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Discrimination when hiring

Fair treatment is not just a moral and legal obligation but makes good business sense. Employers who treat employees fairly will be best placed to recruit and retain staff in an increasingly diverse and competitive labour market.

Breach of Contract

If an employer fundamentally breaches a contract of employment, it could lead to the employee resigning. If an employee fundamentally breaches a contract of employment he or she could be dismissed.

Contracts of Employment

A contract of employment is a legal agreement between an employer and an employee.  It comes into force when an employee agrees to work for an employer in return for pay. 

Right to work in Northern Ireland

It is important that an employer checks that a job applicant is allowed to work in the UK before they can employ them.  An employer could face a civil penalty if they employ an illegal worker and have not carried out a correct right to work check.  Employers must check the applicant's identity and nationality and make sure that they have the relevant immigration permission or visa in place.    

Deductions from pay - employees

If the amount you have been paid differs from what is expected, speak with your employer first to check what has happened. Your employer can then either correct the mistake or explain why there is a change in your pay.

Resignation and termination of employment

A contract of employment may be ended with the agreement of both parties, or by the employer or employee giving the required amount of notice.

Conciliation services

We offer conciliation services to help parties involved in a workplace dispute to come to a legally binding resolution without needing to go through a tribunal. We offer both individual conciliation and collective conciliation, for example where an issue affects a number of employees. There is no charge for using the Agency's conciliation services.

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.

Warnings and other disciplinary action

Warnings in the workplace should be part of a disciplinary process and they should be designed to allow employees to change a particular behaviour within a given timeframe. They should be given as quickly as possible after the behaviour occurs. Any sanctions should be proportionate to the alleged offence.

Redundancy

When employers wish to make employees redundant they must follow a clear and fair process. The Labour Relations Agency has a redundancy flowchart and sample letters which can help employers and employees in this situation.