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Advice on Managing Sickness Absence
This guide tries to answer some questions you might ask when an employee is absent from work due to sickness or unauthorised absence.
Fair Employment (School Teachers) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
This legislation was enacted by the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022 and came into effect on 12th May 2024.
From this date, it will be unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of religious or philosophical belief or political opinion in respectof the recruitment or promotion of teachers in schools in Northern Ireland.
Prior to 2003, FETO, and its predecessors, did not prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religious or philosophical belief or political opinion in relation to any aspect of the employment of school teachers. That was due to the effects of article 71 of FETO, commonly known as the teachers’ exception.
This situation changed through a process that began in 2003 when an EU equality law, Council Directive 2000/78/EC, required the exception to be modified and
narrowed. As a result, and since then, FETO has prohibited discrimination on its equality grounds in relation to most aspects of the employment of teachers in
schools; e.g. in relation to pay, training, absence and performance management,
dismissal, harassment.
Despite that change, FETO’s prohibition of discrimination did not apply to the recruitment or promotion of teachers in schools due to the continuing effects of one part of the article 71 exception that remained.
The remaining gap in coverage was filled on 12 May 2024 with the inrtoduction of this legislation.
Dismissal
Employees can be dismissed for reasons such as gross misconduct or a fundamental breach of contract. A fair and robust process should be followed where all parties have certain rights and responsibilities.
Employer-led Early Conciliation
Early Conciliation is available to employers who are dealing with a workplace dispute which could result in a claim being made to the Industrial or Fair Employment Tribunal. The employer's representative can also contact us to request Early Conciliation on the employer's behalf.
No.367 Fair Employment (specification of public authorities) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002
This Order amends the 2000 Order of the same name which specifies a number of bodies or persons as public bodies for the purposes of the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998 (see new Schedule).
No 507 The Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007
This Order amends the 2004 Order of the same name by amending those specified persons or bodies as public authorities for certain purposes under the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998.
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.
Collective Conciliation Explained
Collective Conciliation is facilitated or assisted negotiation where an Agency conciliator helps employers and employees (normally via trade unions) to try to reach mutually acceptable settlements of their collective disputes.
192 (C.9) Employment Rights (Time off for Study and Training) (1998 Order)(Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2000
This Order brings into operation on 1/9/00 the provisions of the Employment Rights (Time off for study or training) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.
No 269 The Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016
This Order amends the Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) Order (Northern Ireland) 2004 which specifies a number of persons or bodies as public authorities for certain purposes under Part VII of the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.