"Statutory disciplinary and dismissal procedures create so much work for our managers. We have to go through whole procedure when retiring someone, making them redundant or ending fixed-term contracts. Also dealing with requests for flexible working, we’ve received a lot more of late – as a result some of our staff without children are getting twitchy. In the future, I think we’re going to see more complaints of age discrimination coming through from younger people who believe they have been discriminated against in relation to promotion and redundancy.” Private sector

"Change management and how to change the HR function in the public sector when it’s a bit behind the public sector and under resourced.” Public sector, Northern Ireland

"Higher education and pay evaluation in higher education.” HR consultant

"Determining how HR can play a more strategic role in the organisation.” Private sector

"Succession planning in regards to leadership in the education sector. There is definitely a skills shortage as many senior teachers are close to retirement, however younger staff can be less willing to fill the roles as the perceive them to involve too much pressure.” Education

Avoiding age discrimination when dealing with people who don’t want to retire and dealing with the complexities of the contracts involved.” Public sector

The afternoon continues with a talk by John McMullen on TUPE.