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Escalating unresolved issues
Some issues in the workplace cannot be resolved informally so it is important that there is a fair and clear escalation process where each side meets their responsibilities. The Labour Relations Agency can offer information, flowcharts and codes of practice to help. We also offer confidential and impartial conciliation, mediation and arbitration services to help parties resolve issues without needing to go to tribunal.
The Agency is a public body with statutory responsibilities so there is no charge for our services.
Customer Complaints Policy and Procedure
This document sets out what to do if you have a complaint about the services we have provided at the Labour Relations Agency.
We updated this customer complaints policy and procedure in February 2023.
Steps to resolve
When there is an issue in the workplace, employers and employees have a number of options and steps they can take to resolve it, ranging from informal conversations to formal processes and procedures.
Labour Relations Agency Corporate Plan 2017-2021
This Corporate Plan covers the four-year period from April 2017 to March 2021. It sets out how the Agency intends to contribute to the effectiveness of the Northern Ireland labour market through the delivery of high quality employment relations services.
LRA Podcast - 'Challenging Workplaces' - Part 1
In this first episode of the Labour Relations Agency's podcast, entitled 'Challenging Workplaces', Mark McAllister, Director of Employment Relations Services and Keelin Kelly, Communications Manager, discuss societal issues that are now also being recognised as workplace issues - such as domestic violence, menopause and gender identity.
Employer-Led Conciliation Service Non-Employment Tribunal (Non-ET) Interim Delivery Arrangements
In line with existing public health advice and the Agency’s consequent decision to halt all face-to-face contact between staff and service users it has been necessary to rethink the practical arrangements governing delivery of a number of the Agency’s services including the Employer-Led (Non-ET) Conciliation Service.
Advice on Social Media and the Employment Relationship
It's hard to think of a bigger change in the workplace over the last 10 years than the arrival of social media as a means of communication. Their rapid rise in prevalence and importance is changing the nature of work and how it balances with our private lives.
Labour Relations Agency Disability Action Plan 2020-2023
This action plan follows on from our 2015-2018 action plan and outlines how the Agency intends to implement a number of meaningful actions which we believe will impact positively on both disabled staff and users of our services.
The purpose of our Disability Action Plan is to look at things we could be doing to promote positive attitudes towards disabled people and to encourage their participation in our work areas.
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.
Resolving problems
Issues and problems can arise in any workplace. If not resolved they can cause lasting damage to individuals, to the business and to relationships. It is important to ensure there are fair processes in place to deal with problems and that organisations adopt a best practice approach. We run free training seminars and briefings and have guides, template policies and flowcharts to help. Where additional support is needed we offer free, impartial and confidential conciliation, mediation and arbitration services.