Programme

9.00

Registration and coffee

9.20

Welcome and introduction to the day
Dr John Ballard, editor of Occupational Health [at Work]

9.25

The legal system: where does our law come from, how is it applied and what happens when we get it wrong?
Prof Diana Kloss, barrister

  • Acts, regulations and codes of practice
  • European directives
  • The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
  • Case law – why are the courts so important in developing the law?
  • Negligence – when work causes ill health or injury
  • The different courts and tribunals
10.20

Consent and confidentiality
Diana Kloss

  • What the law says – and which laws apply when
  • Professional ethics – how do they fit in?
  • Who owns the information?
  • What do you do if a lawyer asks you for health information about an employee?
  • What does it all mean for day-to-day practice?
11.10

Coffee

11.30

Disability (and other) discrimination
Nick Hanning Partner, Dutton Gregory LLP

  • The Equality Act 2010
  • When is a person disabled under the Act?
  • Pre-employment health screening – what you can ask when
  • What is a reasonable adjustment and how far does the employer need to go?
  • Pregnancy and age discrimination
  • Disability discrimination case study
12.40

Lunch

13.40

Fit for work
Diana Kloss

  • Unfair dismissal law
  • Sickness absence as a potential reason for dismissal – your role in the process
  • Advising employers on fitness for work of employees – legal compliance and good practice
  • Fit for disciplinary – what happens if the employee goes off sick with ‘stress’ as a result of the disciplinary process?
  • Implications of the new Fit for Work service
14.40

OH legal surgery
Diana Kloss and Nick Hanning

Your chance to have your questions answered

15.00

Tea

15.20

OH professionals and the legal system
Nick Hanning

  • Legal liability of the OH professional
  • Importance of keeping excellent records
  • Preparing for tribunal
16.10

Final questions

16.15

Close of conference

Benefits of attending

How will attending this training benefit you?

The training takes you through the key legal areas that you need to understand – and on which, crucially, your employer may expect you to advise.

  • If you are new to this area, the workshop starts from basics and does not assume any prior knowledge, starting from the fundamentals of where our law comes from and how it is applied.
  • If you are looking for a refresher, you’ll be able to enhance your knowledge to bring it right up to date! We look at some key cases – illustrating how a basic understanding of the law can help prevent things from going wrong.
  • From dealing with issues of confidentiality and consent in the workplace to advising on reasonable adjustments and fitness for work issues, you’ll comprehend how the law affects your day to day work.
  • You’ll gain an understanding of how you can prepare and protect yourself – and your employer – if a court case should arise.

Book Online View Details