Posted: 13/04/2012
Carey Olsen opened its 2012 Employment Seminar series with To Begin at the Beginning: An HR Guide to Recruitment Law late last month, in both Guernsey and Jersey. The five-part series of breakfast seminars for human resources (HR) professionals will run through to November.
The Guernsey sessions are chaired by partner Mark Dunster and feature associate Rachel Richardson. Future seminars will also include Elaine Gray who will join the firm as new counsel later this month. The Jersey series is chaired by Carey Olsen partner Siobhan Riley with senior associate Huw Thomas and associate Sarah Townsend as speakers.
Advocate Riley said: “Making good recruitment decisions is very important even in a normal economic climate; in current conditions, sound recruitment decisions are essential.”
Advocate Dunster advised that HR practitioners should view recruitment as a risk function given that a wide range of legal and commercial hazards exist.
The speakers advised HR professionals to be aware of potential legal issues from the start of the recruitment process.
“Being aware of the employment law context will enable employers to manage the recruitment process in a way that minimises risk and increases the chances of a positive outcome,” said Mr Thomas.
The sessions offered advice on issues surrounding the entire hiring process, including job advertising, interviewing, pre-employment screening, offer letters and contracts, induction and probation. Ms Townsend noted that: “Employers should carry out thorough pre-employment screening, including verifying qualifications, checking references and appropriate criminal record checks”.
Ms Richardson outlined the legal considerations surrounding researching potential candidates via social media, such as Facebook, Linked In and Twitter. “Research on job applicants must be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Law,” she said. “It is best to be clear with candidates about what information is being collected.”
The Employment Seminar Series will continue on 25 May in Jersey and 29 May in Guernsey, with sessions titled “Managing Absence and Stress in the Workplace”. For more information, contact Maria Perree in Jersey at maria.perree@careyolsen.com or Anna Coombs in Guernsey at EmploymentSeminarSeries@careyolsen.com.
The remaining three topics will be announced in due course but employers are welcome to contact Carey Olsen's employment specialists.
Picture (left to right) Carey Olsen senior associate, Huw Thomas, partner, Mark Dunster and associate Rachel Richardson.