[IER] Two events in Liverpool:Update in Equality Law & Employment Law Update

Thu Oct 2 10:31:38 BST 2008

Dear Colleague

We are pleased to note that while the Employment Law Update conference in
London on Wednesday 15th October is now full due to popular demand, there
are still places left at the Employment Law Update conference in Liverpool
on Wednesday 12th November. 

Speakers include Prof Gregor Gall, Rob Vondy of ACAS, Hannah Reed of the
TUC, Billy Hayes of the CWU, Nick O’Brien of Liverpool Law School and Jo
Seery of Thompsons Solicitors.

And for those needing an update in equality law, we have a conference taking
place on 22nd October in Liverpool. Expert speakers at that event include:
Professor Aileen McGolgan (Kings College London), Dr Lucy Vickers (Oxford
Brooks), Vicky Philips (Thompsons Solicitors), Amand Brown (NUT), John
McGhee (FBU), Sally Brett (TUC) and Adam Creme (UNISON)

Further info on both events below  - you can also book places by visiting
http://www.ier.org.uk/node/88 

Employment Law Update 2008-10-02

Wednesday 12th November 2008, at the Adephi Hotel, Lime Street, Liverpool

Sponsored by UNITE North West Region, Thompsons Solicitors, Fire Brigades
Union, National Union of Teachers

With the local elections over and a general election looming within two
years, trade unions and their members are looking to the future. What do we
want and expect from a Labour government looking for a fourth term in
office? What is required to make UK laws compliant with our international
obligations? 

Legislation dealing with trade union and employment issues is now introduced
twice a year – in April and October, offering ideal opportunities to monitor
and comment on the UK’s framework of law. In November 2008 the Institute of
Employment Rights in association with Thompsons Solicitors, the Fire
Brigades Union and UNITE North West Region, will hold the first of what is
planned to be an annual event to reflect on laws introduced in 2008 and
provide information on laws expected in 2009.

And there is much to discuss. In 2007 an Employment Bill was introduced,
which is expected to become law in 2009. The Bill covers dispute resolution
procedures, the National Minimum Wage, Agency Workers and trade union
membership. Unfortunately the draft Bill does not include those issues
raised by the Trade Union Freedom Bill including the collective rights of
trade unions. 

Speakers will critically examine the Employment Bill’s proposals and
highlight what they see as its strengths and weaknesses. Sessions will focus
on the future of employment law, issues relating to resolving disputes at
work, and the proposed new ACAS grievance and disciplinary Code of Practice.

Knowledge and understanding of the law and how best to use it are essential
if we are to secure fairness at work. But raising expectations about where
the law ought to be is just as important. The aim is to ensure trade union
representatives are kept up to date and well informed about developments in
employment law. 

Programme

*                 10.30 Registration 

*                 10.40 Welcome from Chair 

*                 10.45 Which way next under Labour?
Professor Gregor Gall, University of Hertfordshire 

*                 11.15 The ACAS Code of Practice: Principles of Fairness
Rob Vondy, Area Director, ACAS North West 

*                 11.45 Fairness at work – the next step?
Hannah Reed, Senior Policy Officer, TUC Equalities and Employment Rights
Department 

*                 12.15 Discussion 

*                 12.30 LUNCH 

*                 1.30 Warwick 2: What’s on the agenda?
Billy Hayes, General Secretary, Communication Workers Union 

*                 2.00 Agency Workers and Working Time: Moving Forward? 

*                 2.30 Disability Discrimination at Work
Nick O'Brien, Visiting Fellow, Liverpool Law School (formerly of the
Disability Rights Commission) 

*                 3.00 Tea and Coffee 

*                 3.15 Grievance and Disciplinary Case Law
Jo Seery, Thompsons Solicitors 

*                 3.45 Questions 

*                 4:15 Close 

Update on Equality Law

Wednesday 22nd October 2008 at the Adephi Hotel, Lime Street, Liverpool

Sponsored by Unite North West Region and Thompsons Solicitors

While we have travelled a long way in terms of equalities legislation in
recent years, the complexity of discrimination legislation still makes it
very difficult to tackle the deep-set issues of inequality in the workplace.

In the past 10 years alone, we have upgraded maternity and paternity leave,
introduced regulations on sexual orientation, age and religion and belief
and focused on gender equality, disability and race equality duties. Yet
women are still paid less than men, disabled people are twice as likely to
be unemployed and a ‘sticky floor’ exists for ethnic minorities in terms of
advancement in the
workplace.

In June 2007 the Government unveiled its Green Paper Framework for Fairness
on the future framework for a single equalities law. The stated aim of the
consultation paper was to make equality law clearer by condensing nine
pieces of legislation into one new law and to consult on whether there are
significant gaps in protection that should be plugged. Honourable enough
aims. So why was the Green Paper criticised by a range of experts?

What did the Green Paper propose and will those proposals impact on equality
at work? Following the consultation and the critical responses received,
will the forthcoming Equality Act – due to be announced in November 2008 –
contain improved proposals for ensuring equality at work?

This conference aims to provide a critical look at the role of the new
Equalities Commission, the equalities legislation and best practice
solutions in the workplace. It will bring together some of the finest
academics, trade unionists and legal practitioners, offering delegates in
the North West an informed and sympathetic understanding of the latest
developments in equality legislation.

Programme

*                 10:30 Registration 

*                 10:50 Welcome from Chair 

*                 11:00 Pulling it all together: The Single Equality Act
Prof Aileen McColgan, Kings College, London 

*                 11:25 Preventing sexual orientation discrimination
Amanda Brown, NUT 

*                 11:50 Religious discrimination at work
Dr Lucy Vickers, Oxford Brookes University 

*                 12:15 Questions 

12.30 LUNCH

*                 1:30 Fairness Not Favours: Bridging the Equality Gap
John McGhee, Fire Brigades Union 

*                 1:55 Diversity or Discrimination? The question of age
Sally Brett, TUC 

*                 2:20 The Commission for Equalities and Human Rights
Vicky Philips, Thompsons Solicitors 

*                 2:45 Eradicating disability discrimination at work
Caroline Gooding, Diversity Works For London 

*                 3.10 Tea and Coffee 

*                 3:25 Pay Equity: Are we winning
Adam Crème, Head of Employment Rights, Unison 

*                 3:50 Questions and Discussion 

*                 4:15 Close 

Who should attend

The conference will be of great interest to trade unionists, employment
lawyers, academics and students. 

How to book

To reserve your place, complete the form below and send your cheque,
made payable to IER, to Institute of Employment Rights, The People’s
Centre, 50-54 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool L3 5SD. Fax 0151 702 6935.

CPD, NPP and EPP accreditation

This conference counts for 5 credit hours under the Law Society’s
Continuing Development Scheme and the General Council of the Bar’s New
Practitioners’ Programme and Established Practitioners’ Programme.

Additional Information

Details of nearby hotels are available from the office. Name changes are
accepted up until the time of the event. Delegates who advise IER of their
cancellation more than 15 working days in advance will receive a credit
note with 10% deduction for administration.

How to get there

Train: Lime St Station (British Rail) and Central Station (Merseyrail) are a
five minute walk away. 
Bus: 500 from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to City Centre

Cost

IER subscribers and members £75.00 
Trade unions £90.00
Commercial £220.00 
The cost of the conference does not include lunch.

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