Thank you to everyone who joined our recent legal webinar, delivered in partnership with Penningtons Manches Cooper and led by employment law partner Mike Cole.
This highly informative session explored the challenges and responsibilities facing HR professionals when managing issues around capability, disability, and absence in the workplace. Mike shared legal insights and practical guidance on navigating performance concerns, handling sickness absence, and understanding the duty to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act.
Key themes included:
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What legally constitutes ‘capability’
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How to manage underperformance fairly
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The impact of mental health and hidden disabilities
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Using medical evidence and documentation
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When and how to approach settlement discussions
The session also included a live Q&A, where real-world scenarios were explored—such as managing performance concerns during pregnancy, dealing with long-term sickness absence, and the legal risks of dismissing employees covered by income protection.
