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Types of problems
Problems can arise in any workplace. Below are some examples, though not an exhaustive list. Employers, employees and their representatives may find it helpful to refer to the Labour Relations Agency's codes of practice, sample letters, flowcharts and guides. Our service is confidential and all our resources are free of charge to anyone working to prevent or resolve a workplace issue in Northern Ireland.
No 150 The Statutory Maternity Pay (Curtailment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015
These Regulations, from the operational date of 15/3/15, allow eligible women to curtail their statutory maternity pay in accordance with section 161(3A) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 in order to enable them to take statutory shared parental pay in accordance with section 167ZU of the 1992 Act.
Fair Employment (School Teachers) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
This legislation was enacted by the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022 and came into effect on 12th May 2024.
From this date, it will be unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of religious or philosophical belief or political opinion in respectof the recruitment or promotion of teachers in schools in Northern Ireland.
Prior to 2003, FETO, and its predecessors, did not prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religious or philosophical belief or political opinion in relation to any aspect of the employment of school teachers. That was due to the effects of article 71 of FETO, commonly known as the teachers’ exception.
This situation changed through a process that began in 2003 when an EU equality law, Council Directive 2000/78/EC, required the exception to be modified and
narrowed. As a result, and since then, FETO has prohibited discrimination on its equality grounds in relation to most aspects of the employment of teachers in
schools; e.g. in relation to pay, training, absence and performance management,
dismissal, harassment.
Despite that change, FETO’s prohibition of discrimination did not apply to the recruitment or promotion of teachers in schools due to the continuing effects of one part of the article 71 exception that remained.
The remaining gap in coverage was filled on 12 May 2024 with the inrtoduction of this legislation.
504 Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996
The Order amends the 1989 Order of the same name which specifies a number of persons or bodies as public authorities for certain purposes under the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 and provides for persons who are to be treated for such purposes as employees of some of these authorities. (see Schedules)
424 Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 1998
This Order amends the 1989 Order of the same name which specifies a number of persons or bodies as public authorities for certain purposes under the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 and provides for persons who are to be treated for such purposes as employees of some of these authorities (see Schedules).
The Maternity Allowance and Statutory Maternity Pay (Normal Weekly Earnings etc.) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020
These changes to regulations mean that people who are entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay and Statutory Shared Parental Pay will not be disadvantaged if they are furloughed.
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.
Holidays and Leave
Employees and workers are entitled to various types of leave depending on their circumstances and the length of time they have been employed.
No. 421 Fair Employment (specification of public authorities) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001
This Order amends the 2000 Order of the same name which specifies a number of persons or bodies as public authorities for certain purposes under the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 and provides for the persons who are to be treated for such purposes as employees of some of these authorities (see schedules).
No 95 The Maternity and Adoption Leave (Curtailment of Statutory Rights to Leave) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015
These Regulations come into operation on 15/3/15 and enable an expectant mother or a mother on maternity leave, or an adopter or a prospective adopter to give notice to end her/his relevant entitlement on a specific future date.