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Estimating the costs of workplace conflict in Northern Ireland
Workplace conflict has a negative impact on organisational performance and the working experiences of those involved. Research commissioned by the Labour Relations Agency on workplace conflict in Northern Ireland suggests that disputes took up valuable time and eroded organisational culture.
These challenges have arguably become more acute in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic with pressure on recruitment, retention, engagement and productivity.
However, leaders and policymakers may underestimate the strategic importance of managing conflict at work. Conflict management is often unseen – taking place in the shadows and behind closed doors. Until recently, lack of visibility has been exacerbated by a lack of robust data. This analysis of the costs of workplace conflict in Northern Ireland finds that 37% of workers experience conflict each year at a cost of £851m.
The report in full can be found below, while our podcast on the topic can also be found here.
Details a written statement must contain
Employers are required to provide employees with a written statement of particulars of employment within two months of the commencement of employment.
Calculation of Holiday entitlement for Term Time/Part year Workers
The Supreme Court decision handed down in the case of Harpur Trust v Brazel on 20th July 2022 has now provided clarity on how statutory leave entitlement for workers who are described as part year workers (i.e. workers who work for varying hours during only certain weeks of the year but have a continuing contract throughout that year), should be calculated.
Time off for trade union duties and activities
An employee who is an official of an independent trade union is entitled to paid time off in certain circumstances.
Trade Union duties and activities
An employee who is an official of an independent trade union which is recognised by the employer must be allowed reasonable time off with pay during working hours to:
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
Women expecting a baby who satisfy the qualifying conditions are entitled to a maximum of 39 weeks SMP.
LRA Public Meeting to Focus on Introduction of New ‘Early Conciliation’ Service
New workplace dispute resolution service required by Employment Act (NI) 2016
Warnings and other disciplinary action
Warnings in the workplace should be part of a disciplinary process and they should be designed to allow employees to change a particular behaviour within a given timeframe. They should be given as quickly as possible after the behaviour occurs. Any sanctions should be proportionate to the alleged offence.
Describing the job
A job description should be an outline of the purpose of the job, its main tasks and duties as well as more general information such as health and safety responsibilities.
Conciliation services
We offer free conciliation services to help parties involved in a workplace dispute to come to a legally binding resolution, without needing to go through a public tribunal. We offer both individual conciliation and collective conciliation, for example where an issue affects a number of employees.