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Potential Problems at Christmas Time

The Labour Relations Agency Workplace Information Service receives enquiries every Christmas from businesses with questions and problems.

To help you prepare and avoid potential issues we have compiled some frequently asked questions which we receive each Christmas season.

Labour Relations Agency Customer Charter

Key Governance Documents

This publication explains the standards you can expect from us when you use any of our services.

We want to hear what you think of our Charter and our services. This document also tells you how to provide feedback to us.

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’.

Independent appeals

The Agency also facilitates a range of independent appeals (mainly grievance, bullying / harassment and discipline), for example where the final stage of an organisation’s procedure offers the option of 'an independent appeal of the decision via the Labour Relations Agency'.

Arbitration services

Those who have submitted a tribunal claim will also be offered access to the Labour Relations Agency’s Arbitration Scheme which offers a quick, non–legalistic, less formal, confidential and more cost effective alternative to a tribunal hearing.

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.

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.

Conciliation Explained

If someone has lodged a claim to the tribunal about their employment rights a copy is sent to the Labour Relations Agency.

We have a legal duty to offer Conciliation in most cases when someone has a complaint about their employment rights even if no claim has been made to the Tribunal service.