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Pay Rates at a glance - April 2024 - March 2025

Each April sees the increase to the National Living and Minimum Wage rates, and other statutory rates of pay

The tables below show the current rates applicable for the above, and the revised rates which will apply from April 2024.

If you have any queries regarding these matters, please feel free to contact our Workplace Information Service on 03300 555 300

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.

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.

Early Conciliation Notification Form

The Early Conciliation notification form can be either be downloaded from our website below, or can be collected from either our Belfast office or Regional Office. You can complete the form and post it to either our office in Belfast or our Regional office. The addresses are noted below.

Rests and breaks

Employees are entitled to breaks for meals and to rest. As far as possible employers should provide breaks, facilities and comfortable surroundings for additional needs such as breastfeeding or expressing milk.

A Practical Guide to Working from Home: Covid-19 and beyond

This document provides guidance on how to manage regular or long-term working from home, which has been a requirement for many during the Covid pandemic, and may continue for some workers for the foreseeable future.

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.”

Giving and Accepting Notice

If the employer or employee wishes to end the employment relationship they must give each other notice.

Social Media House Rules

Guidance for friends and followers of LRA social media accounts.

The Labour Relations Agency has a number of social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and You Tube. We do not endorse any private companies or individuals even if we're 'friends' with or 'follow' their social media accounts.

We reserve the right to delete posts or comments from our social media channels without warning if we believe they:

- are defamatory or libellous;

- breach Data Protection Regulations;

- use obscene or foul language;

- are distasteful, offensive or antagonistic;

- are political or electioneering in nature; or

- are advertising or promotional in nature without the prior agreement of the Labour Relations Agency.

Any persistent offenders may be blocked without prior notice.

The Labour Relations Agency's decision is final.