The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996

PART I N.I. INTRODUCTORY AND INTERPRETATION

CHAPTER I N.I. CITATION AND COMMENCEMENT

Citation and commencement N.I.

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

(2) This Order shall come into operation on the expiration of 2 months from the day on which it is made.

CHAPTER II N.I. INTERPRETATION – GENERAL

Interpretation – general N.I.

2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(2) For the purposes of this Order, section 20(2) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 applies with the omission of the words “the liability of whose members is limited” and, where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, applies in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his functions of management as if he were a director of the body corporate.

(3) In this Order—

• “act” and “action” each includes omission and references to doing an act or taking action shall be construed accordingly,

• “the Agency” means the Labour Relations Agency,

• “basic award of compensation for unfair dismissal” shall be construed in accordance with Article 152,

• “business” includes a trade or profession and includes any activity carried on by a body of persons (whether corporate or unincorporated),

• “childbirth” means the birth of a living child or the birth of a child whether living or dead after twenty-four weeks of pregnancy,

• “collective agreement” has the meaning given by Article 2(2) of the 1992 Order,

• [F1 “the Contributions and Benefits Act 1992” means the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992,]

• “the Department” means the Department of Economic Development,

• “dismissal procedures agreement” means an agreement in writing with respect to procedures relating to dismissal made by or on behalf of one or more independent trade unions and one or more employers or employers' associations,

• “employers' association” has the meaning given by Article 4(1) and (2) of the 1992 Order,

• “expected week of childbirth” means the week, beginning with midnight between Saturday and Sunday, in which it is expected that childbirth will occur,

• “guarantee payment” has the meaning given by Article 60,

• “independent trade union” means a trade union which—

  (a)

  is not under the domination or control of an employer or a group of employers or of one or more employers' associations, and

  (b)

  is not liable to interference by an employer or any such group or association (arising out of the provision of financial or material support or by any other means whatever) tending towards such control,

• “job”, in relation to an employee, means the nature of the work which he is employed to do in accordance with his contract and the capacity and place in which he is so employed,

• [F2 “limited-term contract” means a contract of employment whereby—

  (a)

  the employment under the contract is not intended to be permanent, and

  (b)

  provision is accordingly made in the contract for it to terminate by virtue of a limiting event.]

• [F2 “limiting event”, in relation to a contract of employment means—

  (a)

  in the case of a contract for a fixed-term, the expiry of the term,

  (b)

  in the case of a contract made in contemplation of the performance of a specific task, the performance of the task, and

  (c)

  in the case of a contract which provides for its termination on the occurrence of an event (or the failure of an event to occur), the occurrence of the event (or the failure of the event to occur).]

• Definitions rep. by 1999 NI 9

• “officer” and “official”, in relation to a trade union, have the same meaning as in the Trade Union and Labour Relations Order,

• [F3 “parental bereavement leave” means leave under Article 112EA,]

• [F4 “paternity leave” means leave under Article 112A or 112B,]

• “position”, in relation to an employee, means the following matters taken as a whole—

  (a)

  his status as an employee,

  (b)

  the nature of his work, and

  (c)

  his terms and conditions of employment,

• [F5 “protected disclosure” has the meaning given by Article 67A,]

• “recognised”, in relation to a trade union, has the same meaning as in Part V of the 1992 Order,

• “redundancy payment” has the meaning given by Part XII,

• “relevant date” has the meaning given by Articles 180 and 188,

• “renewal” includes extension, and any reference to renewing a contract or a fixed term shall be construed accordingly,

• [F1 "shared parental leave” means leave under Article 107E or 107G,]

• “statutory provision” has the meaning given by section 1(f) of the [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954,

• “successor”, in relation to the employer of an employee, means (subject to paragraph (4)) a person who in consequence of a change occurring (whether by virtue of a sale or other disposition or by operation of law) in the ownership of the undertaking, or of the part of the undertaking, for the purposes of which the employee was employed, has become the owner of the undertaking or part,

• “trade union” has the meaning given by Article 3(1) of the 1992 Order,

• “the Trade Union and Labour Relations Order” means the [1995 NI 12.] Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995,

• “the 1992 Order” means the [1992 NI 5.] Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992,

• “week”

  (a)

  in Chapter III of this Part means a week ending with Saturday, and

  (b)

  otherwise, except in[F6 Articles [F7 107F, 107I,] 112A, 112B [F8 , 112EA] and 118], means, in relation to an employee whose remuneration is calculated weekly by a week ending with a day other than Saturday, a week ending with that other day and, in relation to any other employee, a week ending with Saturday.

(4) The definition of “successor” in paragraph (3) has effect (subject to the necessary modifications) in relation to a case where—

(a) the person by whom an undertaking or part of an undertaking is owned immediately before a change is one of the persons by whom (whether as partners, trustees or otherwise) it is owned immediately after the change, or

(b) the persons by whom an undertaking or part of an undertaking is owned immediately before a change (whether as partners, trustees or otherwise) include the persons by whom, or include one or more of the persons by whom, it is owned immediately after the change,

as it has effect where the previous owner and the new owner are wholly different persons.

