Your first Employment Tribunal: What every HR Professional needs to know

About this event

Early career: Part of our early career stream of monthly events for people at the start of their journey in HR, L&D or OD.

A claim has been submitted. The paperwork has arrived. Now what?

For many early-career HR professionals, the prospect of supporting an employment tribunal can feel daunting. It's one of those moments that can quickly push you outside your comfort zone, yet it's also a valuable learning opportunity that can accelerate your development and understanding of employment relations.

In this practical and engaging session, experienced HR practitioners will take you behind the scenes of a real employment tribunal case, sharing what happened, how they prepared, the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned along the way.

You'll gain a realistic understanding of what HR's role looks like before, during and after a tribunal, helping you feel more confident should you ever find yourself supporting a case in your own organisation.

We'll explore:

• What happens when an employment tribunal claim is received
• The role HR plays throughout the process
• Gathering evidence and preparing documentation
• Working with managers, witnesses and legal teams
• Common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid
• What experienced HR professionals wish they'd known before their first tribunal

You'll leave with:

• A clearer understanding of the employment tribunal process
• Greater confidence in supporting employee relations cases
• Practical insights from experienced HR practitioners
• A better understanding of how HR decisions can impact legal outcomes
• New connections with fellow CIPD members at a similar career stage

Whether you're studying towards a CIPD qualification, working in your first HR role or preparing for your next career move, this session will provide valuable insight into one of the most significant employee relations challenges many HR professionals will encounter.

Join us to hear the realities, lessons learned and practical advice that can only come from people who've been there.

Guest speakers profiles:

Sally Sellwood, Employment Law Consultant at CIPD

Sally works across the CIPD’s Public Policy and Knowledge Content teams, advising on employment law. She qualified as a solicitor in the Government Legal Department’s Employment Litigation team. Sally has also been Vodafone UK’s employment lawyer and spent time working in a dual marketing manager/HR business partner role at a fast-growth SME.

George Whalley

HR Director, People Operations and Business Partnering at L&Q

George is HR Director, People Operations and Business Partnering at L&Q, one of the UK's largest housing associations. He leads a team of over 75 HR professionals and is a member of L&Q’s Senior Leadership Team.

Over a career spanning more than 20 years, he has worked across various sectors, helping organisations develop high-performing cultures, strengthen colleague engagement and successfully navigate significant change. His experience includes managing complex employee relations matters and employment litigation, having attended numerous Employment Tribunals over the years, including as a witness for his employers on a couple of occasions and once undertaking advocacy on the employer's behalf – something he much prefers to leave to the lawyers!

As well as being a former chair of The CIPD branch in Manchester, George is an experienced trustee and governor, having served in a range of voluntary roles. Outside work, he lives in South Manchester with his wife and their dog and enjoys DIY, wine-tasting, comedy and running.

Tash Powers, HR Business Partner, North Manchester Clinical Group

As a HR professional, Tash has operational and strategic experience in both public and private sector organisations including local government, retail, manufacturing, customer service and warehouse/delivery.

She has spent just over 8 years with the NHS where she Is now a HR Business Partner at MFT, one of the largest trusts in the UK. She has a passion for AI and how technology can help develop our field.

In other areas of her work Tash has launched and chaired the Carers Staff Network and have acted as an NHS Ambassador for Inspiring the future to help the next generation consider a career in Healthcare.

Katie Huthwaite, HR Business Partner, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Katie is an experienced HR professional and since beginning her HR career in 2006, has worked in complex, people-focused organisations across public transport and, more recently, the NHS.

She has broad experience in employee relations, workforce management and organisational change, providing practical and trusted advice to managers and colleagues.

Confident in managing sensitive and complex cases, supporting service transformation and balancing employee needs with organisational priorities, Katie is passionate about fair and consistent HR practice and believes that clear communication, collaboration and empathy are key to achieving positive outcomes. She takes pride in building strong working relationships and helping leaders and teams navigate change with confidence, professionalism and sound judgement.