams can navigate this shift and make the most of AI themselves, and what a good workplace AI policy should look like to account for evolving uses.This episode is part of a mini-series covering the topics discussed at The Work Agenda 2026 conference, we hope you enjoy listening. Remember to share with colleagues and if you do have any comments, we would love to hear them.

In this episode Leeanne Armstrong chats to Kate Nicholl, MLA and member of the Economy Committee, tasked with helping to bring the highly anticipated ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Rights Bill to law in Northern Ireland. Kate and Leeanne discuss the importance of  the proposed family friendly reforms in NI, as well as the current status of the bill, the stages required to bring it into law, and whether it will pass at all within the current Assembly mandate.

The red tape and costs associated with a contingent workforce will be increasing throughout 2026 and beyond. We discussed the complex new requirements under the Employment Rights Act.The Act also introduces significant reforms to the regulation of umbrella companies and new responsibilities for payroll tax compliance bite in April 2026. We also looked at the government’s plans to make right to work checks compulsory for wider working arrangements with the associated civil and criminal sanctions for non compliance applicable.This episode is part of a mini-series covering the topics discussed at The Work Agenda 2026 conference, we hope you enjoy listening. Remember to share with colleagues and if you do have any comments, we would love to hear them.

Technical defences alone won’t stop misuse, error or rogue insiders. From careless clicks to malicious insiders, employees remain the most likely source of data compromise.We unpack how everyday access rights and behaviours, including misuse of AI systems, become high impact breaches/risk incidents, and what “appropriate” security measures really mean in practice. Expect clear guidance on what good governance means, risk assessment, when and how to notify data regulators (around the world) and data subjects, and how to close incidents well to reduce repeat risk.This episode is part of a mini-series covering the topics discussed at The Work Agenda 2026 conference, we hope you enjoy listening. Remember to share with colleagues and if you do have any comments, we would love to hear them.

Businesses are facing challenges in a modern work environment which is increasingly multi-generational and diverse. Employees are more aware of their rights and seeking to hold employers accountable for their actions and the actions of other employees/third parties. Using a case study to guide the discussion at The Work Agenda 2026 conference we shared practical solutions and explored some of the issues that we are seeing employers grapple with including sexual harassment (a year on from the introduction of the preventative duty), neurodiversity, divergence in socio-political views and speak up culture.This episode is part of a mini-series covering the topics discussed at The Work Agenda 2026 conference, we hope you enjoy listening. Remember to share with colleagues and if you do have any comments, we would love to hear them. 

In this episode, Sally and David discuss the recent collective consultation case, Micro-Focus Ltd v Mildenhall, the new HR1 form and the implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive.

In this episode, Paul Gillen is joined by David Hopper – both of them partners in the employment team here at Lewis Silkin – to talk about Theme C of Northern Ireland’s proposed “Good Jobs” Employment Rights Bill.From union access and lower recognition thresholds to e-ballots, while the seven-day industrial action notice stays put – this episode explores what’s likely to change now, what’s for later and practical takeaways on regulations and timelines in early 2026.

Join Wendy Saunders, Helen Adams and Rosie Moore as they explore the FCA’s final guidance on tackling non-financial misconduct. This discussion considers what it means, why it matters and, most importantly, what firms should be doing now. Join us for practical guidance designed to help busy teams turn insight into action.  

Listen here for the latest developments and essential practical takeaways (short enough to fit into a 10 minute coffee break!). Lawyers from our IHELC team will discuss key developments in employment law with our usual pragmatism and insight, a touch of humour and a sharp focus on the in-house lawyer’s perspective. In this episode, Lucy and Tarun discuss the removal of the cap on unfair dismissal compensation, key employment law developments in 2026, and what employment lawyers can do now to prepare.

In this final episode, Lucy and Julia reflect on the insights shared across our “In Conversation” and “Peer-to-Peer” podcast series. Together, they draw out the key themes that defined 2025 and consider what employers should be prioritising to build resilience and momentum in the years ahead. Across the conversations, a consistent message has emerged: people strategy is business strategy. The real risk is not uncertainty itself but failing to invest in capabilities that build resilience and the ability to respond to change. 

移民法のルールと人種差別禁止の要請をどのように両立させればよいのでしょうか。英国弁護士のAbi FrederickとLi Xiangが、移民法と雇用法が交差する厄介な論点について、日本語で解説します。このポッドキャストでは、就労資格の確認、スポンサーシップ制度のルールとリスク、給与の基準額とその調整など、企業が直面しやすいテーマを取り上げます。頻繁に変更される複雑な移民ルールへの適切な対応と、差別や不当解雇の回避との間には、時に相矛盾する要請が生じますが、これらに対してどのように対応すべきなのか、専門家2人が議論します。

Part 3 of our "Good Jobs" mini series is here!In this episode, Kevin Gallagher is joined by Patricia Coulter of the Labour Relations Agency to unpack Theme B of Northern Ireland’s proposed “Good Jobs” Employment Rights Bill which focuses on Pay and Benefits.They discuss what’s changing (and what’s not) with holiday pay, working time, record-keeping, payslips and tips and Patricia outlines how the LRA supports employers to implement these changes effectively. Tune in for clear takeaways and what to watch out for next as codes and guidance take shape.

