The modern workplace is evolving rapidly, and leaders and managers face an increasingly complex and challenging environment to navigate. Legal 500, in partnership with BHSM, recently hosted a webinar titled “Leading and Managing in a Rapidly Evolving Workplace Environment” to address and discuss these challenges.
The webinar featured an expert panel of industry leaders, including our own Richard Lee, Partner and Head of Employment and Benefits Department at BHSM LLP; Desmond Ryan BL, Employment Law Barrister and Associate Professor at Trinity College Dublin; Fredericka Sheppard, Managing Director & Co-Founder of Voltedge Management, and Joyce Rigby-Jones, Managing Director & Co-Founder of Voltedge Management.
The panellists discussed various topics, including the influx of new and updated legislation, the importance of building sustainable relationships within organizations, the role of authentic leadership, and living cultural values in a post-pandemic world.
They also delved into pressing issues such as diversity and inclusion, mental health, and burnout and how organizations can implement effective practices to address these challenges.
Richard Lee provided valuable insights into new and updates pieces of legislation, such as the Work-Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, Sick Leave Act 2022, and Domestic Violence Leave, and what these mean for businesses in Ireland.
Meanwhile, Joyce Rigby-Jones discussed the challenges that employers and HR departments face in keeping up with these changes and how they can effectively implement these new policies and practices.
Fredericka Sheppard highlighted the importance of embedding values and policies into company culture rather than just having them in writing. She emphasized how this can significantly impact employee retention and job satisfaction and the importance of prioritizing and addressing diversity and inclusion, mental health, and burnout in the workplace.
Desmond Ryan shared his perspectives on employment law litigation and the practical consequences of new and existing employee legislation. He discussed the role of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and examples of cases where organizations might find themselves referred to the WRC. He also shared insights on dispute resolution frameworks and employment disputes in Ireland.
The webinar concluded with an informative panel discussion and a Q&A session, where attendees could engage with the panellists and ask them questions. Overall, the webinar provided a useful and insightful discussion on the rapidly evolving workplace environment and the challenges and opportunities leaders and managers face in navigating this landscape.
