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Leaflet 1. Know the Law
February 2016
Employees have a range of legal rights derived from national or European legislation and these are summarised in this leaflet
Trade unions
The Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 defines a trade union as “an organisation (whether permanent or temporary) which … consists wholly or mainly of workers of one or more descriptions and is an organisation whose principal purposes include the regulation of relations between workers … and employers or employers’ associations.
Disciplinary procedures
Disciplinary procedures are used for dealing with problems with employees' conduct or their performance, which could lead to warnings or dismissal.
Statutory Paternity Pay
When your wife, partner or civil partner gives birth or adopts a child, you may be entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay.
Shared Parental Leave (SPL)
SPL is a legal entitlement for eligible parents of babies due, or children placed for adoption, on or after 5 April 2015.
Whistleblowing
The Public Interest Disclosure (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 protects those who report serious wrongdoing in the workplace from dismissal or detrimental treatment as a result of their whistleblowing.
Resignation and termination of employment
A contract of employment may be ended with the agreement of both parties, or by the employer or employee giving the required amount of notice.
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.
Collective bargaining
This is one method that employers use to work with trade unions or works councils to negotiate matters such as terms and conditions of employment for certain groups or all their employees.
Pay Rates at a glance - April 2024 - March 2025
Each April sees the increase to the National Living and Minimum Wage rates, and other statutory rates of pay
The tables below show the current rates applicable for the above, and the revised rates which will apply from April 2024.
If you have any queries regarding these matters, please feel free to contact our Workplace Information Service on 03300 555 300