A LEADING Employment Law expert has been shortlisted for a top business award.
Emma Tice is Head of HR & Employment Law at Derby-based Precept, which has its headquarters on the Meteor Centre. She has been shortlisted in the HR Leader category of the Business Desk Leadership Awards alongside employees from Fortitude Nicsa Global, Bentley Project Management UK and Duncan & Toplis.
Emma will find out later this month if she has been successful. The event, which takes place at the Crowne Plaza in Nottingham on March 14, aims to spotlight business leaders across the East Midlands who deliver exceptional client service with a positive impact on the region.
“It has been a huge, transformational year for Precept, and I am delighted to have been shortlisted for these awards,” said Emma, “the calibre of entries is really high.”
Judges include Tracy Harrison, founder of charity Safe & Sound, and Marketing Derby Press & PR Executive – and former Derby Telegraph Business Editor – Robin Johnson.
Emma added: “We’ve grown our team by adding two new members to the team – and welcoming a Precept baby; Associate Robyn Smith became a mum at the end of 2024.
“These new additions have strengthened Precept and, what is pleasing for me, is that even though our team has gone through a period of growth, our core values and ethos has remained stronger than ever – that is vital for our business. Our aim is to build thee business that we would want to work for and our core values really reflect that. That is all of course as well as providing the best and most pragmatic employment law and HR advice for our clients.
“Our events have been extremely popular, with a growing following over the last 12 months – particularly our mock events where the team act out an HR scenario – a Tribunal hearing, a protected conversation and recently in production is a performance management meeting. These are so engaging but also a bit of fun, and go down so well with our delegates. We pride ourselves in hosting fun and informative sessions both online and in-person and these events have, over the past 12 months, resulted in a couple of big client wins.
“Topics we have covered – and ones we plan to cover in the future – include neurodiversity in the workplace, flexible working and the law, and ‘banter’ in the workplace.
“We think that this offering, alongside our other services such as training, outsourced HR and employment tribunals, means that there is something for every business. Providing the HR offering alongside the employment law advice means that we can really cover all of a businesses’ needs and really sets us apart from our competitors.”
The high-flying mum-of-two qualified as a lawyer more than 10 years ago, and joined Precept from national law firm Geldards, where she led their Midlands Employment Team.
She is a big advocate of nurturing female talent and, after the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued new guidance on supporting women going through the menopause, Emma shared her top tips for employers.
“As the business world moves more towards equality between the sexes and as staff are working longer before retiring, the menopause is more exposed in its impact on staff and the workplace,” said Emma. “The menopause and the women who suffer menopausal symptoms are not yet protected in their own right. However, the existing discrimination protections under the Equality Act 2010 already provide certain protections that employers need to be aware of and familiar with their obligations under.
“I’d advise every business to have a menopause policy. This can and should go hand-in-hand with training staff and managers.
“Education on the menopause is really important; as an employer you are likely to be required to consider reasonable adjustments for staff going through the menopause. The new guidance gives some good examples, but this may include allowing more flexible working or provision of alternative equipment, like fans.”
And as we prepare to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, Emma says that women need to be kinder to themselves and each other.
“The pressures on women are all encompassing. We are expected to be super-mum, super-housekeeper, super-employee, super-boss…the list goes on.
“Whilst we are moving much more towards equality, it remains the case that, generally speaking, women are the project managers on all things home and child related, if they have them. So many women feel this pressure and that leads to the high level of burn-out in women.
“Anxiety and stress amongst women is on the increase. Factor in, later in life, the menopause and it’s no wonder that we are losing talented females from the work place!
“The struggle is real, but there is no shame in asking for help. Companies now have a better understanding of wellbeing and menopause in the workplace – although there is still a lot of work to do – and, as we come together for International Women’s Day, it’s time to stand up and be proud; women are great, women are warriors and women need support.”
This story was written and shared on behalf of Precept by Kerry Ganly. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
