Search Results
Economy Minister welcomes new legislation to protect Northern Ireland workers
Economy Minister Diane Dodds has welcomed new employment legislation which will benefit workers across Northern Ireland.
The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 extends protections against detriment in health and safety cases to workers in relation to any action they may take to protect themselves or others where they reasonably believe there is serious and imminent danger in their place of work.
It will come into operation on 31 May 2021. At present, these protections cover only employees.
The Order must be approved by a resolution of the Assembly within six months of coming into operation. It must therefore be confirmed on or before 31 November 2021.
The move has its origins in a Judicial Review brought by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain against the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Health and Safety Executive in Great Britain.
A High Court Judgment was published in November which directed that the Health and Safety Framework Directive and the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Directive should apply to a wider group of workers, not just employees.
Minister Dodds said: “This Order is about more than about responding appropriately to the decision of a High Court ruling. It will also give clarity to business and individuals.
“As businesses emerge from lockdown, everyone will need to be protected during the transition back to the workplace.
“This Order will allow some of our most vulnerable workers the legal protection they need to act to ensure their own safety and the safety of others without fear of suffering detriment for doing the right thing. This includes protecting them against being denied promotion or training opportunities.”
Joint Newsletter between the Labour Relations Agency and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland June 2012
Our second edition examines some key issues and cases that impact on organisations throughout Northern Ireland, including - complying with The Bribery Act (2010); pending changes in employment law in GB, “equality law in GB, ROI and NI - similar but not the same” and assistance for small employers provided by both the Labour Relations Agency and the Equality Commission.
Employee grievances
November 2021
This Information Note provides guidance on general principles in relation to employee grievances. It is not a substitute for the Agency’s Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.
Promoting Equality in Employment for Women Affected by Menopause
This guide has been developed in partnership with the Equality Commission and Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Disciplinary matters
February 2016
This Information Note provides guidance on general principles in relation to discipline. It is not a substitute for the Agency’s Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.
Labour Relations Agency Arbitration Scheme - Guide to the Scheme
Revised January 2013
The Agency was given the power to introduce the Scheme by the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, as amended, and the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998. Subsequently, the Scheme has been established by means of the Labour Relations Agency Arbitration Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2012.