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Date

10 October, 2025
8.30am – 11.30am

Where

SmartBase, Aviation Park West, East Parley, Christchurch, BH23 6NW

Speaker
Edward O'Brien
Job Title
Senior Associate
Organisation
Lester Aldridge

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Major changes to UK employment law are on the horizon, and businesses need to be ready. 

The Employment Rights Bill is set to introduce sweeping reforms that will impact how organisations hire, manage, and support their people. From day-one unfair dismissal rights to new family-friendly policies and statutory sick pay updates, the bill represents the most significant overhaul of employment legislation in over a decade. 

Join Reed and legal expert Edward O’Brien from Lester Aldridge for a practical and insightful session on the upcoming Employment Rights Bill – a landmark piece of legislation set to reshape the UK employment landscape. 

During this free event, we’ll explore: 

  • The key changes coming into force – including day-one unfair dismissal rights, new protections against sexual harassment, enhanced family-friendly rights, and updates to statutory sick pay 

  • Practical guidance on how to prepare – from applying probation periods correctly to future-proofing your contracts and employee handbooks 

  • Expert predictions on the HR and employment challenges businesses are likely to face in the year ahead 

Why attend? 

  • Understand the real-world impact of the Employment Rights Bill on your organisation 

  • Get actionable advice from a leading employment law specialist 

  • Learn how to mitigate risk and stay compliant as the legal landscape evolves 

  • Network with fellow HR professionals and business leaders in your region 

Whether you're an HR professional, business owner, or people manager, understanding what’s coming – and how to prepare – is essential. Spaces are limited – secure your place today and get ahead of the changes. 

Our speaker 

Edward O'Brien, Senior Associate, Lester Aldridge 

Edward O’Brien is a seasoned employment law specialist with a diverse background advising both employers and employees. He began his legal career in London at a national firm renowned for its employment law team, before moving to a regional practice where he focused on advising trade unions. 

Prior to joining Lester Aldridge in 2020, Edward successfully established a new employment law offering at a Dorset-based firm, earning consistent recognition in the Legal 500 directory for his expertise and client service. 

Edward advises on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters. His clients have included large national and international corporations, SMEs, trade unions, high-net-worth individuals, and junior employees. 

He has experience supporting multi-site businesses through complex redundancy programmes and TUPE-related transactions, and regularly assists employers with contract and handbook reviews, consultancy and settlement agreements, and internal disciplinary and grievance procedures. 

Edward has represented clients in both the employment tribunal and civil courts, handling cases involving unfair dismissal, whistleblowing, discrimination, restrictive covenants, and employment status.