HR challenges to go under the spotlight at conference

Changing Times is this year's theme for Northern Ireland's leading HR conference organised by Legal Island and sponsored by Carson McDowell Solicitors and the Belfast Telegraph.

Co-ordinator Scott Alexander, Legal Island, said: "The recession has put huge pressure on HR professionals to help maintain company viability whilst sustaining customer satisfaction through ongoing quality of product and service delivery.

"Such rapid pace of change has created a new set of challenges for personnel departments. This conference will provide advice and practical solutions from respected HR practitioners and others who have managed change successfully and will facilitate wide-ranging discussions on topical issues during afternoon workshops."

The conference, which is taking place at the Ramada Hotel on April 22, will begin with three panel discussions, the first to be led by Judith Gillespie, deputy chief constable of the PSNI, and Pauline Shepherd, director of HR at NI Water.

Other speakers include those from Caterpillar, Randox Laboratories, Great Place To Work UK and B&Q, as well as Beverly Lowry, former head of Internal Communications at British Airways. There will also be practical workshops on strategic HR issues and employment law led by BITC, Carecall, Alexander HR and solicitors Carson McDowell.

Orlagh O'Neill, partner and head of Carson McDowell's employment team, said: "Employment Law moves faster than any other area and the coming year is no exception; new proposals including the removal of a default retirement age and new workplace dispute resolution procedures are close on the horizon. In order to keep ahead HR professionals need to know about the impact of these matters."

To register for the conference online visit www.legal-island.com.

Click to download a copy of the conference brochure.