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 experts Edward O’Brien and Kevin Barnett 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 leading employment law specialists
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 speakers
Edward O'Brien, Senior Associate, Lester Aldridge
Edward 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.
Kevin Barnett, Head of Employment - HR and Immigration, Lester Aldridge
Kevin has worked across both the public and private sectors for high street practices, local authorities and RSLs. Due to this diverse experience, he understands the various pressures and considerations that apply when providing advice to individuals, businesses, and public bodies.
Kevin is experienced in all aspects of employment law, both claimant and respondent, from drafting contracts and procedures, to providing representation before tribunals in cases involving multiple claimants, and advising on dismissal and re-engagement procedures in relation to contract variations for 500+ employees.
Previous private clients have included a number of care homes, several defence contractors, and numerous small enterprises, particularly in the retail sector. In addition to the public sector work undertaken as an employee, he has also acted for many other public bodies, including the DWP, the Environment Agency, and a local fire authority.
