Understanding the Employment Rights Act for Managers
Overview
Employment law is changing rapidly, and managers are increasingly expected to make confident people decisions while balancing legal compliance, fairness and organisational performance. Without a clear understanding of the Employment Rights Act and wider employment legislation, even well-intentioned decisions can lead to grievances, tribunal claims and costly mistakes.
This practical one-day workshop gives managers the knowledge and confidence to apply the Employment Rights Act in everyday management situations. Through real workplace scenarios, practical guidance and expert discussion, delegates will learn how to manage people fairly, meet their legal responsibilities and reduce organisational risk while creating positive workplace cultures.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the key changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act.
- Apply employment law confidently to everyday management decisions.
- Recognise common legal risks and avoid costly mistakes.
- Manage recruitment, absence and workplace issues fairly and consistently.
- Support employee wellbeing while meeting legal obligations.
- Know when to resolve issues independently and when to seek HR support.
Agenda
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Welcome, Introductions and Employment Law Update
- Introduce the course objectives, agenda and expected outcomes.
- Discuss current employment law challenges facing managers.
- Explore the impact of the Employment Rights Act on organisations.
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The Legal Landscape for Managers
- Understand employment status, contracts and statutory rights.
- Explore employer responsibilities and employee protections.
- Examine the key provisions of the Employment Rights Act.
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Break
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Getting Employment Basics Right
- Apply good practice in recruitment, onboarding and probation.
- Understand contracts, workplace policies and expectations.
- Manage equality, discrimination and reasonable adjustments confidently.
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Lunch
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Managing People Day-to-Day
- Handle workplace conversations fairly and consistently.
- Manage absence, flexible working and family-related rights.
- Promote respectful, inclusive and psychologically safe workplaces.
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Break
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Managing Risk and Difficult Situations
- Recognise common employment law pitfalls.
- Respond confidently to challenging people management issues.
- Know when to involve HR or seek specialist advice.
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Break
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Action Planning and Next Steps
- Identify practical improvements for your organisation.
- Develop an action plan to strengthen legal compliance.
- Apply learning immediately to everyday management practice.
*Programme Subject to Change
Get in Touch
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- Public Sector £550 + VAT
- Private Sector £620 + VAT
- Voluntary Sector £480 + VAT
Trainer
Gary Cookson
Gary is a father of four and a husband of one, running a successful business, EPIC, in his spare time. He’s an expert on work and workplace performance, with extensive experience leading and directing HR, OD and L&D functions across all sectors. His clients like working with him as he is authentic, honest, knowledgeable, communicative and people focused, with a broad and deep range of skills and experience –a glance at his prolific social media output will verify this.
Gary is a leading expert in the design and delivery of leadership, management and HR/L&D programmes, as well as an inspiring and entertaining keynote speaker. He has been recognised in the HR Most Influential awards, written for publications worldwide and spoken at global events.
He is a multi-published author and one of the worlds’ leading thinkers on the modern world of work. He is in regular demand with clients and conference organisers worldwide as a result, speaking on these topics plus leadership, management and various HR/L&D issues.
