HR seminars on new dismissal and disciplinary laws

In April 2005 new laws will be introduced in Northern Ireland to set out statutory procedures which lay down minimum standards for handling dismissals and discipline and grievance matters. These procedures will apply to all employers and employees.

It is hoped that these will encourage employers and employees to attempt to resolve employment disputes within the workplace. Failure to comply with the procedures, where these are applicable, may lead to sanctions.The laws will be implemented through certain provisions of the Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 and the Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (Dispute Resolution) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004.

The 2003 Order also makes a number of amendments to existing statutory provisions contained in the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 concerning an employer’s statutory duty to provide employees with written statements of employment particulars. These amendments include a new provision which allows tribunals, in certain circumstances, to award compensation to employees where employers have failed to comply with their statutory duty to provide the written particulars.

Good Practice Seminars

The Labour Relations Agency will be providing a series of Good Practice Seminars during April focusing on the new Statutory Dismissal and Discipline and Grievance Procedures and the amendments to the statutory requirements concerning the Statement of Written Particulars.

To register your interest in attending one of the seminars visit http://www.lra.org.uk/good_practice_seminars.cfm All seminars will be subject to demand and numbers will be limited.