Mental health in the workplace will be one of the key topics at seminars being organised by leading North West commercial law firm Baines Wilson next month.
The crisis in mental health has been brought even more to the fore by the pandemic.
The Office for National Statistics reports that around one in five adults experienced some form of depression in the early part of 2021, more than double that observed before COVID-19.
In 2018-19 the Centre for Mental Health calculated that mental ill health was responsible for 72 million working days lost and cost £34.9 billion per year.
You can find out more about the events here: https://bit.ly/BainesWilson
The half-day seminars in Carlisle, Lancaster and Newby Bridge also cover topical issues such as how employers should treat staff going through the menopause, managing performance when staff are working from home, and employers’ duties to prevent sexual harassment.
There will also be an update on case law and legislative changes, and an opportunity to raise questions on any employment law or HR matter.
Get up-to-date on employment law
Joanne Holborn, partner and head of employment at Baines Wilson, said: “Businesses will get bang up-to-date knowledge about what’s going on in employment law.
“The world of work has been changed by the pandemic and businesses are still getting to grips with that.
“Mental health has become a massive issue while hybrid working, where staff work from home some of the time, is here to stay. Employers need to understand how they can better manage staff working remotely.”
A key objective of the seminars is to help businesses avoid being embroiled in costly and reputationally-damaging employment tribunals.
For instance, employers can potentially face sex discrimination and even harassment claims if they mishandle an approach from an employee who is going through the menopause.
Similarly, while most businesses have an equal opportunities policy, this isn’t in itself enough to defend a sexual harassment claim.
The sessions will set out what employers can do to ensure they have a statutory defence.
Baines Wilson has been running its seminars online for the last 18 months but is reverting to live events following the lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions.
Businesses have opportunity to talk to each other
Joanne said: “What we find with the live events is that, as well as learning about changes in employment law, businesses talk to each other.
“It’s a good opportunity to learn from peers and exchange ideas, which is particularly important given the changes that have been brought about by the pandemic.”
The sessions are aimed at HR professionals and anyone else – perhaps a finance director, for example – who has responsibility for HR matters.
“We also get business owners and managing directors attending to get an overview of employment law issues,” Joanne said.
She will deliver the sessions alongside Tom Scaife and Caroline Rayner, fellow members of the employment team at Baines Wilson.
The seminars take place at:
- Lancaster House Hotel, Lancaster, on Tuesday October 12
- The Swan Hotel, Newby Bridge, on Thursday October 14
- Carlisle Racecourse on Tuesday October 19.
Registration opens at 9am with tea, coffee and Danish pastries and the sessions run from 9.30am to 12.30pm, followed by a lunch.
Places are available at £75 plus VAT. Reserve yours online at https://bit.ly/BainesWilson