In this episode, Lucy and Colin discuss the latest on the Employment Rights Bill, how the ban on maternity returners might work in practice and why you do need to know about the trade union reforms (even if you think you don’t)!

In this episode of the Future of Work Hub’s Peer-to-Peer podcast, Julia Paulding is joined by Jenny Shiers, Chief People Officer at Unily. They explore how personalisation and reducing digital friction can drive exceptional employee experience and engagement, as well as how organisations can foster "organisational velocity" to enable them to pivot quickly and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.

Lithuania is land of ancient amber, determined endurance, and unexpectedly functional pay transparency laws. While others brace for impact under the Pay Transparency Directive, Lithuania’s been quietly getting on with some aspects of it for years. In this episode of Pay Attention, Tom Heys and David Lorimer sit down with Jovita Valatkaite from COBALT Legal to find out how a country famed for persistence has managed to make pay transparency look… well, possible.

In this episode of the “Good Jobs” mini‑series, Managing Associate Emma Grossmith and Senior Associate Emmie Ellison unpack the headline proposals on zero and low‑hours work in Northern Ireland’s proposed “Good Jobs” Employment Rights Bill. They cover the right to request banded hours, reasonable notice for shifts with proportionate compensation for cancellations, and a ban on exclusivity clauses below the lower earnings limit. They also highlight likely key sector impacts, key differences with the rest of the UK, and the expected timeline for detail. If you’re navigating variable hours, workforce planning, or simply want to understand where zero‑hours work is heading, this conversation sets out the way forward. Stay tuned for Episode 3, where we turn to Theme B – pay and benefits. 

In this episode, Colin and Tarun discuss when we might expect the Employment Rights Bill to receive royal assent, the changes you might need to make to your settlement agreement from this month and an EAT decision on what acting in the course of employment means. 

In this episode of the Future of Work Hub’s Peer-to-Peer podcast, Julia Paulding, Chief People Officer at Lewis Silkin, sits down with Cathy Temple, Head of HR, EMEA at Salesforce. They discuss HR’s evolving role in AI-driven workplace transformation, emphasising the need for trust, transparent communication, human-centric leadership and continuous upskilling to build agile, future-ready organisations. 

The EU’s Pay Transparency Directive is about shining a light on salaries; the GDPR is about keeping personal data under wraps. Put the two together and you’ve got a legal paradox: employers are asked to build a glass house, but only if the blinds are firmly drawn.In this episode, Tom Heys and David Lorimer are joined by Lewis Silkin partners Bryony Long and Ben Favaro to unpack the real tension between transparency and privacy. From pay reporting obligations that bump into data minimisation, to the risk of identifying individuals in “anonymous” averages, we explore how these two regimes collide, and what employers can do to stay on the right side of both.

In this episode, Belfast employment partners Ciara Fulton and Paul Gillen introduce the Department for the Economy’s “Way Forward” response to the recent ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Rights Bill consultation, marking a potentially major step forward for employment law in Northern Ireland. They set the scene for what these wide-ranging reforms could mean for the world of work in NI, and how organisations can start to think about the changes on the horizon. This episode launches a five-part mini-series, with each instalment set to explore the proposed Bill’s core themes in more detail: terms of employment, pay and benefits, voice and representation, and work-life balance. Ciara and Paul provide a high-level perspective on the Bill’s ambitions and the direction of travel for employment rights in Northern Ireland. Tune in for a concise introduction to the ‘Good Jobs’ consultation response and join us for the rest of the series as we unpack each theme. 

In this episode of the Future of Work Hub’s In Conversation podcast, Lucy Lewis is joined by Professor Alan Felstead, Emeritus Professor at Cardiff University and a leading expert on work, skills and employment. Alan shares insights from the landmark Skills and Employment Survey 2024, exploring how the world of work in the UK is evolving, what workers value, and the challenges and opportunities facing employers and policymakers.Key takeaways1. Make fair work your business advantage: When employers treat workers as valued assets, fostering respect, autonomy and development, it strengthens wellbeing, drives business improvement, and sets the foundation for lasting organisational success. Regularly survey staff to track how job quality is changing over time and identify areas for improvement.2. Foster meaningful work by investing in line manager capabilities: Research shows that the majority of workers find their jobs meaningful, with managerial support, skill utilisation and participation at work playing a greater role than pay in driving a sense of purpose. Organisations should train managers to provide timely guidance, deliver constructive feedback, and show empathy - particularly when supporting younger employees and new joiners.3. Prioritise genuine employee participation: Employee control over job tasks has sharply declined, negatively impacting wellbeing and productivity. Employers should regularly measure and monitor employee task discretion across their organisation and hold managers accountable for progress.4. Promote equality in flexible working: Offering a range of solutions, such as flexi-time, compressed hours, and part-time roles, helps to ensure all employees, including those whose jobs cannot be done remotely or who lack dedicated home workspaces, can access the benefits of flexible working. For more discussion of the themes explored in this podcast, see the Hub's latest report "Strategic workforce priorities - What matters most?".

