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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.
Keep up to date with the Labour Relations Agency
Keep up to date with the latest news and events around workplace relations in Northern Ireland
Legislation
Welcome to the Labour Relations Agency’s employment legislation link pages. We have attempted to collate all relevant employment legislation (Primary and Secondary) on these pages for our users’ ease of reference. Essentially users will get a brief summary of the content of the legislation and then a link to the www.legislation.gov.uk website delivered by the National Archives via www.nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Types of employment status
There are different types of employment status, including agency workers, apprentices, piece workers, posted workers and young workers. Further information on each is provided below.
Escalating unresolved issues
Some issues in the workplace cannot be resolved informally so it is important that there is a fair and clear escalation process where each side meets their responsibilities. The Labour Relations Agency can offer information, flowcharts and codes of practice to help. We also offer confidential and impartial conciliation, mediation and arbitration services to help parties resolve issues without needing to go to tribunal.
The Agency is a public body with statutory responsibilities so there is no charge for our services.
Service Standards
The Agency's service standards are set out in our Customer Charter. Any complaint about the delivery of an Agency service can be brought to a Director of the Agency.
We will fully investigate the complaint and respond within ten working days. If the person complaining is not satisfied with the response he/she can raise it with the Chief Executive who will reply within ten working days.
If the individual is still not satisfied he/she can refer the matter to the Ombudsman. A copy of the Agency’s Customer Complaints Procedure, which includes guidance on raising a complaint is available from the Agency or can be downloaded here.
Maternity, Paternity and Parental leave
Pregnant employees are entitled to up to one year’s maternity leave. Paternity leave is available if certain criteria are met. Parents are also entitled to 18 weeks’ unpaid leave for each child up to their 18th birthday.
Privacy Notice
LRA (Labour Relations Agency) Privacy Policy
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.
10X REASONS (AND MORE) FOR GOOD EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS – A CONFERENCE
On Thursday 23 February 2023, we hosted our “10X Reasons and More for Good Employment Relations in NI” conference at Titanic Belfast.
This major stakeholder conference brought together employers, HR professionals, trade unionists and others to explore how we create a framework of best practice that will help turn the vision for a 10X economy into a reality through good employment relations.
Included on this page are some of the highlights of the event