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Minister announces publication of assessment and response to Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay consultation
Economy Minister Diane Dodds today announced the publication of her Department’s assessment and response to the recent consultation on Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay.
10X REASONS (AND MORE) FOR GOOD EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS – A CONFERENCE
There are many reasons for ensuring good employment relations, not least because they are key to organisational success. Above all, if employers get this right, it will help lead to the inclusive and thriving ‘10X economy’ that is the economic vision for Northern Ireland.
This major stakeholder conference brings together employers, HR professionals, trade unionists and others to explore how we create a framework of best practice that will help turn the vision for a 10X economy into a reality through good employment relations.
Volunteers
A volunteer is not an employee or a worker and does not have an employment contract.
LRA Confirms Spike in Calls from Distressed Hospitality Sector
NI’s Labour Relations Agency (LRA) has recorded a spike in calls from the local hospitality sector following the emergence of the Omicron variant and tightening of public health restrictions and introduction of new guidance to respond to this.
Deductions from pay - employers
This section covers deduction from pay.
Leave without pay
There may be circumstances where an employee is required to take unpaid leave from their employment.
Economy Minister welcomes new legislation to protect Northern Ireland workers
Economy Minister Diane Dodds has welcomed new employment legislation which will benefit workers across Northern Ireland.
The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 extends protections against detriment in health and safety cases to workers in relation to any action they may take to protect themselves or others where they reasonably believe there is serious and imminent danger in their place of work.
It will come into operation on 31 May 2021. At present, these protections cover only employees.
The Order must be approved by a resolution of the Assembly within six months of coming into operation. It must therefore be confirmed on or before 31 November 2021.
The move has its origins in a Judicial Review brought by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain against the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Health and Safety Executive in Great Britain.
A High Court Judgment was published in November which directed that the Health and Safety Framework Directive and the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Directive should apply to a wider group of workers, not just employees.
Minister Dodds said: “This Order is about more than about responding appropriately to the decision of a High Court ruling. It will also give clarity to business and individuals.
“As businesses emerge from lockdown, everyone will need to be protected during the transition back to the workplace.
“This Order will allow some of our most vulnerable workers the legal protection they need to act to ensure their own safety and the safety of others without fear of suffering detriment for doing the right thing. This includes protecting them against being denied promotion or training opportunities.”
Employer-led Early Conciliation
Early Conciliation is available to employers who are dealing with a workplace dispute which could result in a claim being made to the Industrial or Fair Employment Tribunal. The employer's representative can also contact us to request Early Conciliation on the employer's behalf.
Lyons to bring forward Miscarriage Leave and Pay regulations for NI
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons today launched a consultation which will bring forward dedicated legislation for Miscarriage Leave and Pay in Northern Ireland.
Collective bargaining
This is one method that employers use to work with trade unions or works councils to negotiate matters such as terms and conditions of employment for certain groups or all their employees.