The government has announced plans for sweeping changes to employment law in a bid to reduce regulation and stimulate growth.

But what do the changes mean in practice?

The proposals and their implications will be explored in a series of three employment law workshops presented by South East law firm Furley Page.

The workshops, run in partnership with Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, will be held in February and March and are open to Chamber members and non-members, whatever the size of their workforce.

Leading the interactive workshops will be Andrew Masters, partner and head of employment at Furley Page.

"These workshops are essential to help employers and HR professionals keep up to date with the ever-changing complexities of employment law," he said.

"As well as practical guidance, there will be question and answer sessions so there's plenty of opportunity for delegates to raise issues of concern."

Mr Masters will be joined by Amanda Okill, a senior solicitor who specialises in employment law, and financial planning manager Simon Ludden, a specialist in pensions and independent financial advice. He will advise on pensions auto-enrolment.

The workshops are to be held at a new venue for 2012, the Mercure Hotel, Hollingbourne, Maidstone (previously the Ramada/Great Danes), from 8am to noon. They are:

�� Employment Law Update – Thursday, February 23. It will include proposed and recent changes to employment law, latest reforms and implementation of European Directives as well as updates to pension auto-enrolment plans.

�� Investigating Discipline and Grievances in the Workplace – Thursday, March 8. It will provide everything from practical guidance on how to prevent costly disputes to latest changes in unfair dismissal law.

�� Managing Sickness Absence – Thursday, March 22. It will highlight the increasing importance of disability discrimination law and how best to avoid potential claims.

�� Workshops cost £35 to Kent Invicta Chamber members and £45 to nonmembers.

To book call David Durrance on 01233 503838 or email david@kentinvictachamber.co.uk.