Manchester HR Conference to Address Complex Employee Dismissal Challenges

Trinity Chambers barrister Helen Hogben will chair the Manchester HR Conference titled "Dismissal for HR: Shaping New Developments into Solution-Focused Answers for Employers" on March 25, 2026 at The Lowry Hotel. The conference aims to help HR professionals navigate the complex landscape of employee dismissals with practical, court-proven solutions. Hogben, an experienced employment and discrimination barrister with a national practice, will deliver the keynote address and lead discussions with a panel of legal experts addressing some of the most challenging issues facing employers today.

The conference agenda includes sessions on managing obstructive behavior, with Rebecca Peck of Bexley Beaumont exploring strategies for progressing performance management when employees resist engagement or take sick leave. Danielle Ingham from Mills & Reeve will provide guidance on handling "word-against-word" scenarios involving inappropriate behavior between employees at off-site events. Angela Brumpton of Gunnercooke will discuss accommodating undiagnosed neurodivergence in the workplace, particularly when reasonable adjustments do not yield required improvements.

Additional sessions will address cultural misalignment with Mary Walker from Gordons examining when to act on employees who are negative or disruptive despite not objectively underperforming. Bryn Doyle of Lewis Silkin will offer insights on minimizing legal risks when addressing persistent absences caused by mental health conditions. Naeema Choudry from Eversheds Sutherland will clarify complexities around "suitable alternative employment" for employees on maternity leave during redundancy situations, as detailed in her notable cases.

Hogben's appointment as Junior Counsel to the Crown in 2023 and her extensive experience in complex employment cases make her particularly suited to chair this conference. The event offers five hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for delegates and includes networking opportunities throughout the day. The conference represents a significant opportunity for HR professionals to gain practical guidance on handling dismissals fairly and legally while staying informed about evolving employment law developments.