Our Beyond Borders podcast series is designed to help you manage your international workforce and navigate the quirks of international employment law.In this episode, we explore performance management under PRC law, including the high threshold for dismissing employees for incompetence, the role of Performance Improvement Plans, and key issues around overtime pay and non-compete clauses. While the law sets clear principles, many practical details remain undefined, creating challenges for employers. 

Our Beyond Borders podcast series is designed to help you manage your international workforce and navigate the quirks of international employment law.In this episode, we navigate the complexities of India’s employment law landscape. From the nuanced definition of “workmen” under Indian labour statutes to the practical challenges of terminating employment, we unpack key legal concepts and emerging trends. We also delve into the rise of frivolous litigation and criminal complaints, and examine the enforceability of post-termination restrictive covenants in India’s unique legal context.

In this episode, we demystify Australia’s famously intricate employment landscape, unpacking the interplay between the federal Fair Work Act, state/territory legislation and the 120-plus modern awards that set industry-specific minimum standards. We also explore the distinctive concept of casual employment, the latest regulation of gig-economy “employee-like” workers, 2025 privacy reforms, the nation-leading positive duty to prevent workplace sexual harassment and proposed curbs on non-compete clauses. 

Our Beyond Borders podcast series is designed to help you manage your international workforce and navigate the quirks of international employment law.In this episode, we delve into Singapore’s unique tripartite approach to labour policy, examining how collaboration between the government, employers, and unions shapes employment practices. We also unpack the practical aspects of terminating employment, redundancy pay, and understanding the country’s re-employment regime for older workers.  

Our Beyond Borders podcast series is designed to help you manage your international workforce and navigate the quirks of international employment law.In this episode, we focus on South Korea’s pro-employee environment in the context of protections against unjust dismissal, the practicalities of terminating employment, business transfers and worker representation.

Our Beyond Borders podcast series is designed to help you manage your international workforce and navigate the quirks of international employment law.In this episode, we focus on Hong Kong’s business-friendly environment and discuss the absence of a general unfair dismissal regime, the practicalities of terminating employment and the unique procedures for handling disputes in the Hong Kong Labour Tribunal.

Beyond Borders is your go-to podcast series for navigating the challenges of managing an international workforce and decoding the intricacies of international employment law.In this special live episode, recorded at our Managing an International Workforce conference, we delve into the rising trend of performance-based dismissals among US-headquartered companies. Our experts examine whether this strategy can be effectively applied across France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. We also explore the essentials of redundancy exercises across these jurisdictions, focusing on consultation requirements, compliance considerations and best practices to mitigate employer risks.

Amy Nevins and David Lyons discuss their five top tips for HR professionals handling global mobility matters – from the key legal risks that may arise when employees work abroad to how you can support the business with their long term business strategy. 

Recorded live at our Managing an International Workforce event, our next episode of Pay Attention focusses on the five biggest challenges facing employers in relation to the new obligations of the Pay Transparency Directive. Expect practical insight, lively debate and a few things you’ll wish someone had told you sooner. 

In this episode, Brinsley and Geraint examine the ‘will-they, won’t they’ saga that is the Green Claims Directive. They consider the landscape around green claims in the UK and EU in light of these latest developments, and explore the potential impact on businesses of all sizes… and the political controversies sprouting around the ‘on-again, off-again’ Green Claims Directive. They also check whether the UK regulations, including the DMCC Act, are taking root – and consider the implications for companies making environmental claims in the UK. When it comes to green claims, not everything is as rosy (or green) as it seems.

Listen here for the latest developments and essential practical takeaways (short enough to fit into a coffee break!). Lawyers from our IHELC team will discuss key developments in employment law with our usual pragmatism and insight, a touch of humour and a sharp focus on the in-house lawyer’s perspective.

In this special episode of our In Conversation podcast recorded live at our Managing an International Workforce Conference.James Davies, Partner at Lewis Silkin is joined by Ius Laboris colleagues from Canada, Italy and Poland to discuss the rapidly evolving global landscape, from intensifying trade wars and shifting alliances to the rise of populist politics and regional unrest.As the forces of geoeconomic fragmentation reshape international business, our expert panel unpacks the implications for employers managing global workforces, offering a valuable roadmap to stay resilient and competitive in uncertain times.