(5) References in this Order (except Part XIII) to redundancy, dismissal by reason of redundancy and similar expressions shall be construed in accordance with Article 174.

(6) In Articles 12(3), 171(2) and 189 “lock-out” means—

(a) the closing of a place of employment,

(b) the suspension of work, or

(c) the refusal by an employer to continue to employ any number of persons employed by him in consequence of a dispute,

done with a view to compelling persons employed by the employer, or to aid another employer in compelling persons employed by him, to accept terms or conditions of or affecting employment. n

(7) In Articles 12(1) and (2), 123(2), 175(2) and (3), 178(1), 179(2) and (3) and 189 “strike” means—

(a) the cessation of work by a body of employed persons acting in combination, or

(b) a concerted refusal, or a refusal under a common understanding, of any number of employed persons to continue to work for an employer in consequence of a dispute,

done as a means of compelling their employer or any employed person or body of employed persons, or to aid other employees in compelling their employer or any employed person or body of employed persons, to accept or not to accept terms or conditions of or affecting employment.

F1 Words in art. 2 inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(2)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F2 SR 2002/298

F3 Words in art. 2(3) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 16(a); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

F4 Words in art. 2 substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(2)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F5 1998 NI 17

F6 2002 NI 2

F7 Words in art. 2 inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(2)(c); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F8 Words in art. 2(3) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 16(b); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

Employees, workers N.I.

3.—(1) In this Order “employee” means an individual who has entered into or works under (or, where the employment has ceased, worked under) a contract of employment.

(2) In this Order “contract of employment” means a contract of service or apprenticeship, whether express or implied, and (if it is express) whether oral or in writing.

(3) In this Order “worker” means an individual who has entered into or works under (or, where the employment has ceased, worked under)—

(a) a contract of employment, or

(b) any other contract, whether express or implied and (if it is express) whether oral or in writing, whereby the individual undertakes to do or perform personally any work or services for another party to the contract whose status is not by virtue of the contract that of a client or customer of any profession or business undertaking carried on by the individual;

and any reference to a worker's contract shall be construed accordingly.

(4) In this Order “employer”, in relation to an employee or a worker, means the person by whom the employee or worker is (or, where the employment has ceased, was) employed.

(5) In this Order “employment”

(a) in relation to an employee, means (except for the purposes of Article 206) employment under a contract of employment, and

(b) in relation to a worker, means employment under his contract;

and “employed” shall be construed accordingly.

[F9 (6) This Article has effect subject to Articles 67K and 70B(3); and for the purposes of Part XV so far as relating to Part VA or Article 70B, “worker”, “worker's contract” and, in relation to a worker, “employer”, “employment” and “employed” have the extended meaning given by Article 67K.]

[F10 (7) This Article has effect subject to Article 107M(3) and (5).]

F9 1998 NI 17

F10 Art. 3(7) added (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(3); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

Associated employers N.I.

4.  For the purposes of this Order any two employers shall be treated as associated if—

(a) one is a company of which the other (directly or indirectly) has control, or

(b) both are companies of which a third person (directly or indirectly) has control;

and “associated employer” shall be construed accordingly.

Normal working hours N.I.

5.—(1) Where an employee is entitled to overtime pay when employed for more than a fixed number of hours in a week or other period, there are for the purposes of this Order normal working hours in his case.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the normal working hours in such a case are the fixed number of hours.

(3) Where in such a case—

(a) the contract of employment fixes the number, or minimum number, of hours of employment in a week or other period (whether or not it also provides for the reduction of that number or minimum in certain circumstances), and

(b) that number or minimum number of hours exceeds the number of hours without overtime,

the normal working hours are that number or minimum number of hours (and not the number of hours without overtime).

CHAPTER III N.I. CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT

Introductory N.I.

6.—(1) References in any provision of this Order to a period of continuous employment are (unless provision is expressly made to the contrary) to a period computed in accordance with this Chapter.

(2) In computing an employee's period of continuous employment for the purposes of any provision of this Order, any question—

(a) whether the employee's employment is of a kind counting towards a period of continuous employment, or

(b) whether periods (consecutive or otherwise) are to be treated as forming a single period of continuous employment,

shall be determined week by week; but where it is necessary to compute the length of an employee's period of employment it shall be computed in months and years of twelve months in accordance with Article 7.

(3) Subject to Articles 11 to 13, a week which does not count in computing the length of a period of continuous employment breaks continuity of employment.

(4) A person's employment during any period shall, unless the contrary is shown, be presumed to have been continuous.

Period of continuous employment N.I.

7.—(1) An employee's period of continuous employment for the purposes of any provision of this Order—

(a) (subject to [F11 paragraph] (3)) begins with the day on which the employee starts work, and

(b) ends with the day by reference to which the length of the employee's period of continuous employment is to be ascertained for the purposes of the provision.

