They're not bad, they just make mistakes sometimes - like everyone does.
Deborah Henning discusses life as head of employment with Jacksons Law Firm.
In her long career, she has supported many employers, employees and trade unions with a wide range of legal cases.
Speaking of her desire to support managers as well as staff who need her help, she says: “Managers are human beings at the end of the day.
“I don’t think employers are bad, I think they just make mistakes sometimes – like everyone does.”
As an employment lawyer, Deborah and her team are ready to support both employers and employees when it comes to navigating the often tricky world of employment law.
And for Deborah, it’s the human element she enjoys in her work.
“It’s about people’s foibles and trying to help them, whichever side of the fence they are on,” she says.
“You are just trying to help the employment relationship, which is one of the most important relationships in people’s lives.”
It’s a relationship that also continuously evolves, as people adapt to different roles and life stages outside of work.
Take, for example, recent changes to approaching carer’s leave.
New regulations will come into force on 6 April, which will mean employees can request one week of unpaid carer’s leave in a 12-month period.
“In the modern world, people are increasingly caring for older relatives,” Deborah says.
“This change will be very important for that.
“It will be more difficult for employers to say “no” and they are going to have to give very considered reasons if they do refuse it.”
Carer’s leave also becomes a “day one right” which means employees can request it on the very first day of their employment with a firm, giving them more flexibility and options.
Deborah says good firms have been doing this for a long time anyway and the reality is, employees may choose to take paid holidays for their caring duties.
However, one change that Deborah does see having a big impact on businesses is the imminent minimum wage increase.
For the first time, the National Living Wage will apply to all workers aged 21 and for those aged 21 and over, it increases by £1.02 up to £11.44 on April 1. Those aged 18-20 will also see an increase of £1.11 to £8.60.
“It’s a big increase that’s going to have knock-on consequences for employers, as other, more senior employees also seek a higher rate of pay,” Deborah says.
There are also changes afoot when it comes to redundancy protection around pregnancy and family leave, as the draft Maternity Leave, Adoption Leave and Shared Parental Leave Regulations 2024 have been put before parliament.
Deborah explains: “When you are on maternity leave, you have a right to be offered a job, if there’s a suitable one, should a redundancy position arise.
“This new legislation is extending this protected period for women beyond what it currently is and extending it for wider groups as well.”
The protection will run from pregnancy, plus 18 months from the first day of the estimated week of birth or from the exact date of birth.
In other employment law news, the right to request flexible working will now become a day one right from April.
However, Deborah says it’s best practice when you are going for a job to set out from the outset what days and hours you would like to work.
“It’s best to be upfront at the negotiation stage,” she says.
“But should the need arise, you can now request a flexible working arrangement from day one of your employment.”
For more information about any of these employment law issues – or any others affecting your business or workplace, visit www.jacksons-law.com