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Trade unions
The Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 defines a trade union as “an organisation (whether permanent or temporary) which … consists wholly or mainly of workers of one or more descriptions and is an organisation whose principal purposes include the regulation of relations between workers … and employers or employers’ associations.
Rests and breaks
Employees are entitled to breaks for meals and to rest. As far as possible employers should provide breaks, facilities and comfortable surroundings for additional needs such as breastfeeding or expressing milk.
Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP)
From April 2024 Statutory Shared Parental Pay will paid at £184.03 per week or 90% of average weekly earnings (AWE), whichever is lower.
Volunteers
A volunteer is not an employee or a worker and does not have an employment contract.
Dismissal
Employees can be dismissed for reasons such as gross misconduct or a fundamental breach of contract. A fair and robust process should be followed where all parties have certain rights and responsibilities.
Suspension
An employer may decide to suspend an employee temporarily from work if they are involved in a disciplinary situation, or for maternity or medical reasons. Usually an employee who is suspended is entitled to their normal pay during their suspension.
Statutory Sick Pay
Employers are responsible for the payment of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for periods of illness of four days or more up to a total of 28 weeks' absence in any one period of incapacity for work.
Personal grievances
Grievances are concerns, problems or complaints that employees may raise with their employers.
Giving and Accepting Notice
If the employer or employee wishes to end the employment relationship they must give each other notice.
Payslips
Employers are legally obliged to provide employees with an itemised pay statement. These are usually called payslips or wage slips.