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COVID-19 Update
The Northern Ireland Engagement Forum was established by the Department for the Economy. It is chaired by the Labour Relations Agency and comprises the Confederation of British Industry, Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses NI, Institute of Directors, Manufacturing NI, NI Retail Consortium, the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, SOLACE, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), the Labour Relations Agency and the Public Health Agency.
The Forum advises the NI Executive on how best to manage the challenges Covid-19 places on NI businesses and workers.
The Forum has produced A Practical Guide to Making Workplaces Safer which has been approved by the NI Executive and is now available to support organisations and workers across Northern Ireland to take appropriate measures to keep everyone safe.
Key resources
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COVID-19 - Advice for Employers and Employees
As Coronavirus in Northern Ireland continues, It is important that businesses and workers know what their rights and responsibilities are when it comes to protecting staff and themselves from the spread of the virus.
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Covid-19 Practical Guidance: The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
This document provides some key facts about the CJRS, information about how to access the scheme, and some sample templates. It is updated as more information becomes available. Please check that you are working to the most recent version.
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Webinar - Advice on Handling Redundancy
This webinar provides useful information and advice on the topic of redundancy. It illustrates how to ensure the process is managed fairly and in line with employment legislation.
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Covid-19 - Collective Conciliation Service Interim Delivery Arrangements
This document provides an update on how we are managing our Collective Conciliation Service due to the coronavirus threat.
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Employer-Led Conciliation Service Non-Employment Tribunal (Non-ET) Interim Delivery Arrangements
In line with existing public health advice and the Agency’s consequent decision to halt all face-to-face contact between staff and service users it has been necessary to rethink the practical arrangements governing delivery of a number of the Agency’s services including the Employer-Led (Non-ET) Conciliation Service.
Priority services
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Workplace Information Service
The Workplace Information Service, which provides information to employers and employees about employment matters – this service is available by telephoning 03300 555 300, or visit the information pages on this site.
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Early conciliation and employer-led conciliation
Further information on these services, and how to access them, is available here. These services will not, however, be delivered face to face.
Latest News
-Minister launches public consultation on parental bereavement leave and pay
Find out more here
-LRA's second webinar on topic of Redundancy now available
Watch it here.
- Parents returning to work after extended leave eligible for furlough
People on paternity and maternity leave who return to work in the coming months will be eligible for the government’s furlough scheme, HM Treasury announced today (9 June). Information on this is available here
-LRA delivers its first webinar - Managing Mental Health in the Workplace - hosted by NICVA
Watch it again here.
-Chancellor extends Self-Employment Support Scheme and confirms furlough next steps.
The government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will be extended, giving more security to individuals whose livelihoods are adversely affected by coronavirus in the coming months. Information can be found here
-Minister to bring forward Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay legislation for NI
Economy Minister Diane Dodds confirmed she will bring forward legislation for Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay in Northern Ireland. The Department for the Economy will proceed with a consultation on parental bereavement leave and pay. Find out more here
Our approach
Given the ongoing threat to public health posed by Covid-19 (Coronavirus), we have regrettably had to make a number of changes to the services provided by the Labour Relations Agency.
These changes are to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and their families, and our customers. We also want to ensure that we continue to deliver those services that are of most importance to our customers at this critical time.
Therefore, the Agency will be conducting no face to face meetings with customers. We will endeavour to hold meetings by alternative means such as video conferencing or teleconference. Our staff will, in general, be working remotely and our offices are closed to visitors.
This means that our arbitration, independent appeals and mediation services are suspended for the time being – scheduled hearings and meetings are cancelled and will be rearranged when circumstances allow. No new bookings for these services will be accepted until further notice. Our programme of public and in-company seminars and workshops has also been postponed for the time being.
At this time we believe our approach to the threat is proportionate, but this may change depending on public health advice and the impact of the virus on our staff.
All Agency staff can continue to be contacted via email or via our main telephone number 03300 552 220.