(2) F12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) If an employee's period of continuous employment includes one or more periods which (by virtue of Article 11, 12 or 13) while not counting in computing the length of the period do not break continuity of employment, the beginning of the period shall be treated as postponed by the number of days falling within that intervening period, or the aggregate number of days falling within those periods, calculated in accordance with the Article in question.

F11 Words in art. 7(1)(a) substituted (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53(1), Sch. 7 para. 3(2)(a) (with reg. 50)

F12 Art. 7(2) repealed (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53, Sch. 7 para. 3(2)(b), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50)

Weeks counting in computing period N.I.

8.—(1) Any week during the whole or part of which an employee's relations with his employer are governed by a contract of employment counts in computing the employee's period of employment.

Para. (2) rep. by 1999 NI 9

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), any week (not within paragraph (1)) during the whole or part of which an employee is—

(a) incapable of work in consequence of sickness or injury,

(b) absent from work on account of a temporary cessation of work,[F13 or]

(c) absent from work in circumstances such that, by arrangement or custom, he is regarded as continuing in the employment of his employer for any purpose,F13 . . .

Sub‐para. (d) rep. by 1999 NI 9

counts in computing the employee's period of employment.

(4) Not more than twenty-six weeks count under paragraph (3)(a)F13 . . . between any periods falling under paragraph (1).

F13 1999 NI 9

Intervals in employment N.I.

9.—(1) Where in the case of an employee a date later than the date which would be the effective date of termination by virtue of paragraph (1) of Article 129 is treated for certain purposes as the effective date of termination by virtue of paragraph (2) or (4) of that Article the period of the interval between the two dates counts as a period of employment in ascertaining for the purposes of Article 140(1) or 153(1) the period for which the employee has been continuously employed.

(2) Where an employee is by virtue of Article 173(1) regarded for the purposes of Part XII as not having been dismissed by reason of a renewal or re-engagement taking effect after an interval, the period of the interval counts as a period of employment in ascertaining for the purposes of Article 190 or 197(1) the period for which the employee has been continuously employed (except so far as it is to be disregarded under Article 10 or 11).

(3) Where in the case of an employee a date later than the date which would be the relevant date by virtue of paragraphs (2) to (4) of Article 180 is treated for certain purposes as the relevant date by virtue of paragraph (5) of that Article, the period of the interval between the two dates counts as a period of employment in ascertaining for the purposes of Article 190 or 197(1) the period for which the employee has been continuously employed (except so far as it is to be disregarded under Article 10 or 11).

Special provisions for redundancy payments N.I.

10.—(1) This Article applies where a period of continuous employment has to be determined in relation to an employee for the purposes of the application of Article 190 or 197(1).

(2) The continuity of a period of employment is broken where—

(a) a redundancy payment has previously been paid to the employee (whether in respect of dismissal or in respect of lay-off or short-time), and

(b) the contract of employment under which the employee was employed was renewed (whether by the same or another employer) or the employee was re-engaged under a new contract of employment (whether by the same or another employer).

(3) The continuity of a period of employment is also broken where—

(a) a payment has been made to the employee (whether in respect of the termination of his employment or lay-off or short-time) in accordance with a scheme under Article 3 of the [1972 NI 10.] Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 or arrangements falling within Article 212(3) or (4), and

(b) he commenced new, or renewed, employment.

(4) The date on which the person's continuity of employment is broken by virtue of this Article—

(a) if the employment was under a contract of employment, is the date which was the relevant date in relation to the payment mentioned in paragraph (2)(a) or (3)(a), and

(b) if the employment was otherwise than under a contract of employment, is the date which would have been the relevant date in relation to the payment mentioned in paragraph (2)(a) or (3)(a) had the employment been under a contract of employment.

(5) For the purposes of this Article a redundancy payment shall be treated as having been paid if—

(a) the whole of the payment has been paid to the employee by the employer,

(b) a tribunal has determined liability and found that the employer must pay part (but not all) of the redundancy payment and the employer has paid that part, or

(c) the Department has paid a sum to the employee in respect of the redundancy payment under Article 202.

Employment abroad etc. N.I.

11.—(1) This Chapter applies to a period of employment—

(a) (subject to the following provisions of this Article) even where during the period the employee was engaged in work wholly or mainly outside Northern Ireland, and

(b) even where the employee was excluded by or under this Order from any right conferred by this Order.

(2) For the purposes of Articles 190 and 197(1) a week of employment does not count in computing a period of employment if the employee—

(a) was employed outside Northern Ireland during the whole or part of the week, and

(b) was not during that week an employed earner for the purposes of the [1992 c. 7.] Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 in respect of whom a secondary Class 1 contribution was payable under that Act (whether or not the contribution was in fact paid).

(3) Where by virtue of paragraph (2) a week of employment does not count in computing a period of employment, the continuity of the period is not broken by reason only that the week does not count in computing the period; and the number of days which, for the purposes of Article 7(3), fall within the intervening period is seven for each week within this paragraph.

