8.15 – 9.00 – Registration and welcome coffee

9.00 – 9.15 – Welcome remarks from International Employment Lawyer 

9.15 – 10.30 – Plenary Session 1: Futurism: Europe at work in the 2030s

What will the workplace look like ten years from now? From AI co-workers and four-day workweeks to decentralised teams and digitally augmented employees, the next decade promises a fundamental reimagining of how, when, and where Europeans work. This forward-thinking session brings together leading experts to forecast the biggest changes coming to the workplace and explore the risks and opportunities that lie ahead. What legal frameworks will need to evolve? Where will new tensions arise? And how can organisations prepare now for the dramatic shifts on the horizon?

10.30 – 11.00 – Coffee break 

11.00 – 12.00 – Breakout Session 1: Prepare now for Europe’s new rules of work

Reflecting a broader global shift toward transparency, accountability, and ethical business conduct, Europe is entering a transformative era of employment regulation. This session brings together legal experts to unpack and provide practical guidance on the most consequential legislative developments on the horizon, including the EU Pay Transparency Directive, the Artificial Intelligence Act, the proposed revision of the European Works Council Directive, and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

11.00 – 12.00 – Breakout Session 2: Under pressure: limiting psychosocial risks at work

Work-related stress, burnout, bullying, harassment, and poor organisational culture pose a growing risk to employee mental health – and a failure to address these risks can result in serious legal, reputational, and performance-related consequences for employers. To mitigate the risk of psychological harms, businesses must take a more proactive and systematic approach to staff wellbeing. This session will explore how employers can meet their legal obligations while building a healthier, more resilient workplace. 

12:00 – 13.30 – Networking lunch 

13:30 – 14.30 – Breakout Session 3: Learning from crisis: key takeaways from the workplace frontlines

From workplace misconduct to massive data breaches, regulatory violations, white-collar crime allegations, social justice movements, terrorism and armed conflict, businesses are under pressure from multiple fronts. This session will explore several real-world case studies to unpack how employers can – and should – respond in a crisis. Experts will share insights into how internal employee relations intersect with public relations, legal compliance, investor confidence, and regulatory expectations.

13:30 – 14.30 – Breakout Session 4: Navigating conflicts of belief in a polarised world

Whether religious, political, ethical, or ideological, conflicts of belief are becoming more frequent and complex – pitting employees against their co-workers and their employer. Adding to the complexity, public and shareholder expectations are pushing businesses to either take a stand on social issues or to stay out of politics altogether. This panel will explore how to lawfully and practically manage belief-related conflicts and balance competing rights with external pressures. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of their legal obligations, the reputational risks, and the practical realities of fostering an inclusive yet respectful working environment.

14:30 – 15.00 – Coffee break

15.00 – 16.00 – Plenary Session 2: Question Time London

With employment and labour law evolving at a rapid pace across Europe, keeping up with the latest trends and developments is a challenge for HR professionals and legal practitioners alike. This interactive panel session provides a unique opportunity for attendees to directly engage with leading experts, gaining real-time insights into pressing issues, future trends, and best practices.

16.00 – 17.15 – Plenary Session 3:  Will the US DEI backlash shape Europe’s workforce strategies?

As the United States enters a new political era, the federal approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has shifted dramatically. Executive actions, policy reversals, and high-profile political rhetoric have already triggered a backlash against corporate DEI programmes, raising questions about the role of business in addressing social inequality and identity-based issues at work. But what does this shift mean for Europe’s employers? Examining the interplay between local policies and cross-border operations, this panel will explore how developments stateside might impact Europe’s approach to workforce management, corporate values, and compliance. 

17.15 – 17.30 – Closing remarks from International Employment Lawyer

17:30 onwards – Close and networking drinks reception