Navigating Legal Compliance: HR's Guide to Keeping Up with Employment Laws and Regulations

Keeping up with legal and legislation changes is critical to being a high performing HR professional. With each new tribunal case comes updates to best practice, a shift in regulations, and significant implications for your business. 

But, don’t think you have to go trawling through case notes to learn about updates to best practice. Instead, check out this list of modern resources where you can get the Sparknotes version of legislative changes. Whether you prefer a podcast, a training seminar, or a scroll through social media, there’s something for everyone on this list. Keep reading to learn some of our favourite methods of keeping up to date with legislative changes. 

Traditional Solutions to HR Compliance   

Check out some of these more traditional methods of keeping abreast with HR compliance changes:

You can attend regular training courses which will keep you up to date with changes to employment law, the latest tribunal cases, any updates to best practice as a result.

Try searching for ‘Employment Law Training Courses + [Your Area]’ on your favourite search engine. This is great for auditory learners and those who prefer a traditional, classroom environment. 

The downside of these training courses is that they can be time-consuming and may require you to take time away from your daily responsibilities. Plus, they may not be tailored to your specific industry or organisational needs, and you may need to pay to attend

Seminars are a quick and easy way to get the information you need in a condensed way. Seminars are usually set up by HR companies, charities, and other industry associations. They can be attended online or in person, are usually free, and take no longer than two hours.

However, these seminars are highly specialised, meaning you’ll need to attend a few to give a thorough overview of current legislation. For example, charities concerned with supporting disabled workers will give updates on support for these workers, while companies concerned with pregnant workers will give updates around parental best practice. 

Printed magazines are an often overlooked but highly effective way to get your hands on the latest HR compliance information. Many HR magazines offer in-depth articles, case studies, and expert insights on various compliance topics, including employment law updates, workplace safety regulations, and HR best practices.

Subscribing to reputable HR magazines or journals allows you to receive regular updates delivered directly to your mailbox or inbox. These publications often cover a wide range of industries and provide valuable insights tailored to HR professionals.

However, the downside of relying solely on magazines is that they may not always provide the most up-to-date information, as there is often a lag between publication and distribution. 

Modern Solutions to HR Compliance   

We live in a modern and interconnected world, meaning you don’t have to rely on old fashioned resources to keep up to date with legislation. Check out these fun and unusual ways to get your HR fix:

Subscribe to Email Newsletters

Get the latest changes to HR law and legislations straight to your inbox with email newsletters. Many reputable HR organisations, legal firms, and industry experts offer email newsletters that deliver timely updates, analysis, and insights directly to your inbox. 

Try visiting the websites of a few HR or legal companies you know and respect and sign up to their mailing list. Many will be happy to send you their HR knowledge once a month. And, bonus— it’s usually completely free!

Listen to Podcasts

Don’t underestimate the power of a podcast. Check out your favourite podcast provider and you’ll find a ton of fun, engaging, and informative podcasts. The hosts will discuss current cases they’re interested in, any changes to legislation, and interview industry thought leaders to give their perspectives on current HR topics. 

Listening to podcasts is a convenient way to stay updated on HR topics while on the go. Try listening in the car on your commute, as background noise at work, or while on a lunchtime walk. 

Follow HR Thought Leaders on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great source of knowledge. This professional networking website has lots of brilliant thought leaders who regularly share landmark tribunal cases, interesting articles, insights, and updates on HR compliance and best practices. This will help you keep up to date with the latest industry changes, developments, and any trends you need to be aware of. 

However, there’s no use following all thought leaders you come across. Many will share the same types of information, and some ‘LinkedIn Influencers’ are even guilty of outright copying the posts of their colleagues! To avoid duplication we advise building your ‘following’ list slowly, carefully curating the information you ingest based on what’s genuinely useful and interesting to you. Don’t be afraid to utilise the unfollow button if a creator isn’t adding value to your feed. 

Don’t Underestimate Social Media

Social media can be a great resource for staying updated on HR compliance and best practices. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram are not just for personal use— they can also serve as valuable tools for professional development in HR.

For example, there’s a really interesting community of young HR professionals on TikTok. They share stories from the front line of HR (suitably anonymised, of course), answer questions sent in to them, and generally highlight how they would ethically deal with complex cases. This can help those just starting in their careers understand the thought process behind what goes into these complex cases, preparing them for a future of Employee Relations (ER) excellence. 

Watch YouTube videos and TedTalks

YouTube is a great tool for both HR leaders trying to stay ahead of the curve and newbie HR professionals looking for great how-to guides on managing ER casework.  Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, you’re sure to find fun, engaging, and professional content on YouTube.

TedTalks are short, powerful presentations given by industry leaders, experts in their field, and life coaches. They are presented to a live audience, recorded, and put on YouTube and the TedTalks app. Although they aren’t technical tools for keeping up with legislation, they’re great for helping you develop empathy, critical thinking, and to give insight into different industries. Don’t underestimate the power of a TedTalk in gaining fresh perspectives on different aspects of human behaviour, leadership, and innovation. 

Key Takeaways

• HR has a responsibility to keep up with legal, legislative, and best practice updates.
• You can take part in more traditional training methods or use micro-learning methods like social media, newsletters, and YouTube videos.
• You can also use HR management tools like Plumm to streamline your learning process, manage training courses, and stay compliant with HR regulations.

Keep Up To Date On HR Learning with Plumm

Keeping up to date with your HR education is a must, especially if you want to stay competitive and effective in your role. 

HR professionals have a choice of more traditional educational methods, like seminars, training sessions, and magazines, or they can branch out into more modern methods of education. These include HR social media communities, podcasts, email newsletters and more. 

You can also use HR management tools like Plumm to keep up with your training and compliance. Plumm is an all-in-one HR solution, offering task lists, training courses, people management tools, and more.

Sign up for a free trial today!