(4) Any question arising under paragraph (2) whether—

(a) a person was an employed earner for the purposes of the [1992 c. 7.] Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, or

(b) if so, whether a secondary Class 1 contribution was payable in respect of him under that Act,

shall be determined by[F14 an officer of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue].

[F14 (5) Part III of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (decisions and appeals) shall apply in relation to the determination of any issue by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue under paragraph (4) as if it were a decision falling within Article 7(1) of that Order.]

(6) Paragraph (2) does not apply in relation to a person who is—

(a) employed as a master or seaman in a British ship, and

(b) ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland.

F14 SI 1999/671

Industrial disputes N.I.

12.—(1) A week does not count under Article 8 if during the week, or any part of the week, the employee takes part in a strike.

(2) The continuity of an employee's period of employment is not broken by a week which does not count under this Chapter (whether or not by virtue only of paragraph (1)) if during the week, or any part of the week, the employee takes part in a strike; and the number of days which, for the purposes of Article 7(3), fall within the intervening period is the number of days between the last working day before the strike and the day on which work was resumed.

(3) The continuity of an employee's period of employment is not broken by a week if during the week, or any part of the week, the employee is absent from work because of a lock-out by the employer; and the number of days which, for the purposes of Article 7(3), fall within the intervening period is the number of days between the last working day before the lock-out and the day on which work was resumed.

Reinstatement after military service N.I.

13.—(1) If a person who is entitled to apply to his former employer under the [1985 c. 17.] Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985 enters the employment of the employer not later than the end of the six month period mentioned in section 1(4)(b) of that Act, his period of service in the armed forces of the Crown in the circumstances specified in section 1(1) of that Act does not break his continuity of employment,

(2) In the case of such a person the number of days which, for the purposes of Article 7(3), fall within the intervening period is the number of days between the last day of his previous period of employment with the employer (or, if there was more than one such period, the last of them) and the first day of the period of employment beginning in the six month period.

Change of employer N.I.

14.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Article, this Chapter relates only to employment by the one employer.

(2) If a trade or business, or an undertaking (whether or not established by or under a statutory provision), is transferred from one person to another—

(a) the period of employment of an employee in the trade or business or undertaking at the time of the transfer counts as a period of employment with the transferee, and

(b) the transfer does not break the continuity of the period of employment.

(3) If by or under any statutory provision a contract of employment between any body corporate and an employee is modified and some other body corporate is substituted as the employer—

(a) the employee's period of employment at the time when the modification takes effect counts as a period of employment with the second body corporate, and

(b) the change of employer does not break the continuity of the period of employment.

(4) If on the death of an employer the employee is taken into the employment of the personal representatives or trustees of the deceased—

(a) the employee's period of employment at the time of the death counts as a period of employment with the employer's personal representatives or trustees, and

(b) the death does not break the continuity of the period of employment.

(5) If there is a change in the partners, personal representatives or trustees who employ any person—

(a) the employee's period of employment at the time of the change counts as a period of employment with the partners, personal representatives or trustees after the change, and

(b) the change does not break the continuity of the period of employment.

(6) If an employee of an employer is taken into the employment of another employer who, at the time when the employee enters the second employer's employment, is an associated employer of the first employer—

(a) the employee's period of employment at that time counts as a period of employment with the second employer, and

(b) the change of employer does not break the continuity of the period of employment.

(7) If a person employed in relevant employment by a health service employer is taken into relevant employment by another such employer, his period of employment at the time of the change of employer counts as a period of employment with the second employer and the change does not break the continuity of the period of employment.

(8) For the purposes of paragraph (7) employment is relevant employment if it is employment of a description—

(a) in which persons are engaged while undergoing professional training which involves their being employed successively by a number of different health service employers, and

(b) which is specified in an order made by the Department.

(9) The following are health service employers for the purposes of paragraphs (7) and (8)—

(a) Health and Social Services Boards;

(b) Special Health and Social Services Agencies;

(c) [F15 Health and Social Care Trusts].

[F16 (d) the Regional Health and Social Care Board;

(e) the Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being;

(f) the Regional Business Services Organisation.]

F15 Words in Order substituted (1.4.2009) by virtue of Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 (c. 1), ss. 32, 34(3), Sch. 6 para. 1(1)(c) (with Sch. 6 para. 1(3)); S.R. 2009/114, art. 2

F16 Art. 14(9)(d)-(f) inserted (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 169(2); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)

Reinstatement or re-engagement of dismissed employee N.I.

15.—(1) Regulations made by the Department may make provision—

(a) for preserving the continuity of a person's period of employment for the purposes of this Chapter or for the purposes of this Chapter as applied by or under any other statutory provision specified in the regulations, or

(b) for modifying or excluding the operation of Article 10 subject to the recovery of any such payment as is mentioned in that Article,

in cases whereF17 . . . a dismissed employee is reinstated[F17 , re‐engaged or otherwise re‐employed] by his employer or by a successor or associated employer of that employer[F17 in any circumstances prescribed by the regulations.]

