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COVID-19 - Advice for Employers and Employees

As Coronavirus in Northern Ireland continues, It is important that businesses and workers know what their rights and responsibilities are when it comes to protecting staff and themselves from the spread of the virus.

Preventing relationship problems

The best way to prevent relationship problems is to have policies and procedures that are fair, constructive and clear and there should be constructive communication to address issues as quickly as possible.  We can help you to check if your policies and procedures are in line with best practice.

However, where relationships have been damaged by events in the workplace, the Labour Relations Agency can provide impartial and confidential mediation, conciliation or arbitration support to help resolve the situation.

Deductions from pay - employers

This section covers deduction from pay.

Contractor versus Employee versus Worker

Employees, workers and contractors have different rights and responsibilities.

Types of contracts

In addition to contracts of employment, a number of other types of contracts exist.

Industrial action

This section includes information on official industrial action; unofficial industrial action; repudiation of industrial action; and lawful industrial action.

Time off for trade union duties and activities

An employee who is an official of an independent trade union is entitled to paid time off in certain circumstances.

Informal actions

Whether it’s the employer who needs to raise an issue with an employee, or an employee who would like to make a complaint to their employer, it is useful to consider in the first instance whether an informal approach could be taken to resolve the matter.

Trade Union duties and activities

An employee who is an official of an independent trade union which is recognised by the employer must be allowed reasonable time off with pay during working hours to: