09:30 | Welcome & Scene-Setting
Setting the context for the current industrial relations climate, how the day will unfold, and an introduction to the Chatham House Rule.
09:40 | The Employment Rights Act 2025: Essential Legal Briefing
Speaker TBC | TBC TBC
A comprehensive, plain-English legal update covering everything HR, ER, and legal teams need to review now.
Key timeline changes (statutory recognition, simplified balloting, strike notice windows).
What to expect from the new Fair Work Agency.
Preparing for 2027 collective redundancy and unfair dismissal reforms.
10:25 | The Union Perspective: Navigating the New Era
TBC | TBC TBC
A frank, constructive session from a senior union leader on union strategy, priorities, and genuine partnership opportunities.
Strategic responses to the ERA 2025 and current membership growth trends.
What unions expect beyond pay: voice, dignity, and consultation.
Avoiding the common mistakes that turn relationships into disputes.
11:10 | Morning Break
11:25 | Case Study: Recognising a Union for the First Time
Real-world insights from an employer who has navigated the recognition process, sharing the realities and surprises.
The changing statutory calculation for employers.
Negotiating the agreement and avoiding common first-year pitfalls.
The operational and cultural impacts of recognition.
12:10 | Day-to-Day Union Relations: From Corrosive to Constructive
Practical guidance on building effective ongoing relations and preventing small issues from escalating into ballots.
The critical differences between communication, consultation, and negotiation.
Managing facility time and navigating the new union access rights coming in October 2026.
Spotting the early warning signs of a deteriorating relationship.
12:55 | Lunch & Networking
13:45 | BFI Masterclass: Negotiation Strategy & Psychology
Our flagship session exploring the behavioural dynamics of union negotiation, delivered by experienced practitioners.
Levelling the playing field: preparation, red lines, and understanding union priorities.
Managing pay claims, deadlocks, and cost-of-living pressures.
Adapting strategy for the shortened 10-day notice window and electronic balloting.
14:35 | Industrial Action: Strikes and Rebuilding Trust
A candid look at what happens when industrial relations break down completely and how to recover.
Spotting the warning signs employers consistently miss before a ballot.
Managing operational continuity and legal obligations during a strike.
Leveraging ACAS conciliation and rebuilding trust after a dispute.
15:20 | Afternoon Break
15:35 | The Bigger Picture: Policy and the Next Five Years
A forward-looking strategic session placing the ERA 2025 into the wider context of the UK’s industrial relations shift.
The political economy, digital organising, and targeted sectors.
International comparisons and what the UK can learn from European models.
Building a resilient, long-term ER framework for the years ahead.
16:20 | Expert Panel Q&A
An open, Chatham House Rule forum putting your most pressing questions—submitted in advance and throughout the day—directly to our speakers.
17:00 | Chair’s Closing Remarks
A summary of key themes and three actionable takeaways to bring back to your organisation.
17:10 – 18:30 | Networking Drinks Reception
An informal opportunity to share experiences and continue honest conversations with peers from other organisations in a relaxed, confidential setting.
TBC
TBC
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HireRight
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Full Bio HR & Employee Relations
- HR Directors, HR Managers & HR Business Partners
- Employee Relations & Industrial Relations Leads
- HR Generalists & People Managers in non-unionised organisations
Legal, Governance & Risk
- Employment Lawyers & In-House Legal Counsel
- Company Secretaries advising on ERA 2025 obligations
- Professionals responsible for employment disputes and industrial relations risk
Operations & Union Engagement
- Operations Directors & Senior Managers in unionised environments
- Managers involved in union negotiations
- Leaders managing relationships with union representatives
Particularly relevant for employers in manufacturing, logistics, retail, healthcare, transport, utilities, financial services, higher education and the public sector.
Early Bird
Please choose this rate if you are an industry professional £ 295
00
+VAT- Full-day access
- Lunch & refreshments
- Post-event toolkit
- Networking reception
Popular
Standard Rate
Please choose this rate if you are an industry professional £ 395
00
+VAT- Full-day access
- Lunch & refreshments
- Post-event toolkit
- Networking reception
About
The rules of industrial relations are changing rapidly. With the Employment Rights Act 2025 reshaping the legal framework, employers must prepare for simplified statutory recognition processes, electronic balloting, expanded union access rights, shorter industrial action notice periods, and the growing enforcement role of the Fair Work Agency. At the same time, increased organising activity and further reforms expected in 2027 are creating a more complex and demanding environment for employer-union relations.
Yet, a critical vulnerability remains: many organisations are still relying on outdated employee relations strategies and are unprepared for a recognition request, a breakdown in negotiations, or a period of industrial action. Without a clear framework for managing union representatives, facility time, access rights, pay negotiations, and emerging disputes, small issues can quickly escalate into significant legal, operational, and reputational risks.
This flagship one-day conference provides the practical intelligence and strategic insight needed to navigate this new era of industrial relations. Join senior HR, employee relations, legal, and operational professionals from across the UK to understand the latest legal reforms, gain an honest insight into union priorities, strengthen your negotiation strategy, and build resilient, constructive union relationships that can withstand future change.
Topics Covered
ERA 2025 and the New Legal Framework
Understand every change affecting employer-union relations, including statutory recognition, new thresholds, the Fair Work Agency and the full 2027 reform roadmap.
Building Effective Day-to-Day Union Relations
Develop practical approaches to managing facility time, access rights, union representatives and the early warning signs of deteriorating relationships.
Negotiation, Industrial Action and Dispute Recovery
Strengthen your negotiation strategy, manage legal and operational risks during industrial action, and understand how to rebuild relationships after a dispute.
Union Strategy and Long-Term ER Planning
Gain insight into union priorities, membership trends, digital organising and how to build a resilient employee relations framework that anticipates future change.