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Health & Safety at Work
Employers have a duty to protect their employees and visitors from harm. They must do risk assessments and they must report any serious incidents to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland. Employees are expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety.
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.
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.
Annual Closedowns
Employers may elect to close their business at certain times of the year. (Christmas/new year)
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.
Public duties
Under certain circumstances employers must give employees who hold certain public positions reasonable time off to perform the duties associated with them.
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.
Public holidays and bank holidays
Employees are not automatically entitled to paid time off for bank and public holidays.
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.
Deducting training costs from final pay
This section covers deducting training costs from final pay.