Workplace relationships are nothing new but, for UK employers, the stakes have never been higher. In this episode we pinpoint risk and compliance issues to watch out for.

Close relationships at work are a fact of life, but they can be notoriously tricky for employees and employers to navigate. And if something goes wrong, there can be far reaching legal, reputational and regulatory impacts for employers.

In this episode of The Employment Exchange podcast, Ashurst Perkins Coie partner and Head of Employment, UK & Europe, Ruth Buchanan, is joined by colleagues Sarah-Jane Gemmell and Katharine Foster, pinpoint some of the issues, risks and unintended consequences that employers need to be prepared for. In just 20 minutes, this episode covers:
How hybrid working has “muddied the waters” for employers
The hallmarks of an effective workplace relationships policy that balances employees’ privacy with the employer’s legitimate interests. (As Kate puts it: “Document everything.”)
Power imbalances, consent, and the risks of favoritism, harassment, discrimination, victimization and constructive dismissal claims
Legal and regulatory changes to help prevent sexual harassment – including increased employer accountability from October this year under the Employment Rights Act 2025
How employers should respond when a relationship is declared, creates a conflict in reporting lines, or comes to an end
Common mistakes to avoid and mitigate against.

Hear the episode by searching for “Legal Outlook by Ashurst Perkins Coie” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player. And find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts at ashurstperkinscoie.com/podcasts.

Newsflash: We’ve just launched The Employment Exchange, which brings together all the latest insights and updates from Ashurst Perkins Coie’s UK employment team.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

Workplace relationships are nothing new but, for UK employers, the stakes have never been higher. In this episode we pinpoint risk and compliance issues to watch out for.
Close relationships at work are a fact of life, but they can be notoriously tricky for employees and employers to navigate. And if something goes wrong, there can be far reaching legal, reputational and regulatory impacts for employers.
In this episode of The Employment Exchange podcast, Ashurst Perkins Coie partner and Head of Employment, UK &amp; Europe, Ruth Buchanan, is joined by colleagues Sarah-Jane Gemmell and Katharine Foster, pinpoint some of the issues, risks and unintended consequences that employers need to be prepared for. In just 20 minutes, this episode covers:
<ul>
<li>How hybrid working has &ldquo;muddied the waters&rdquo; for employers</li>
<li>The hallmarks of an effective workplace relationships policy that balances employees&rsquo; privacy with the employer&rsquo;s legitimate interests. (As Kate puts it: &ldquo;Document everything.&rdquo;)</li>
<li>Power imbalances, consent, and the risks of favoritism, harassment, discrimination, victimization and constructive dismissal claims</li>
<li>Legal and regulatory changes to help prevent sexual harassment &ndash; including increased employer accountability from October this year under the Employment Rights Act 2025</li>
<li>How employers should respond when a relationship is declared, creates a conflict in reporting lines, or comes to an end</li>
<li>Common mistakes to avoid and mitigate against.</li>
</ul>
Hear the episode by searching for &ldquo;Legal Outlook by Ashurst Perkins Coie&rdquo; on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player. And find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts at <a href="https://www.ashurstperkinscoie.com/en/podcasts/">ashurstperkinscoie.com/podcasts</a>.
Newsflash: We&rsquo;ve just launched <a href="https://www.ashurstperkinscoie.com/en/what-we-do/employment/">The Employment Exchange</a>, which brings together all the latest insights and updates from Ashurst Perkins Coie&rsquo;s UK employment team.
The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

The commercial world is always changing and the legal landscape never stands still. Keeping pace with all those changes, and knowing how they affect your organisation, is a big responsibility and a challenging task. Ashurst Legal Outlook will keep you at the forefront of the most pressing legal issues, offering insights from legal experts across our international network.

The commercial world is always changing and the legal landscape never stands still. Keeping pace with all those changes, and knowing how they affect your organisation, is a big responsibility and a challenging task. Ashurst Legal Outlook will keep you at the forefront of the most pressing legal issues, offering insights from legal experts across our international network.

A podcast series that will keep you across the global trends and local issues that are shaping the legal landscape and impacting organisations.

Ashurst Legal Outlook Podcast

With regulation and legislation constantly shifting, Legal Outlook helps you stay one step ahead. In each episode, we flag legal changes to watch out for, explain what they mean for organizations, and suggest practical ways to respond. Featuring insights from seasoned legal professionals from across our global network.

With regulation and legislation constantly shifting, Legal Outlook helps you stay one step ahead. In each episode, we flag legal changes to watch out for, explain what they mean for organizations, and suggest practical ways to respond. Featuring insights from seasoned legal professionals from across our global network.

Ashurst Perkins Coie Legal Outlook

Workplace relationships are nothing new but, for UK employers, the stakes have never been higher. In this episode we pinpoint risk and compliance issues to watch out for.