A new ERA for workplace relations?
Labor Relations Conference 2025
Find speaker information and resources below. Want to help us improve? Share your thoughts at the end of the day by completing the paper feedback form on your chair.
Agenda
9:30-10:00
Registration and refreshments
10:00
Welcome and introduction from the Chair
Tom Player, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
Priorities and challenges:
How new employment rights will impact workplaces, ACAS and dispute resolution
Niall Mackenzie, CEO, Acas
The economic outlook:
The impact of global and domestic economic events on the labor market
Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics and Public Policy, King's College London
Labor law update - Part 1:
Discussion on the new right of access and statutory recognition changes (inc time off changes)
Emma Humphreys, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
Demi Champion, Senior Associate, Eversheds Sutherland
11:45-12:05
Refreshments/comfort break
Labor law update - Part 2:
Discussion on the ERA's changes to industrial action, including impact on contingency planning and protections for striking workers
Chris Mordue, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
Leonie Mcquaide, Senior Associate, Eversheds Sutherland
Panel session:
Tech meets sustainability at work - balancing innovation, equity and environment
Chair: Stephen Chegwin, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary, IndustriALL Europe
Sarah O'Connor, Columnist, The Financial Times
13:20-14:00
Lunch
The Employment Rights Act:
Impact on employers. Is it good for modern working practices?
Matthew Taylor CBE, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation and first Chair of the Fair Work Agency and formerly Chair of the "Good Work: Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices"
Panel session:
Workplace relations - recognition in the new world
Chair: Clare Ward, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
Richard Cullen, Projects & TU Specialist, Thames Water
Francesca Okosi, Chief People and Culture Officer - Macmillan
Sampson Low, Head of Policy, Unison
15:10-15:30
Refreshments/comfort break
Panel session:
European Works Council Directive: changes agreed
Chair: Tom Player, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
Christian Lordereau, Global Industrial Relations Lead, GSK
Manon Lamotte, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, France
Bernd Pirpamer, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, Germany
Anique Bitterlich, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, Netherlands
Chair - closing reflections
Tom Player, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
16:25 onwards
Drinks, nibbles and networking
Meet our speakers/panellists
Share your thoughts
We'd like to get your feedback. Please complete the evaluation form on your chair, before you leave today as this really does help us shape our future conferences.
Resources
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