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Wider list of healthcare professionals to sign fit notes from July 2022
The list of those who can sign Fit Notes will change from 1 July 2022 to include registered nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists, in addition to doctors. Find the legislation here.
Webinar - Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay
This short webinar provides all the key information employers and employees need to know about Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay legislation which came into effect in Northern Ireland on 6 April 2022.
Economy Minister welcomes new legislation to protect Northern Ireland workers
Economy Minister Diane Dodds has welcomed new employment legislation which will benefit workers across Northern Ireland.
The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 extends protections against detriment in health and safety cases to workers in relation to any action they may take to protect themselves or others where they reasonably believe there is serious and imminent danger in their place of work.
It will come into operation on 31 May 2021. At present, these protections cover only employees.
The Order must be approved by a resolution of the Assembly within six months of coming into operation. It must therefore be confirmed on or before 31 November 2021.
The move has its origins in a Judicial Review brought by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain against the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Health and Safety Executive in Great Britain.
A High Court Judgment was published in November which directed that the Health and Safety Framework Directive and the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Directive should apply to a wider group of workers, not just employees.
Minister Dodds said: “This Order is about more than about responding appropriately to the decision of a High Court ruling. It will also give clarity to business and individuals.
“As businesses emerge from lockdown, everyone will need to be protected during the transition back to the workplace.
“This Order will allow some of our most vulnerable workers the legal protection they need to act to ensure their own safety and the safety of others without fear of suffering detriment for doing the right thing. This includes protecting them against being denied promotion or training opportunities.”
No.103 The Race Relations (Interest on Awards) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007
This Order amends the 1997 order of the same name by clarifying that cases on which interest is calculated does not include an award in respect of costs, allowances or preparation time.
No. 93 Working Time (Amendment) Regulation (Northern Ireland) 2002
These Regulations amend the Working Time Regulations (1998) with regard to – leave (4 weeks), removal of the 13 week qualification rule and the ‘accrual’ of leave in the first year of employment.
No 145 The Sex Discrimination Order 1976 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015
The Regulations, from 6/4/15, amend the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order1976 to comply with an EU Pilot investigation concerning the transposition of Council Directive 2004/113/EC in Northern Ireland.
Resolving problems
Issues and problems can arise in any workplace. If not resolved they can cause lasting damage to individuals, to the business and to relationships. It is important to ensure there are fair processes in place to deal with problems and that organisations adopt a best practice approach. We run free training seminars and briefings and have guides, template policies and flowcharts to help. Where additional support is needed we offer free, impartial and confidential conciliation, mediation and arbitration services.
No 157 The Cross-Border mediation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
Although these Regulations do not specifically relate to employment there are aspects of them that could apply in an employment dispute which is cross border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Customer Complaints Policy and Procedure
This document sets out what to do if you have a complaint about the services we have provided at the Labour Relations Agency.
We updated this customer complaints policy and procedure in February 2023.
569 The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
These Regulations amend the 1982 Regulations of the same name and address matters such as: records to be maintained by the employer and provisions for monies that exceed SSP in relation to record keeping.