Barrister Helen Hogben will chair the Manchester HR Conference "Dismissal for HR: Shaping New Developments into Solution-Focused Answers for Employers" on March 25, 2026 at The Lowry Hotel. The event aims to help HR professionals navigate the complex legal landscape of employee terminations with court-proven strategies.
Hogben, an employment and discrimination barrister with Trinity Chambers who was appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown in 2023, will deliver the keynote address and lead discussions with a panel of legal experts. Her experience in complex cases, detailed in her notable cases, positions her to guide practical conversations about evolving employment law.
The conference addresses critical challenges facing employers today, with sessions covering nuanced aspects of dismissal law. Rebecca Peck of Bexley Beaumont will explore managing obstructive behavior when employees resist performance management through allegations of bullying or sick leave. Danielle Ingham from Mills & Reeve will provide guidance on handling "word-against-word" scenarios involving inappropriate behavior at off-site events.
Neurodivergence in the workplace presents particular challenges, which Angela Brumpton of Gunnercooke will address, focusing on situations where reasonable adjustments for undiagnosed conditions don't yield required improvements. Mary Walker from Gordons will examine cultural misalignment, discussing when to act on employees who are negative or disruptive despite not objectively underperforming.
Mental health and absenteeism represent another complex area, with Bryn Doyle of Lewis Silkin offering insights on minimizing legal risks when addressing persistent absences caused by underlying mental health conditions. Naeema Choudry from Eversheds Sutherland will clarify the complexities of "suitable alternative employment" for employees on maternity leave during redundancy situations.
The full-day event offers five hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for delegates and includes networking opportunities. Hogben's commitment to professional development through seminars and webinars informs her approach to chairing this forward-thinking conference. The conference matters because employee dismissals carry significant legal and financial risks for organizations, with evolving legislation around neurodivergence, mental health, and maternity protections creating new compliance challenges for HR professionals across industries.