An important part of the Employment Rights Bill is the Fair Work Agency, a new single state enforcement agency for various employment rights that is due to start operating in April next year. In this episode Lucy Lewis and Colin Leckey explain what this means for employers, what powers it will have, and why this will be particularly significant for holiday pay.

With gender pay gap reporting already in place for over a decade, Denmark might seem ahead of the curve on pay transparency. But how much still needs to change under the new EU Directive? In this episode, we are joined by Yvonne Fredericksen of Norrbom Vinding to explore the Danish model, its flexicurity foundations, and whether employers are truly “løn-done” with pay transparency—or just getting started.

Our Beyond Borders podcast series is designed to help you manage your international workforce and navigate the quirks of international employment law. In this episode, we turn our attention to Spain, exploring the role and influence of works councils and trade unions, essential insights into dismissals and settlement agreements, an overview of the litigation process, working hours, and much more!

Our Beyond Borders podcast series is designed to help you manage your international workforce and navigate the quirks of international employment law. In this episode, we focus on France, delving into bonuses, working time rules, the right to disconnect, the French labour court system, dealing with Works Councils and much more!

Over five years since the first Covid lockdown, James Walters and Amy Russell-Hughes reflect on the pandemic’s impact on workplace practices. They discuss how it influenced sickness management and employee wellbeing, as well as the ongoing 'return to office' debate. Tune in for more insights on how employers are navigating these post-pandemic changes.

In this episode of the Future of Work Hub’s In Conversation podcast, Lucy Lewis speaks with Till Leopold, Head of Work Wages and Job Creation, at the World Economic Forum's Centre for the New Economy and Society.Till shares key insights from the latest Future of Jobs report examining the five major trends that are expected to transform the world of work by 2030. They discuss the nuanced impact of these trends on job creation and displacement and how employers can develop proactive strategies for skills adaptation and reskilling. Key takeaways 1. Technological change, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts and the green transition are the major drivers of net job creation as well as displacement. Look beyond the headline numbers to consider the quality of jobs being created and focus on creating "good work" to ensure sustainable growth. 2. Be proactive in addressing long-term trends including demographic shifts and climate change mitigation alongside immediate challenges. By embedding these considerations into strategic planning now, businesses can position themselves to benefit from future workforce changes and achieve more positive outcomes. 3. Adopt a balanced approach to skills development. 40% of skills across all roles will change over the next five years but there will be a convergence of two types of skills: technological proficiency and human-centric skills. Foster both skillsets through targeted training and ongoing learning opportunities to equip workers for the skills transition and address skills gaps. 4. Build trust through meaningful engagement and communication. Reskilling is a crucial component for building trust and employers should take a holistic approach to how they communicate in relation to this, consistently explaining why it matters and giving workers agency to shape new initiatives.

In this month’s discussion, we share our thoughts about the government’s consultation on introducing ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting, as well as the Supreme Court’s landmark decision on the meaning of “sex” in the Equality Act 2010.

Sweden has been running annual pay surveys since 1994 — so are they ahead of the curve, or just assembling the directive with their own set of instructions? Tom and David are joined by Jenny Hellberg from Elmzell Advokatbyrå to unpack Sweden’s draft implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive. From strained IKEA metaphors to real-life enforcement mechanisms, they explore categorisation, union cooperation, and whether this famously egalitarian nation is really as flat-packed and ready as it seems. Pour yourself a strong fika-style coffee and tune in.

Poland’s equal pay regime may be minimal, but with the EU’s Pay Transparency Directive on the way, employers won’t be able to shrug and move on like it’s someone else’s circus. We’re joined by Bartek Raczkowski to explore what happens when a famously pro-employer system, a refreshingly direct legal culture, and a total lack of pay reporting requirements meet a sweeping new EU obligation. And if you’re wondering what monkeys have to do with any of this — well, you’ll have to listen.

Human skills, agility and proactive workforce planningIn our launch episode, Julia Paulding, Chief People Officer at Lewis Silkin, sits down with Rob Worrall, Head of People at BDO UK, to explore the future of work - and it’s looking optimistic.They discuss how organisations can stay ahead by investing in human skills, embracing flexible working models, and engaging future talent from day one. It’s a conversation packed with peer-to-peer insights for business leaders, people managers and anyone navigating the evolving workforce landscape.Key takeaways include:Early talent engagement: embed values from the first interactionFlexibility in hybrid/agile working: serve clients and teamsTraining for people managers: build confidence at all career stagesAmplifying human skills: curiosity, creativity, collaborationLong-term planning: stay agile while thinking ahead