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In Personnel Today, Rena Christou, CEO of Empowering People Group, challenges claims that HR is “bloated.” She argues the UK’s highly regulated, increasingly litigious workplace demands strong HR capability, not cuts, particularly as the Employment Rights Act increases pressure. Rather than blaming EDI, she calls for data-led decisions, stronger manager capability and a more proactive HR model to manage rising risk and complexity.
Read moreMake a difference media – Practical actions for the Employment Rights Act
In Make A Difference Media, Beth Bearder, Director of Legal Services at Halborns, warns the Employment Rights Act roadmap needs action now. With strike reforms live and Statutory Sick Pay changes due in April 2026, strengthening manager capability and harassment prevention is critical. By 2027, only organisations that have moved beyond policy updates will be ready.
Read moreHR magazine – Think tank claims EDI policies reduce productivity
Think tank, Policy Exchange, published its latest report, "Putting Business Back in the Driving Seat" in which they claimed EDI policies are "often actively deleterious to the challenges they are purportedly there to solve" and harm productivity. In HR magazine, Empowering People Group CEO, Rena Christou, argues that the report oversimplifies a complex issue - especially in an era when HR teams are already navigating a more challenging employment landscape.
Read moreEPG appointments to support continued growth and customer success
Empowering People Group enters its next chapter with the appointment of Rena Christou as Group CEO. With over a decade of experience within the organisation, Rena brings deep sector expertise to the role. Joining her is Toby Allen as Interim Chief Product Officer, setting new benchmarks for digital-first employee relations.
Read morePeople Management – Litigation lag: the hidden risk HR can’t afford to ignore
Employment law changes are creating a growing risk HR teams may not see coming: ‘litigation lag’. Rena Christou, Group CEO at Empowering People Group, explains that extended tribunal timelines could mean claims surface up to a year after an employee leaves, increasing claim volumes and placing far greater weight on robust ER processes, early decisions and clear documentation.
Read morePeople Management – What HR can learn from recent case discrimination decisions
Race discrimination claims in England and Wales have tripled since 2017. Jess Kelleher, Head of Litigation at Halborns, highlights lessons from recent cases: comments on accents can count as harassment, inconsistent processes make defending claims harder, and workplace culture is closely scrutinised.
Read morePeople Management – Insights on using AI to draft grievances
AI tools like ChatGPT are shaping tribunal claims, with volumes set to rise. Jess Kelleher, Head of Litigation at Halborns, warns of false case law and GDPR risks. Our employee relations transformation specialists at AdviserPlus stress training managers to spot AI use and resolve disputes early to limit risk and support wellbeing.
Read morePeople Management – Fifty years on from the Sex Discrimination Act
The law on harassment has moved on, and it’s still moving. With proactive duties, bigger awards and NDAs under the spotlight, HR and people leaders need to embed anti-harassment practices now, not wait for the next tribunal claim. Jess Kelleher, Head of Litigation, shares her thoughts with People Management.
Read morePeople Management – How can HR ease the burden on the tribunal system?
The tribunal system is at breaking point. An estimated 450,000 people are waiting some form of resolution from a system listing hearings years in advance. Speaking to People Management, Jess Kelleher, our Head of Litigation, shares how incoming day-one rights and extended time limits to bring a claim will only increase the system's struggle to tread water.
Read moreHRDirector – Compliance vs Commerciality
The Employment Rights Bill is set to significantly reshape how organisations manage probation periods, harassment, and redundancy, making early preparation essential. Writing in HRDirector, Rena Christou, Managing Director at Halborns, outlines what employers should prioritise now to stay compliant with the incoming changes, without compromising commercial agility and flexibility.
Read moreBenefits Expert – Top 10 employment law reforms every HR team needs to prepare for
Is your organisation ready for the Employment Rights Bill? With major changes ahead, from day-one rights to changing redundancy rules, it’s crucial to be asking the right questions now. In Benefits Expert, Simon Fowler (CEO, Empowering People Group) and Rena Christou (Managing Director, Halborns) share ten key areas HR should focus on to prepare
Read morePeople Management – Ostracised by colleagues after complaining about sexism awarded more than £1m
A University of Edinburgh professor has been awarded nearly £1.1m after being unfairly dismissed for raising sexism concerns. In People Management, Martin Cornforth, Director of Litigation at Halborns, stresses that policies aren't enough. Employers must take action, support mental health, and respond properly to complaints.
Read morePeople Management – Asda equal pay case could ‘open flood gates’ for other claims
An employment tribunal has ruled that Asda store roles are of equal value to those in its distribution centres, a key step in a long-running equal pay case. Speaking to People Management, Stefan Mars, Head of Legal at Halborns, notes the decision could set a precedent for wider pay equity claims across retail and beyond.
Read morePeople Management – An ‘air kiss’ does not constitute sexual harassment, tribunal rules
A tribunal has ruled that an “air kiss” did not amount to sexual harassment, highlighting the need for a common-sense, case-by-case approach. In People Management, Jess Kelleher, Head of Litigation at Halborns, explains why employers should go beyond policy, training managers, assessing risk and taking consistent action to prevent harassment.
Read morePeople Management – Majority of employers alarmed by new day-one right to unfair dismissal, survey reveals
With day-one unfair dismissal rights and SSP changes looming, many employers are worried about the added burden. In People Management, Stefan Mars, Head of Legal at Halborns, urges a contract review, especially around probation, and better manager training to handle performance and absence.
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