With weeks to go before new legal obligations are imposed on employers to take “reasonable steps” to prevent the sexual harassment of employees through the Worker Protection Act 2023, HR teams in Edinburgh are being urged to prepare for the changes. In response, leading employment law specialists at Aberdein Considine will deliver a series of workshops to help businesses navigate the complexities of employee crisis management.
From allegations of criminal conduct and financial irregularities to embittered former employees hurling damaging parting shots, there are many things which can give HR professional sleepless nights.
High profile recent cases such as the arrest of erstwhile BBC stalwart Huw Edwards, the embezzlement of more than £1m by an Aberdeen City Council worker, and multiple claims of sexual misconduct at the CBI will have sent shockwaves through HR departments across the land.
In a series of expert-led workshops across Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen and online during September, employment lawyers from the award-winning Scottish law firm will offer practical insights and strategies to help HR professionals safeguard their employees, their company and its reputation in the face of a crisis.
Topics on the agenda include:
- Uncovering financial irregularities
- Handling alleged criminal conduct
- Managing parting shots from departing employees
- Implementing preventative steps to protect your business
The Edinburgh session, hosted at Aberdein Considine’s flagship Multrees Walk office, will be led by Robert Holland, Partner and Head of Employment Law and Karen Harvie, Senior Associate. The specialists have a combined 50 years of experience in advising clients and they both appear regularly at employment tribunals.
They will workshop common pitfalls faced by staff managers and tackle the management of big challenges such as the discovery of financial irregularities and alleged criminal conduct, as well as exploring the steps businesses can take to protect themselves.
Case studies discussed during the workshops will include the recent embezzlement of more than £1m by an Aberdeen City Council worker and the use of NDAs to prevent staff from sharing their experiences of sexual misconduct and bullying at the CBI.
Robert Holland, Partner and Head of Employment Law, Aberdein Considine, said: “As companies face an ever-increasing array of challenges, from workplace disruptions to reputational risks and changes to regulations, the role of HR in managing these crises has never been more critical.
“We recognise the vital role HR managers play in guiding their organisations through difficult times, and our goal with these workshops is to equip HR professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to prepare for and manage crises proactively.
“Each session will include interactive discussions, topical case studies, and practical exercises to ensure participants leave with actionable strategies they can implement immediately.”
The workshops will take place over the following dates:
- Online: Tuesday 24 September, 08:30
- Aberdeen: Wednesday 25 September, 08:30
- Glasgow: Wednesday 25 September, 08:30
- Edinburgh: Thursday 26 September, 08:30
Please note the format will be the same for each workshop so there is no need to register for more than one.
To register for a workshop, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/aberdein-considine-7800331763.