While the whole series is worth a listen, these five standout episodes are especially relevant for those advising on internal policies, risk management, and employee wellbeing.
1. Addiction at Work: Legal, Practical and Human Considerations
This episode tackles the complex issue of addiction in the workplace - how it affects performance and wellbeing, when it could potentially form the basis of a disability discrimination claim under the Equality Act 2010, and factors to take into account when responding to a situation where an employee's addiction is impacting their work or their colleagues.
It’s essential listening for legal teams reviewing disciplinary procedures, absence policies, or wellbeing strategies. The Work Couch also shines a light on the lived experience and social stigma of addiction in its first live episode, where Mark Ash, Lived Experience Coordinator at The Forward Trust, shares his own powerful story.
2. Disability at Work: What is a "Reasonable Adjustment"?
This two-part series takes a deep dive into this complex and highly litigated area of employment law. Part 1 looks at the legal components of the duty to make reasonable adjustments and whether or not employers must have knowledge of a disability to trigger the duty. Drawing on case law, part 2 considers what reasonable adjustments look like at each stage of the employment life cycle. A must-listen for in-house counsel advising on recruitment, attendance and performance management, and redundancy processes.
3. Trauma in the Legal Workplace: What Employers Need to Know
This thought-provoking episode explores how trauma, including vicarious trauma, can manifest in legal and professional environments, and what employers can do to create psychologically safe workplaces. For in-house counsel advising leadership or HR, it offers important insights into the less obvious signs of trauma, the commercial benefits of fostering a trauma-informed culture, and the role of leadership in embedding that culture.
4. Carers in the Workplace: Legal Duties and Inclusive Practice
12,000* people in the UK become unpaid carers every day and two thirds of adults are expected to care at some point in their life, but many employers don’t realise how invisible carers' needs can be - or how easily they can offer support to ensure that people don't have to choose between their careers and their caring responsibilities. This episode dives into what the law requires, the importance of flexibility, and what inclusive policies look like in practice. It’s a must for any in-house lawyer reviewing leave, flexibility, or EDI frameworks.
* https://www.carersuk.org/press-releases/12-000-people-in-the-uk-become-unpaid-carers-every-day/
5. Supreme Court Update: Defining ‘Sex’ in Employment Law
A timely and important look at the landmark For Women Scotland Ltd decision and how it affects the legal definition of “sex” in relation to single-sex facilities. Focusing on the law, this episode helps unpack the legal implications of the case and offers practical measures for employers to balance their legal obligations with their cultural and inclusivity goals, especially in relation to their trans colleagues. For in-house teams navigating this evolving and emotive area, it's a clear and balanced resource.
Whether you're updating policies, advising on an employment issue, or simply staying informed, these episodes offer the kind of real-world perspective and legal depth that in-house teams can act on. You can listen to all episodes via your preferred podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or through RPC’s website.
All information in each episode is correct at the time of recording. The Work Couch is not a substitute for legal advice.
