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LRA Research Uncovers Lack of Training in NI to Manage Workplace Disputes
Fewer than half of employers in Northern Ireland train managers to prevent or resolve workplace disputes. This was a key finding of research carried out on behalf of the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) by Cardiff Business School.
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.”
New employer-focused ‘Guide to Childcare’ supports employees and boosts economy
As labour shortages and staff retention continues to impact the economy, the issues associated with accessing or affording appropriate childcare - viewed by many parents as one of the main barriers to employment – have been addressed in a new Guide for Employers.
New rates for National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage
From the 1st of April 2024, the changes in respect of the above are as follows:
* If you are 21 and over, you will be entitled to £11.44 per hour (National Living Wage)
* If you are between 18-20, you are entitled to £8.60
* If you are under 18 or an Apprentice, you will be entitled to £6.40
Please note that to avail of the National Minimum Wage you must be at least of school leaving age
In Northern Ireland this means If you turn 16 during the school year (between the 1st of September and the 1st of July) you can leave school after the 30th of June.
If you turn 16 between 2 July and 31 August you can’t leave school until 30 June the following year.
You can access the relevant legislation by clicking on the link below
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/432/made
LRA Pride Discussion Encourages Workplace Respect
This week the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) marked Belfast’s Pride Festival week by hosting a panel discussion to help businesses and organisations manage workplace conversations on diversity issues, which some may regard as ‘difficult’ or ‘sensitive’.
Labour Relations Agency, Fermanagh Enterprise Ltd and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to Offer Free ‘Essentials of Employment Legislation’ Event
The Labour Relations Agency, Fermanagh Enterprise Limited and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have joined forces to offer a free event on the Essentials of Employment Legislation on Tuesday 8 October.
Calculation of Holiday entitlement for Term Time/Part year Workers
The Supreme Court decision handed down in the case of Harpur Trust v Brazel on 20th July 2022 has now provided clarity on how statutory leave entitlement for workers who are described as part year workers (i.e. workers who work for varying hours during only certain weeks of the year but have a continuing contract throughout that year), should be calculated.
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.
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.
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.