Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
Alternatives to redundancy were highlighted at this year’s annual Employment Law Breakfast Briefing, attended by around 200 of Peterborough’s most influential business people.
Delegates were also updated on redundancy procedures, fair selection and avoiding pitfalls surrounding such contentious moves in the workplace.
Now in its 14th year the seminar, hosted by Anne Corder Recruitment and Hegarty LLP Solicitors, is recognised as a key date in the business calendar and an opportunity to hear news and advice on the very latest employment issues.
“Since April there has been a 40 per cent increase in unfair dismissal cases with employees claiming they have been unfairly selected for redundancy or that their position isn’t redundant,” said Martin Bloom, Hegarty LLP’s employment partner. “We expect that upward trend to continue well into next year which is why we felt these were issues which needed addressing.”
Tim Thompson, also from Hegarty LLP, updated delegates who attended the event at the East of England Showground on amending terms and conditions of employment – a method often used to try and avoid large scale redundancy.
“These are very important issues for a lot of companies wanting to take a long term view while needing to weather the current downturn,” said Anne Corder. “As usual Martin and Tim made some very valid points and gave us all some valuable pointers to take away with us.
“Once again, it was good to welcome so many people to the event. None of us can afford to let legislation pass us by. The seminar once again provided a forum for discussion and equipped delegates with plenty of information to feed back.”