Paras. (2)‐(4) rep. by 1998 NI 8

F17 1998 NI 8

CHAPTER IV N.I. A WEEK'S PAY

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. I Ch. IV (arts. 16-25) applied (6.4.2006) by Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/48), reg. 17, Sch. para. 3(2)

C2 Pt. I Ch. IV (arts. 16-25) applied (18.8.2006) by European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2059), regs. 2, 29(2), Sch. 3 para. 22

C3 Pt. I Ch. IV (arts. 16-25) applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 paras. 11(4), 12(4) (with reg. 50)

C4 Pt. I Ch. IV (arts. 16-25) applied (with modifications) (12.3.2007 with effect from 1.10.2006) by Local Government (Early Termination of Employment) (Discretionary Compensation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/93), reg. 5(4) (with reg. 9(5))

C5 Pt. I Ch. IV (arts. 16-25) applied (15.12.2007) by Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2974), regs. 22(3), 44(2), Sch. 2 para. 20

C6 Pt. I Ch. IV (arts. 16-25) applied (1.10.2009) by European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2402), reg. 27(2) (with reg. 39)

Introductory N.I.

Introductory N.I.

16.  The amount of a week's pay of an employee shall be calculated for the purposes of this Order in accordance with this Chapter.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 16(4), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1)(5), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C8 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 16(4)

Employments with normal working hours N.I.

General N.I.

F18 17.—(1) This Article and Articles 18 and 19 apply where there are normal working hours for the employee when employed under the contract of employment in force on the calculation date.

(2) Subject to Article 18, if the employee's remuneration for employment in normal working hours (whether by the hour or week or other period) does not vary with the amount of work done in the period, the amount of a week's pay is the amount which is payable by the employer under the contract of employment in force on the calculation date if the employee works throughout his normal working hours in a week.

(3) Subject to Article 18, if the employee's remuneration for employment in normal working hours (whether by the hour or week or other period) does vary with the amount of work done in the I period, the amount of a week's pay is the amount of remuneration for the number of normal working hours in a week calculated at the average hourly rate of remuneration payable by the employer to the employee in respect of the period of twelve weeks ending—

(a) where the calculation date is the last day of a week, with that week, and

(b) otherwise, with the last complete week before the calculation date.

(4) In this Article references to remuneration varying with the amount of work done includes remuneration which may include any commission or similar payment which varies in amount.

(5) This Article is subject to Articles 23 and 24.

F18 mod. by SI 2004/1713

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 16(4), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1)(5), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C10 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 16(4)

C11 Arts. 17-20 applied (with modifications) (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 20(2) (with reg. 22(1))

C12 Arts. 17-20 applied (with modifications) (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 33(1)(c) (with reg. 22(1))

Remuneration varying according to time of work N.I.

F19 18.—(1) This Article applies if the employee is required under the contract of employment in force on the calculation date to work during normal working hours on days of the week, or at times of the day, which differ from week to week or over a longer period so that the remuneration payable for, or apportionable to, any week varies according to the incidence of those days or times.

(2) The amount of a week's pay is the amount of remuneration for the average number of weekly normal working hours at the average hourly rate of remuneration.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)—

(a) the average number of weekly hours is calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of the employee's normal working hours during the relevant period of twelve weeks, and

(b) the average hourly rate of remuneration is the average hourly rate of remuneration payable by the employer to the employee in respect of the relevant period of twelve weeks.

(4) In paragraph (3) “the relevant period of twelve weeks” means the period of twelve weeks ending—

(a) where the calculation date is the last day of a week, with that week, and

(b) otherwise, with the last complete week before the calculation date.

(5) This Article is subject to Articles 23 and 24.

F19 mod. by SI 2004/1713

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11 Arts. 17-20 applied (with modifications) (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 20(2) (with reg. 22(1))

C12 Arts. 17-20 applied (with modifications) (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 33(1)(c) (with reg. 22(1))

C13 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 16(4), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1)(5), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C14 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 16(4)

Supplementary N.I.

F20 19.—(1) For the purposes of Articles 17 and 18, in arriving at the average hourly rate of remuneration, only—

(a) the hours when the employee was working, and

(b) the remuneration payable for, or apportionable to, those hours,

shall be brought in.

(2) If for any of the twelve weeks mentioned in Articles 17 and 18 no remuneration within paragraph (1)(b) was payable by the employer to the employee, account shall be taken of remuneration in earlier weeks so as to bring up to twelve the number of weeks of which account is taken.

(3) Where—

(a) in arriving at the average hourly rate of remuneration, account has to be taken of remuneration payable for, or apportionable to, work done in hours other than normal working hours, and

(b) the amount of that remuneration was greater than it would have been if the work had been done in normal working hours (or, in a case within Article 1(3), in normal working hours falling within the number of hours without overtime),

account shall be taken of that remuneration as if the work had been done in such hours and the amount of that remuneration had been reduced accordingly.

