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Who is an employee?
There are differences between ‘employees’, ‘workers’ and ‘contractors’. These differences in status can affect rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
Webinar - Essentials of Employment Law and Role of the Labour Relations Agency
This webinar provides an outline of the key aspects of employment law in Northern Ireland and the role of the Labour Relations Agency in helping employers and employees to understand their legal rights and responsibilities.
2016-Present
Index of employment-related statute (Acts and Orders) 2016-Present
The Transposition into Ireland and NI of the European Directives on Fixed Term Work and Working Time
This report has been prepared by Marguerite Bolger and Barry Fitzpatrick for the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Relations Agency. It contains an examination of the transposition in Ireland and Northern Ireland of the Fixed Term Work Directive and the Working Time Directive, together with analysis of relevant case law.
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.
Early Conciliation
The Labour Relations Agency provides an Early Conciliation service following a change in NI employment law which took effect on 27 January 2020. This service helps to resolve workplace disputes in a legally binding way, without the need to take a case to the Industrial or Fair Employment Tribunal. Click below for more information or to make an Early Conciliation notification.
Conciliation Explained
If someone has lodged a claim to the tribunal about their employment rights a copy is sent to the Labour Relations Agency.
We have a legal duty to offer Conciliation in most cases when someone has a complaint about their employment rights even if no claim has been made to the Tribunal service.
What we do
The Labour Relations Agency provides free, impartial and confidential services to employers, employer bodies, employees and workers in Northern Ireland, as well as Trade Unions, HR and legal professionals.