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About the Labour Relations Agency
We provide a free, impartial and confidential employment relations service to those engaged in industry, commerce and the public services. Our services include the provision of advice on good employment practices and assistance with the development and implementation of employment policies and procedures. We are also active in resolving disputes through our conciliation, mediation and arbitration services.
Arms-Length Body (ALB) Review of the Labour Relations Agency (LRA)
In April 2023 the Department for the Economy (DfE) engaged Business Consultancy Services (BCS) to complete a review of the Labour Relations Agency (LRA). The review was conducted in line with Cabinet Office guidance, namely Tailored Reviews: Guidance on Reviews of Public Bodies (May 2019) and Guidance on the undertaking of Reviews of Public Bodies (December 2022).
Equality statement
The Labour Relations Agency fully supports the elimination of all forms of discrimination in employment.
No. 141 The Disability Discrimination (Guidance On The Definition Of A Disability) (Appointed Day) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008
This Order appoints 21/4/08 as the day for the coming into operation of new guidance entitled “Guidance to be taken into account when determining questions in relation to the definition of disability” as issued in Northern Ireland by OFMDFM.
Latest News
Keep up to date with the latest in employment relations in Northern Ireland
No. 441 The Labour Relations Agency (Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures) (Jurisdictions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
This Order comes into operation on 1/1/12 and essentially provides for complaints under Regulation 51 of the Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007 to be covered as a jurisdiction to which the new Labour Relations Agency Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance will apply.
No. 571 (C. 39) The Employment Relations (2004 Order) (Commencement No.4 and Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005
This is the final implementation order for the Employment Relations (NI) Order 2004 and essentially it brings into effect, as of 8/1/06 the remaining matters not implemented by the previous three commencement orders.
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.
Increase of limits on Tribunal awards and payments under employment rights legislation
The Department for the Economy has made a statutory rule entitled The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (legislation.gov.uk).
The Order increases, from 6 April 2023, limits applicable to certain awards and payments under employment rights legislation in line with the Retail Prices Index.
The Department has issued a press release relating to the above changes in limits - https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/news/department-economy-announces-annual-increase-limits-unfair-dismissal-and-redundancy-payments.
For details on the limits for previous years, please access the following link https://www.legislation.gov.uk/primary+secondary?title=The%20Employment…
432 Collective Redundancies and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999
These Regulations are derived from a European Directive and amend provisions relating to information and consultation on redundancies.