Webinar: Operational risk – the legal landscape for discrimination and harassment law 2026 –session 2 of 2

This is the second IIL inclusion and diversity webinar delivered by Richard Thomasand Evie Williams focusing on best practice in respect of gender reassignment, sex and belief discrimination following the For Women Scotland v. Scottish Ministers (For Women Scotland) judgment; and the potential risks to businesses following the changes to discrimination and harassment laws in light of the coming into force of the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025). Both sessions will provide valuable insights into the fast-changing employment law landscape, ensuring liability practitioners in the insurance sector understand key updates and the risks they pose.

In this second session, the speakers cover:

– Dawn of a new era – the coming into force of the ERA 2025

• Overview and management of key changes and associated risk
• Sexual harassment as a protected disclosure
• New obligations to prevent harassment
• Changes to Non-Disclosure Agreement Rules

– What does this mean for organisations?

• Settle, litigate or go public?
• Increased litigation
• Effectiveness of settlement agreements following the legal changes
• Reputational considerations and management

Learning objectives

• Understand the key changes to, and additional claims risks associated with, harassment and discrimination laws under the ERA 2025
• An understanding of the financial and operational risk to businesses in light of the changes to harassment and discrimination laws under the ERA 2025
• Understand how businesses should be managing the new legal landscape to minimise financial risk

Speakers

• Evie Williams, Associate, Capital Law
• Richard Thomas, Partner, Capital Law
• Chair: Sally Blake, UK Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Zurich