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Were the Redundancies That Took Place during the COVID Pandemic Fair?

  • 6th January 2022
  • Investing in Women
  • 3 mins read
Were the Redundancies That Took Place during the COVID Pandemic Fair? featured image

The Covid-19 pandemic took a toll on women in so many ways, but Hannah Strawbridge is fighting back. Hannah founded the employment law firm HanLaw in early 2020. She also created the #FairRedundancyPledge to encourage businesses to be more transparent about who they make redundant and why.  

Hannah points out to Elizabeth that redundancy is often a confidential process in which the employee may receive an undisclosed amount of money, which opens the potential for discrimination, as men might receive larger settlements than women. She wants businesses to make the #FairRedundancyPledge part of their equity agenda, alongside equal wages. Hannah and Elizabeth then analyse the current situation for women in the workplace, when working from home is a good option for some women but can have a hugely negative impact on others. 

Hannah and Elizabeth also discuss the ins and outs of setting up your own business, from the biggest challenges of getting a business off the ground to why your second year in business might be harder than your first. At the end of the live chat, Hannah shares three great bits of advice for anyone thinking about setting up their own business but hasn’t yet taken the plunge.

Enjoyed this LinkedIn Live? Then check out this replay with Employment Lawyer Tom Stenner-Evans, where we discuss Redundancy – Is It Ever Personal or Just Business? Watch now.

Timestamps

[0:10] Elizabeth introduces her special guest, Hannah 

[1:23] Hannah presents her business, HanLaw and explains why she was motivated to start her own firm

[6:39] The importance of getting appreciation for the work you put in

[7:37] What’s the biggest challenge of starting your own business? 

[9:04] Dealing with illness as a business owner

[10:45] What’s the #FairRedundancyPledge? Hannah lists the reasons why women have suffered more negative impacts from the pandemic than men

[13:08] Analysing redundancies from an employment law perspective

[15:14] Do companies have to report who they’re making redundant in 2022? Hannah lists which companies have signed up for the #FairRedundancyPledge

[16:58] What’s the workplace like for women now? 

[20:00] Hannah, on the future of the #FairRedundancyPledge

[21:48] How to make sure that your redundancies are fair, and how you can sign your company up for the #FairRedundancyPledge

[25:59] “What have you got to lose?”: Hannah gives three great pieces of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs

[28:45] Where to go to find out more about Hannah and HanLaw’s services

Links and Resources

HanLaw

Hannah Strawbridge on LinkedIn

Investing in Women flexible working recruitment website

Investing in Women on Instagram

Investing in Women on LinkedIn

Investing in Women on Facebook

Investing in Women on Pinterest

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