F20 mod. by SI 2004/1713

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11 Arts. 17-20 applied (with modifications) (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 20(2) (with reg. 22(1))

C12 Arts. 17-20 applied (with modifications) (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 33(1)(c) (with reg. 22(1))

C15 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 16(4), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1)(5), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C16 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 16(4)

Employments with no normal working hours N.I.

Employments with no normal working hours N.I.

F21 20.—(1) This Article applies where there are no normal working hours for the employee when employed under the contract of employment in force on the calculation date.

(2) The amount of a week's pay is the amount of the employee's average weekly remuneration in the period of twelve weeks ending—

(a) where the calculation date is the last day of a week, with that week, and

(b) otherwise, with the last complete week before the calculation date.

(3) In arriving at the average weekly remuneration no account shall be taken of a week in which no remuneration was payable by the employer to the employee and remuneration in earlier weeks shall be brought in so as to bring up to twelve the number of weeks of which account is taken.

(4) This Article is subject to Articles 23 and 24.

F21 mod. by SI 2004/1713

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11 Arts. 17-20 applied (with modifications) (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 20(2) (with reg. 22(1))

C12 Arts. 17-20 applied (with modifications) (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 33(1)(c) (with reg. 22(1))

C17 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 16(4), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1)(5), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C18 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 16(4)

The calculation date N.I.

Rights during employment N.I.

21.—(1) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 62, the calculation date is—

(a) where the employee's contract has been varied, or a new contract entered into, in connection with a period of short-time working, the last day on which the original contract was in force, and

(b) otherwise, the day in respect of which the guarantee payment is payable.

(2) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 81 or 82, the calculation date is the day on which the employer's notice was given.

(3) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 84, the calculation date is the day of the appointment.

[F22 (3A) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 85ZF, the calculation date is the day of the appointment.]

[F23 (3B) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 85ZK or 85ZM, the calculation date is the day of the appointment.]

(4) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 90, the calculation date is the day on which the time off was taken or on which it is alleged the time off should have been permitted.

[F24 (4A) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 91B, the calculation date is the day on which the time off was taken or on which it is alleged the time off should have been permitted.]

(5) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 101—

(a) in the case of an employee suspended on medical grounds, the calculation date is the day before that on which the suspension begins, and

(b) in the case of an employee suspended on maternity grounds, the calculation date is—

[F25 (i)] [F25 where the day before that on which the suspension begins falls during a period of ordinary or additional maternity leave, the day before the beginning of that period,] and

(ii) otherwise, the day before that on which the suspension begins.

[F26 (6) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 112I, the calculation date is the day on which the application under Article 112F was made.]

F22 Art. 21(3A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 15(3), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(l)

F23 Art. 21(3B) inserted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 17(3), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(e)

F24 1998 NI 15

F25 1999 NI 9

F26 2002 NI 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 16(4), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1)(5), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C20 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 16(4)

Rights on termination N.I.

22.—(1) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 120 or 121, the calculation date is the day immediately preceding the first day of the period of notice required by Article 118(1) or (2).

(2) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 125, 151 or 159, the calculation date is—

(a) if the dismissal was with notice, the date on which the employer's notice was given, and

(b) otherwise, the effective date of termination.

(3) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article[F27 146, 153, 154 or 155] the calculation date is—

Sub‐para. (a) rep. by 1999 NI 9

(b) if by virtue of paragraph (2) or (4) of Article 129 a date later than the effective date of termination as defined in paragraph (1) of that Article is to be treated for certain purposes as the effective date of termination, the effective date of termination as so defined, and

(c) otherwise, the date specified in paragraph (6).

(4) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 182(2), the calculation date is the day immediately preceding the first of the four, or six, weeks referred to in Article 183(2).

(5) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 197, the calculation date is—

Sub‐para. (a) rep. by 1999 NI 9

(b) if by virtue of paragraph (5) of Article 180 a date is to be treated for certain purposes as the relevant date which is later than the relevant date as defined by the previous provisions of that Article, the relevant date as so defined, and

(c) otherwise, the date specified in paragraph (6).

(6) The date referred to in paragraphs (3)(c) and (5)(c) is the date on which notice would have been given had—

(a) the contract been terminable by notice and been terminated by the employer giving such notice as is required by Article 118 to terminate the contract, and

(b) the notice expired on the effective date of termination, or the relevant date,

(whether or not those conditions were in fact fulfilled).

(7) Where the calculation is for the purposes of Article 218, the calculation date is the date on which the protective award was made or, in the case of an employee who was dismissed before the date on which the protective award was made, the date which by virtue of paragraph (5) is the calculation date for the purpose of computing the amount of a redundancy payment in relation to that dismissal (whether or not the employee concerned is entitled to any such payment).

F27 2003 NI 15

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C21 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 16(4), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1)(5), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C22 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 16(4)

Maximum amount of week's pay N.I.

Maximum amount N.I.

23.—(1) For the purpose of calculating—

[F28 (za) an award of compensation under Article 112I(1)(b),]

(a) a basic award of compensation for unfair dismissal,

(b) an additional award of compensation for unfair dismissal,

[F29 (ba) an award under Article 146(5); or]

(c) a redundancy payment,

the amount of a week's pay shall not exceed [F30 £669].

