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Starting out
Starting out

There is lots to think about when starting a new job, or when hiring new staff. It is important that there are good processes in place so that everyone meets their responsibilities and everyone’s rights are protected.
Who is an employee?

Hiring

Contracts of employment

Probationary periods

Trade unions

Rights and responsibilities

Right to work in Northern Ireland

Employee engagement
Hours and pay
Hours and pay

When employment contracts end through resignation, retirement, dismissal or redundancy, there are rights and responsibilities for both the employer and employee.
Pay Rates at a glance - April 2024 - March 2025

Pay and wages

Deductions

Rests and breaks

Hours of work

Redundancy pay

Gender pay gap
Holidays and Leave
Holidays and Leave

Employees and workers are entitled to various types of leave depending on their circumstances and the length of time they have been employed.
Public holidays and bank holidays

Annual holidays

Sick leave

Bereavement Leave

Maternity, Paternity and Parental leave

Other types of leave
Workplace policies
Workplace policies

Clear workplace policies and procedures help organisations to be productive, efficient and maintain high levels of staff morale. Ensuring that everyone knows how and why things are done is a key component in establishing best employment practice. Check out our free 'Employment Document Toolkit' to create your own policies and procedures that adhere to legal requirements and best practice, and which meet the particular needs of your organisation.
Employee performance

Health & Safety at Work

Flexible Working

Whistleblowing
Resolving problems
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.
Types of problems

Steps to resolve

Escalating unresolved issues

Preventing relationship problems
Ending employment
Ending employment

When employment contracts end through resignation, retirement, dismissal or redundancy, there are rights and responsibilities for both the employer and employee.
Resignation and termination of employment

Constructive dismissal

Retirement

Dismissal

Redundancy

Giving and Accepting Notice

Final Pay

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Keep up to date with the Labour Relations Agency

Keep up to date with the Labour Relations Agency

Keep up to date with the latest news and events around workplace relations in Northern Ireland

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Head Office (Belfast)

James House
2-4 Cromac Avenue, The Gasworks
Belfast
BT7 2JA
United Kingdom

03300 552 220

info@lra.org.uk
Regional Office (Derry/ Londonderry)

3rd Floor, Richmond Chambers
The Diamond
Derry/Londonderry
BT48 6HN
United Kingdom

03300 552 220

info@lra.org.uk