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Advice on Handling Discipline and Grievances at Work
This guide is purely advisory. It complements the Agency’s Code by giving more practical advice and guidance that employers and employees and their representatives will often find helpful both in general terms and in respect of individual cases.
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.”
Webinar - Handling Workplace Grievances
In the ever-evolving landscape of the modern workplace, it's crucial to understand how to effectively manage and address grievances. Whether you're an employee, a manager, or an HR professional, having a solid grasp of the grievance process is essential for maintaining a healthy and productive work environment.
In this webinar, we'll explore the following key areas:
- Understanding the legislative framework underpinning workplace grievances in Northern Ireland.
- Awareness of general principles supporting an effective procedure.
- The process for handling grievances.
- Dealing with common issues that may arise.
Video Guide to the Employment Tribunal Process
Law Centre NI has launched a new video guide to the Employment Tribunal process, which will help people to understand what they should expect when submitting a claim to the Tribunal.
Available in English, Hungarian, Lithuanian and Polish, the Guide is split into two chapters so that people can learn about the steps that they will go through before a Hearing takes place, as well as what happens on the day of the Hearing.
You can access the video and the written guide at this link:
Guide to the Employment Tribunal | Law Centre Northern Ireland (lawcentreni.org)
For more information, contact our Workplace Information Service team at 03300 555 300 or Law Centre NI at 028 9024 4401.
Leaflet 9. Workplace Communications
February 2016
Most employees need to be instructed about their jobs. But keeping employees informed about other more general matters at work is just as essential and can contribute to the efficiency of any organisation.
National Minimum Wage Changes 2020
The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2020
These Regulations are the annual amendments to the National Minimum Wage legislation which has existed since 1999 and they come into effect on 1/4/20.
The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020
The purpose of these regulations is to reduce burdens on businesses employing salaried staff (those paid an annual salary in equal instalments) from complying with the NMW rules, without removing protections or benefits for workers.
Webinar - Dignity at Work
This webinar covers the principles and practice of ensuring staff experience dignity in the workplace.
Public Authority Statutory Equality and Good Relations Duties - Annual Progress Report 2015-2016
This report has been prepared using a template circulated by the Equality Commission. It presents our progress in fulfilling our statutory equality and good relations duties, and implementing Equality Scheme commitments and Disability Action Plan.
Disciplinary matters
February 2016
This Information Note provides guidance on general principles in relation to discipline. It is not a substitute for the Agency’s Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.