Paras. (2)‐(4) rep. by 1999 NI 9

F28 2002 NI 2

F29 2003 NI 15

F30 Sum in art. 23(1) substituted (6.4.2023) by The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/36), art. 1(1), Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C23 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 16(4), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1)(5), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C24 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 16(4)

C25 Art. 23(1): power to amend conferred (1.10.2006) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 16(1)(a); S.R. 2006/344, art. 3(d)

C26 Art. 23(1) applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 paras. 11(5), 12(5) (with reg. 50)

Miscellaneous N.I.

New employments and other special cases N.I.

24.—(1) In any case in which the employee has not been employed for a sufficient period to enable a calculation to be made under the preceding provisions of this Chapter, the amount of a week's pay is the amount which fairly represents a week's pay.

(2) In determining that amount the industrial tribunal—

(a) shall apply as nearly as may be such of the preceding provisions of this Chapter as it considers appropriate, and

(b) may have regard to such of the considerations specified in paragraph (3) as it thinks fit.

(3) The considerations referred to in paragraph (2)(b) are—

(a) any remuneration received by the employee in respect of the employment in question,

(b) the amount offered to the employee as remuneration in respect of the employment in question,

(c) the remuneration received by other persons engaged in relevant comparable employment with the same employer, and

(d) the remuneration received by other persons engaged in relevant comparable employment with other employers.

(4) The Department may by regulations provide that in cases prescribed by the regulations the amount of a week's pay shall be calculated in such manner as may be so prescribed.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C27 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 16(4), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1)(5), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C28 Arts. 16-24 applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 16(4)

Supplementary N.I.

25.—(1) In arriving at—

(a) an average hourly rate of remuneration, or

(b) average weekly remuneration,

under this Chapter, account shall be taken of work for a former employer within the period for which the average is to be taken if, by virtue of Chapter III of this Part, a period of employment with the former employer counts as part of the employee's continuous period of employment.

(2) Where under this Chapter account is to be taken of remuneration or other payments for a period which does not coincide with the periods for which the remuneration or other payments are calculated, the remuneration or other payments shall be apportioned in such manner as may be just.

PART II N.I. ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT

Refusal of employment on grounds related to union membership N.I.

26.—(1) It is unlawful to refuse a person employment—

(a) because he is, or is not, a member of a trade union, or

(b) because he is unwilling to accept a requirement—

(i) to take steps to become or cease to be, or to remain or not to become, a member of a trade union, or

(ii) to make payments or suffer deductions in the event of his not being a member of a trade union.

(2) Where an advertisement is published which indicates, or might reasonably be understood as indicating—

(a) that employment to which the advertisement relates is open only to a person who is, or is not, a member of a trade union, or

(b) that any such requirement as is mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) will be imposed in relation to employment to which the advertisement relates,

a person who does not satisfy that condition or, as the case may be, is unwilling to accept that requirement, and who seeks and is refused employment to which the advertisement relates, shall be conclusively presumed to have been refused employment for that reason.

(3) Where there is an arrangement or practice under which employment is offered only to persons put forward or approved by a trade union, and the trade union puts forward or approves only persons who are members of the union, a person who is not a member of the union and who is refused employment in pursuance of the arrangement or practice shall be taken to have been refused employment because he is not a member of the trade union.

(4) A person shall be taken to be refused employment if he seeks employment of any description with a person and that person—

(a) refuses or deliberately omits to entertain and process his application or enquiry, or

(b) causes him to withdraw or cease to pursue his application or enquiry, or

(c) refuses or deliberately omits to offer him employment of that description, or

(d) makes him an offer of such employment the terms of which are such as no reasonable employer who wished to fill the post would offer and which is not accepted, or

(e) makes him an offer of such employment but withdraws it or causes him not to accept it.

(5) Where a person is offered employment on terms which include a requirement that he is, or is not, a member of a trade union, or any such requirement as is mentioned in paragraph (1)(b), and he does not accept the offer because he does not satisfy or, as the case may be, is unwilling to accept that requirement, he shall be treated as having been refused employment for that reason.

(6) Where a person may not be considered for appointment or election to an office in a trade union unless he is a member of the union, or of a particular branch or section of the union or of one of a number of particular branches or sections of the union, nothing in this Article applies to anything done for the purpose of securing compliance with that condition although as holder of the office he would be employed by the union.

For this purpose an ““office” means any position—

(a)

by virtue of which the holder is an official of the union, or

(b)

to which Part III of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Order applies (duty to hold elections).

(7) The provisions of this Article apply in relation to an employment agency acting, or purporting to act, on behalf of an employer as in relation to an employer.

Refusal of service of employment agency on grounds related to union membership N.I.

27.—(1) It is unlawful for an employment agency to refuse a person any of its services—

(a) because he is, or is not, a member of a trade union, or

(b) because he is unwilling to accept a requirement to take steps to become or cease to be, or to remain or not to become, a member of a trade union.

