Events

Countdown to Employment Law Reform: A Roadmap for Public Sector Organisations

Thursday 13th November 2025

10:00 - 15:45

Digital Conference - Check Your System / Device Compatibility


  • Event Abstract
  • Programme
  • Key Speakers
  • Who Should Attend?
  • Marketing Opportunities

Across the UK’s public sector — from classrooms and council offices to hospitals and care homes – workers are feeling the strain. Real-terms pay erosion, relentless workloads and insecure contracts are now routine. Many are left without basic protections such as sick pay, redundancy safeguards or job security.

In response to growing concern, the Government has introduced the Employment Rights Bill – the most significant overhaul of workers’ rights and employment law in a generation. The Bill proposes wide-reaching reforms, including strengthened flexible working, new protections against unfair dismissal, improved sick pay and parental leave and a new enforcement body to uphold rights across all sectors. Key elements of the new legislation will begin rolling out from April 2026, with full implementation expected by 2027.

This timely digital conference brings together policymakers, legal experts, trade unions, HR leaders and regulators to explore what the Bill means for public sector employers and workforces. From keynote address through to expert panel sessions, the event will offer clarity, insights and guidance to help organisations navigate the upcoming reforms to secure a more positive, equitable and secure workplace for all employees.

Why Attend?

  • Join live presentations and panel discussions featuring key policymakers, regulators, legal experts and HR leaders
  • Interactive Question Time sessions with opportunities to engage with all speakers
  • Unpack the Employment Rights Bill and the wide-ranging impact it will have across the public sector
  • Prepare for implementation – Learn how to align HR policies and workplace practices with new legal duties and avoid non-compliance
  • Explore how to enhance flexible working, improve wellbeing and strengthen leave entitlements in your organisation
  • Understand your duties to prevent harassment, including third-party harassment and build a more respectful, transparent workplace
  • Implement gender pay gap action planning, menopause support and creating equitable career progression pathways
  • Share ideas with fellow HR professionals from across the public sector including local authorities, education, social care, the police, health, criminal justice and other key statutory agencies
  • On demand – Exclusive access to speaker presentations and post-event resources

    • News - 10 October 2024: Government unveils significant reforms to employment rights

    Resource - Employment Rights Bill: factsheets

    News - 1 July 2025: Roadmap unveiled to boost rights for half of all UK workers and provide certainty to employers

    Guidance - 1 July 2025: Policy paper - Implementing the Employment Rights Bill

    9:30am

    Delegate Online Login

    10:00am

    Introduction by Conference Organiser

    10:05am

    Chair's Welcome and Opening Remarks

    10:10am

    Keynote Address:

    The Road to 2027 – Implementing Employment Reform for a Changing Workforce Landscape

  • Examining the impact of the Employment Rights Bill on public sector employers
  • Implementation timeline of key reforms
  • Supporting flexible working, improving redundancy rights and regulating insecure contracts
  • Consolidating and strengthening the enforcement of employment rights – Exploring the future role of the Fair Work Agency
  • Embedding equality, accessibility and transparency in workplace policy

    • 10:30am

    Keynote Address: Questions and Discussion

    10:50am

    Comfort Break

    11:00am

    Panel Session One:

    Embedding Fairness, Flexibility and Wellbeing at Work

  • Enhancing flexible working rights and promoting a healthy work-life balance
  • Creating inclusive cultures that support mental health and employee wellbeing
  • Strengthening entitlements for carers, older workers and staff with long-term health conditions
  • Improving parental, bereavement and sick leave provisions to support workforce resilience
  • Promoting fairness through tailored EDI strategies and inclusive employment practices

    • 11:50am

    Panel Session One: Questions and Discussion

    12:20pm

    Comfort Break

    1:00pm

    Panel Session Two:

    Changing the Culture – Eradicating Harassment in Public Sector Workplaces

  • Preventing and addressing bullying, harassment and discrimination, including from third parties
  • Fulfilling new legal duties to prevent sexual harassment and ensure safe working environments
  • The role of leadership, HR and line managers in setting and enforcing standards
  • Strengthening grievance procedures and supporting victims through resolution
  • Embedding accountability and transparency in workplace investigations

    • 1:50pm

    Panel Session Two: Questions and Discussion

    2:15pm

    Comfort Break

    2:30pm

    Panel Session Three:

    Getting Reform-Ready – Adapting to the New Employment Law Landscape

  • Mapping your organisation’s path to compliance with the Employment Rights Bill
  • Reviewing and updating recruitment, induction and retention strategies in line with new rights
  • Aligning HR policies and processes with new legal duties
  • Taking practical steps to prepare systems, staff and internal communications for change
  • Developing targeted action plans to address gender pay gaps and support menopause inclusion

    • 3:20pm

    Panel Session Three: Questions and Discussion

    3:40pm

    Final Questions and Chair's Summary & Closing Comments

    3:45pm

    End of Digital Conference

    *Please note the programme and timings are subject to slight alteration without notice
    DBT

    Richard Kelly (Keynote Address), Deputy Director, Employment Rights, Department for Business and Trade

    Centre for Mental Health

    Andy Bell, Chief Executive, Centre for Mental Health

    LB Croydon

    Dean Shoesmith, Chief People Officer, London Borough of Croydon

    Policy Foresight

    More Speakers Coming Soon...

    • Local Authority Officers & Councillors
    • Local Authority Officers & Councillors
    • Central Government Departments & Agencies
    • Directors of HR
    • HR Managers
    • HR Business Partners
    • Heads of Employee Relations
    • Quality Assurance Officers
    • Organisational Development Directors
    • Organisational Development Managers
    • Equality and Diversity Leads
    • Equality and Diversity Managers
    • Diversity & Equality Officers
    • Performance Managers
    • Heads of Recruitment
    • Recruitment Officers
    • Recruitment Consultants
    • Resource Management Leads
    • Council Leaders
    • Employment Rights Leads
    • Training Advisors
    • Heads of Training
    • Skills Training Managers
    • Life-Long Learning Managers
    • Employability Skills Managers
    • Union Representatives
    • Central Personnel Services
    • Academics & Researchers

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    • Partner branding on all pre-event marketing campaigns including brochures and email bulletins
    • Partner branding on delegate pack, lectern, directional signage and event holding slide
    • Profile in delegate pack
    • 3m x 2m exhibition space in refreshment area
    • Insert in delegate pack
    • 4 delegate places
      Exhibition Package:
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    • Insert in delegate pack
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