Conference Chairperson & Opening Remarks

Michelle Burke, Senior HR Manager, Cpl Resources

Gender Pay Gap Reporting – Are you ready for the 31st of December?

Sharon Dillon Lyons, Barrister-at-Law, Law Library

Probationary Periods in Hybrid and Remote Working

• What should a probationary clause contain?
• How often should performance be assessed/discussed during probation?
• What happens if an employee is sick during a probationary period?
• Can we discipline an employee during a probationary period?
• What is good practice in managing probationary periods?
• How can managers give suitable support to remote workers during their probation period?
• The importance of personal reviews to support remote workers
• Can probationary periods be shortened as well as lengthened?
• Dismissing during and after a probationary period.

Megan Hughes, Graphite HR Consultant

Supporting positive mental health in the workplace

Mental health in the workplace:

• What is it and why does it matter?
• What are the legal and HR policy requirements?

How can you support positive mental health?

• Improving the employee experience – from recruitment to retention
• Reviewing and developing HR policies and supports

Who needs to support positive mental health in the workplace?

• The role of line managers – awareness, supporting, signposting
• The role of leaders in creating supportive psychologically safe cultures

Sile O’Donnell (FCIPD), HR Consultant and Adjunct Professor in HRM and Organisational Behaviour, Trinity College Dublin

Will menstrual leave come to Ireland?

• Why menstrual leave?
• Is leave necessary?
• Is this likely to be introduced?
• What can employers do now?

Claire Macken, Solicitor, RDJ

Whistleblowing – EU Whistleblowing Directive

• Scope of the legislation extended
• Greater clarity for whistle-blowers and employers
• New Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner

Dr Lauren Kierans BL, Lecturer in Law, Maynooth University, Department of Law and Criminology

New Code of Practice on Sexual Harassment and General Harassment at work

• What Does the Code Cover?
• What Is the definition of Harassment and Impact of Harassment?
• What Is the Code’s Purpose?
• The Route to Resolution
• What Are the Employer’s Obligations?
• How Should the Complaints Procedure work and Investigations Be Conducted?

David Bell, Managing Director, The HR Department Ltd.

Global Mobility and Immigration

• Navigating Ireland’s immigration system
• Ensuring ongoing immigration compliance
• Mobility and immigration in a remote world
• The immigration landscape beyond 2022

Ángel Bello Cortes, Partner, Fragomen Ireland

Key Elements the Work Life Balance Bill aims to introduce

• Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022.
• Flexible Working Requests
• Medical Care Leave
• Breastfeeding
• The Right to Maternity Leave for Transgender Men

Fredericka Sheppard, Co-Founder and Managing Director (Joint) Voltedge Management