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Who we are
The Labour Relations Agency (the Agency) was established in 1976 with responsibility for promoting the improvement of employment relations in Northern Ireland. It is independent and publicly funded.
Flexible Futures 2024
The Labour Relations Agency, in partnership with Timely Careers, and supported by the Department for the Economy, will host #FlexibleFutures24, a conference examining the case for flexible working, on Thursday 14 March 2024 in Stranmillis College, Belfast.Retirement
Older workers can choose when they retire and can take any occupational pension they’re entitled to. Usually the employer cannot force an employee to retire.
Gender pay gap
The gender pay gap measures the difference between average (median) hourly earnings of men and women, usually shown by the percentage men earn more than women.
Adoption leave
Employees who are adopting are entitled to time off in a similar way to maternity leave.
Induction
When an employee starts work, the employer has a duty of care towards them. This includes making sure that they can do the job safely and competently.
We Are Moving!
On 6 December 2022, the Labour Relations Agency moved its Head Office to James House, 2-4 Cromac Avenue, the Gasworks, at the bottom of Belfast's Ormeau Road. Our Regional Office remains at Richmond Chambers, The Diamond, Derry/L'Derry. Read more here.
Please note that phone numbers (03300 555 300 and 03300 552 220) and email addresses will remain the same.
However, there is a wealth of guides and resources on our website which may still have our old Gordon Street address. We are working our way through these to update them with the new address.
Piece worker
Piece workers are paid for the work that they produce rather than the number of hours worked.
Independent appeals
The Agency also facilitates a range of independent appeals (mainly grievance, bullying / harassment and discipline), for example where the final stage of an organisation’s procedure offers the option of 'an independent appeal of the decision via the Labour Relations Agency'.
Probationary periods
Employers may sometimes state that a contract of employment is permanent subject to the completion of a satisfactory probationary period.