A new event taking place on 16th November will bring together business leaders and organisations from across the region to demystify the rules and responsibilities, and practical approaches to important Employment Rights Act 2025 changes coming into effect on 30th October, alongside existing legislation changes which a recent local survey showed organisations do not have enough awareness of.
The event will be held at Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Club from 3-5pm, in association with Wiltshire Police, Thrings, KR HR & Training Consultancy and SWA, and sponsored by GEL Studios. Bringing together local experts, it will offer clear, practical guidance for businesses navigating issues like Domestic Abuse, which until now have received limited attention in many workplaces.
Designed as a working session for business leaders and HR teams, it will cover what the law now requires, what good support looks like in practice, and how to build policies that protect the people affected.
It comes at a key time. With upcoming legislative change placing greater responsibility on employers to safeguard staff – including those working from home or engaging with third parties – organisations are being asked to take a more active role in awareness and prevention. A recent survey of Wiltshire businesses found that many are unsure where to start: leaders want to do right by their staff but often lack the guidance or framework to do so.
According to the ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales, up to year ending March 2025, estimates 8.6% of the population over the age of 16 have experienced harassment, over 7.7 million people have experienced some form of sexual assault and 3.8 million people have experienced Domestic Abuse so this event is designed to address, with practical, actionable input the scale of the challenge for all employers.
Speaking ahead of the event, local organiser and businessman James Phipps said:
“This unique, free session is not a networking event, it is not being designed for sales opportunities. It is purely to give local leaders the right insight and knowledge to understand their legal responsibilities and can then act accordingly.”
Mark Cooper, Deputy Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police said:
"Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls is one of Wiltshire Police's operational priorities, and partnership working is essential to improving outcomes for victims. By equipping employers with the right knowledge and support, we can work together to identify risks earlier, safeguard those affected and help prevent further harm. I encourage leaders from organisations across Wiltshire to attend this event and play their part in creating safer communities."
Carey Willis Fleming, Senior Associate at Thrings said:
“The upcoming change in the law is a significant development for employers, and we want to ensure businesses understand what is changing and the obligations these changes will bring for their organisation.”
Kathryn Fairlie, Director at KR HR & Training Consultancy said:
“On top of the changes in employment law, the way in which many businesses operate has evolved over recent years, with homeworking increasingly prevalent. This seminar will help employers to consider different risks in a practical, logical way, including being mindful of how domestic abuse can impact people at work. The right response as an employer can change, and potentially save, someone’s life.”
Those interested in attending can book their free tickets through EventBrite
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