Search Results
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.470 (C.29) The Disability Discrimination (2006) Order (Commencement No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006
This Order continues to introduce ( as of 1/1/07) some components of the 2006 Order which is being phased in during the first half of 2007.
Types of contracts
In addition to contracts of employment, a number of other types of contracts exist.
557 Disability Discrimination (Services and Premises) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
These Regulations address many issues including the following matter: ‘justified’ treatment, insurance, premises, deposit refunds, entering agreements where the disabled person is acting through an agent.
Sharp rise in redundancy enquiries to the Labour Relations Agency
Our Workplace Information Service have observed a notable surge in enquiries from both employees and employers regarding redundancy.
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.
Amendment to the Working Time Regulations - Pay and Carryover of holidays
The Working Time (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 came into force on 1st January 2024 and set out the legal obligations on carry over of holiday and what constitutes pay for the purposes of calculating holiday pay.
561 The Disability Discrimination Code of Practice (Goods, Facilities, services and Premises) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996
This Order stipulates 2nd December 1996 as the date when the Code of Practice on the Rights of Access to Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises comes into force.
327 The Disability Discrimination Code of Practice (Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises) Order (Northern Ireland) 1999
This Order stipulates 1/10/99 as the date on which the Code of Practice on the Right of Access to Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises comes into effect.
280 (13) The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Commencement No. 3 and Saving and Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996
This Order stipulates 11th July 1996 as the day in which further components of the 1995 Act come into operation of a Code of Practice relating to help for persons suffering discrimination, and on 2nd December 1996 provides for: discrimination against applicants and employees, meaning of discrimination, duty of employer to make adjustments, small business exemption, enforcement, remedies, discriminatory adverts, discrimination against contract workers, discrimination by trade organisations (as defined), alterations to premises under lease, discrimination in relation to goods, facilities and services, small dwelling exemptions, victimisation, aiding unlawful acts, liability of employers and so on.