Hussain Kayani, Head of Team

What sparked your interest, and career, in employment law?

I first became interested in employment law whilst studying towards my Bachelors Degree in Law. I undertook a specialist module in it during my second year, and I particularly took to the topic of discrimination. I felt drawn to concepts such as equality, fairness and justice, and this inspired me to base my dissertation on the topic of positive action. From there, I was lucky enough to secure a traineeship with an employment law firm, and this allowed me to build an even more thorough understanding of the subject. I think it’s fair to say that I excelled during this period; I even ran my own caseload of Tribunals despite being just a trainee. Further down the line, I secured a position heading up an immigration law firm’s employment law department, and then in 2016 I joined WorkNest as an Employment Law Adviser and Solicitor. All in all, I’ve now been in the field for just shy of a decade. Based on my personal passions combined with the experience I’ve accumulated, I would say my specialties are retail, care, manufacturing and charity, though I like to approach everything with an open mind no matter what it is.

What does your role at WorkNest entail?

Having switched roles multiple times during my time at WorkNest, I currently fulfill the position of Principal Employment Law Adviser and Solicitor. This comprises numerous responsibilities, but most notably I manage my own set of clients, deputise for the Head of Team, assist with managing the Glasgow Employment Law Team, and manage two trainee solicitors. A typical day in my role begins with checking in with my team and ensuring that they are all well. I then respond to emails and calls from my clients, and throughout the day review the work that my trainees have produced and provide them with feedback. I will also liaise with internal teams in relation to BREWS matters (our employee representative forum). I support a very diverse range of clients, which range from key account household names in the retail, manufacturing and care sectors, to small and medium-sized charities. I take a very solutions-focused approach and instil confidence in my clients by providing them with clear, concise and pragmatic advice. I like to think that my clients view me as an extension of their own team.

Which aspect of the role do you enjoy the most, and which do you find most challenging?

To put it simply, I enjoy solving my client’s problems. They contact me because they find themselves in difficult situations, and I feel a great deal of satisfaction when I am able to advise them on the best course of action to take. That said, the role does not come without its challenges, and dividing my time amongst my clients and my internal colleagues is certainly one. However, I believe that my excellent organisation and time management skills allow me to consistently achieve this.