8.45 – 9.30 – Registration and welcome coffee 

9.30 – 9.45 – Welcome remarks from International Employment Lawyer 

9.45 – 10.45 - Session 1: India’s new labour codes - if and when? 

India’s much-anticipated new labour codes herald significant reforms in employer-employee relationships across wages, health and safety, social security, and industrial relations. Expectation remains that the new codes may be implemented in 2025. So how should employers prepare? This session will provide general insight into these changes, explore what impact they will have on businesses operating in India, and offer practical advice on how to ensure smooth implementation and ongoing compliance. 

Moderator:

Vikram Shroff, Partner, AZB & Partners

Panellists:

Amulya Chinmaye, Counsel, ServiceNow
Harish Chopra, CEO, HGS Business Services
Manoj Rajendran, Associate General Counsel, Amazon
Pranshu Bhutra, Senior Corporate Counsel, Infosys

10.45 – 11.15 – Coffee break 

11.15 – 12.15 - Session 2: Achieving DEI success by eliminating sexual harassment 

It’s been over a decade since the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act was enacted, but with the number of reported cases of sexual harassment on the rise, compliance remains an issue. This session will look at how companies can proactively create a safe and inclusive working environment for female workers and offer strategies for effective DEI implementation through case studies and practical advice. 

Moderator:

Preetha Soman, Partner, JSA

Panellists:

Prof. (Dr.) Avinash Dadhich, Founding Director, School of Law, Dirubhai Ambani University
Isha Malhotra, Shareholder, Littler
Preeti Sirohi, Head-Employee Relations, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals   
Reshma Raja, Associate General Counsel, Commvault

12.15 – 13.45 – Networking Lunch 

13.45 – 14.45 – Session 3: An evolving labour relations landscape 

India’s dynamic labour market continues to offer opportunities and challenges for businesses of all sizes. But key to success within the market is understanding how to effectively engage with trade unions. In this session experts will share strategies for building constructive relationships with organised labour, look at how best to conduct negotiations, and consider how to reach mutually beneficial agreements while balancing organisational goals and employee interests. 

Moderator:

Abe Abraham, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

Panellists:

Abhishek Thanvi, Executive Director & Associate General Counsel, JP Morgan Chase
Apeksha Mattoo, Partner, Trilegal
Himanshu Mathur, Associate Director - Legal Employment Law, Accenture
Priyanka Mukherjee, Legal Director, Pfizer

14:45 – 15.15 – Coffee break 

15.15-16.15 - Session 4: Navigating the internal investigations maze 

As the regulatory environment becomes more complex and employee rights gain greater prominence, organisations must ensure their internal investigations processes are thorough, legally compliant, and culturally sensitive. This session will offer actionable insights on how to manage investigations effectively while minimising legal risks and unique challenges faced by employers in India. 

Moderator:

Manishi Pathak, Founding Partner, Anhad Law

Panellists:

Abhishekh Kanoi, Head of Legal, PDS Limited
Disha Bhomawat, Senior Director, Legal Counsel (Employment APEC), Marriot International
Dr. Swapnil Chatur, Senior Legal Counsel, Accenture

16.15 – 17.15 - Session 5: The termination playbook

From resignations to restructurings and forced exits, clear termination policies and procedures must be in place to ensure employers remain compliant with labour laws. This session aims to equip organisations with the knowledge to handle various termination scenarios effectively, advising on what constitutes grounds for termination under Indian law, the legal requirements and employee rights in each scenario, and discussing how to best implement this and avoid costly and time-consuming litigation. 

Moderator:

Pooja Ramchandani, Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co

Panellists:

Akriti Sarkar, Senior Legal Counsel, Standard Chartered Bank
Anshul Prakash, Partner, Khaitan & Co
Rea Zaiwalla-Dandiwala, Head Legal, BNP Paribas Group
Sahiti Gopalajosyula, Senior Legal Counsel, Oracle 

17.15 – 17.30 – Closing remarks from International Employment Lawyer 

17:30 – 19.30 – Close and networking drinks reception