In late 2016 the Labour Relations Agency was approached by the employment relations team within Concentrix Belfast to assist and facilitate training for its newly elected members of its’ Employee Consultative Body (ECB). Concentrix are one of the largest private sector employers in Northern Ireland with a diverse and highly skilled workforce from a range of global nationalities. In order to ensure effective direct communication with its employees the company established, via elections, an ECB as a complimentary component to improve its communication and give all its employees a representative voice working within a clear constitutional framework.

The company asked the Labour Relations Agency to come in as an independent body to give independent information and training on the law underpinning an information and consultation body and the roles and responsibilities of representative of a constituency group of employees. A training scheme was designed and delivered to representatives (a number of whom English was their second language which they all spoke perfectly) and who came from a variety of countries including Norway, Romania, France, Jordan, Scotland and of course Northern Ireland. Concentrix Employee Relations Specialist Pauline Greer said “ our ECB Representatives found the training to be very informative and they feel that have gained a greater understanding of their new roles and responsibilities. The group finished the training feeling confident and more empowered to carry out their roles”