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Potential Problems at Christmas Time
The Labour Relations Agency Workplace Information Service receives enquiries every Christmas from businesses with questions and problems.
To help you prepare and avoid potential issues we have compiled some frequently asked questions which we receive each Christmas season.
Young worker
Young workers are workers who are over school-leaving age and are under 18.
Annual Closedowns
Employers may elect to close their business at certain times of the year. (Christmas/new year)
Resources
We provide a range of resources to help you navigate employment relations in Northern Ireland.
Please note that on 6 December 2022 we will have moved our Head Office to new premises at James House, 2-4 Cromac Avenue, the Gasworks, Belfast. However, some of our guides and resources may still have our old, Gordon Street address on them. We are systematically working our way through to update them with the new address. Phone numbers (03300 555 300 and 03300 552 220) and email addresses remain the same.
Agency structure
The vision and objectives of the Labour Relations Agency are determined by a Board consisting of a Chair and nine members who are appointed by the Department for the Economy (DfE). Staff are direct employees of the Agency. They receive continuous training and development on changes in employment legislation and employment relations practice and procedures.
Holidays and final pay
Employers must pay their employees for statutory holidays (contractual holidays may differ) that have been built up but not taken at the time they leave their employment.
Selecting and appointing
The final stage in the recruitment and selection process is the most important — choosing the best person for the job.
Redundancy pay
The statutory redundancy payment scheme aims to ensure that people who are dismissed through no fault of their own receive compensation. Employees who meet certain requirements are statutorily entitled to a lump sum from their employer.
Preparing for the hiring process
Taking the time to carefully plan the hiring process is important and ensures that you hire an employee with the right mix of skills and characteristics for the job.