(2) Where an advertisement is published which indicates, or might reasonably be understood as indicating—

(a) that any service of an employment agency is available only to a person who is, or is not, a member of a trade union, or

(b) that any such requirement as is mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) will be imposed in relation to a service to which the advertisement relates,

a person who does not satisfy that condition or, as the case may be, is unwilling to accept that requirement, and who seeks to avail himself of and is refused that service, shall be conclusively presumed to have been refused it for that reason.

(3) A person shall be taken to be refused a service if he seeks to avail himself of it and the agency—

(a) refuses or deliberately omits to make the service available to him, or

(b) causes him not to avail himself of the service or to cease to avail himself of it, or

(c) does not provide the same service, on the same terms, as is provided to others.

(4) Where a person is offered a service on terms which include a requirement that he is, or is not, a member of a trade union, or any such requirement as is mentioned in paragraph (1)(b), and he does not accept the offer because he does not satisfy or, as the case may be, is unwilling to accept that requirement, he shall be treated as having been refused the service for that reason.

Complaints to industrial tribunal N.I.

28.—(1) A person may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal—

(a) that he has been unlawfully refused employment in contravention of Article 26(1); or

(b) that he has been unlawfully refused any service of an employment agency in contravention of Article 27(1).

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented to the tribunal—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date of the conduct to which the complaint relates, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

(3) The date of the conduct to which a complaint under paragraph (1)(a) relates shall be taken to be—

(a) in the case of an actual refusal, the date of the refusal;

(b) in the case of a deliberate omission—

(i) to entertain and process the complainant's application or enquiry, or

(ii) to offer employment, the end of the period within which it was reasonable to expect the employer to act;

(c) in the case of conduct causing the complainant to withdraw or cease to pursue his application or enquiry, the date of that conduct;

(d) in a case where an offer was made but withdrawn, the date when it was withdrawn;

(e) in any other case where an offer was made but not accepted, the date on which it was made.

(4) The date of the conduct to which a complaint under paragraph (1)(b) relates shall be taken to be—

(a) in the case of an actual refusal, the date of the refusal;

(b) in the case of a deliberate omission to make a service available, the end of the period within which it was reasonable to expect the employment agency to act;

(c) in the case of conduct causing the complainant not to avail himself of a service or to cease to avail himself of it, the date of that conduct;

(d) in the case of failure to provide the same service, on the same terms, as is provided to others, the date or last date on which the service in fact provided was provided.

[F31 (5) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

F31 Art. 28(5) added (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 12; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Determination of complaints N.I.

29.—(1) Where the industrial tribunal finds that a complaint under Article 28 is well-founded, it shall make a declaration to that effect and may make such of the following as it considers just and equitable—

(a) an order requiring the respondent to pay compensation to the complainant of such amount as the tribunal may determine;

(b) a recommendation that the respondent take within a specified period action appearing to the tribunal to be practicable for the purpose of obviating or reducing the adverse effect on the complainant of any conduct to which the complaint relates.

(2) Compensation shall be assessed on the same basis as damages for breach of statutory duty and may include compensation for injury to feelings.

(3) If the respondent fails without reasonable justification to comply with a recommendation to take action, the tribunal may increase its award of compensation or, if it has not made such an award, make one.

(4) The total amount of compensation shall not exceed the limit for the time being imposed by Article 158(1).

Complaint against employer and employment agency N.I.

30.—(1) Where a person has a right of complaint against a prospective employer and against an employment agency arising out of the same facts, he may present a complaint against either of them or against them jointly.

(2) If a complaint is brought against one only, he or the complainant may request the tribunal to join the other as a party to the proceedings.

(3) The request shall be granted if it is made before the hearing of the complaint begins, but may be refused if it is made after that time; and no such request may be made after the tribunal has made its decision as to whether the complaint is well-founded.

(4) Where a complaint is brought against an employer and an employment agency jointly, or where it is brought against one and the other is joined as a party to the proceedings, and the tribunal—

(a) finds that the complaint is well-founded as against the employer and the agency, and

(b) makes an award of compensation,

it may order that the compensation shall be paid by the one or the other, or partly by one and partly by the other, as the tribunal may consider just and equitable in the circumstances.

Awards against third parties N.I.

31.—(1) If in proceedings on a complaint under Article 28 either the complainant or the respondent claims that the respondent was induced to act in the manner complained of by pressure which a trade union or other person exercised on him by calling, organising, procuring or financing a strike or other industrial action, or by threatening to do so, the complainant or the respondent may request the industrial tribunal to direct that the person who he claims exercised the pressure be joined as a party to the proceedings.

(2) The request shall be granted if it is made before the hearing of the complaint begins, but may be refused if it is made after that time; and no such request may be made after the tribunal has made its decision as to whether the complaint is well-founded.

(3) Where a person has been so joined as a party to the proceedings and the tribunal—

(a) finds that the complaint is well-founded,

(b) makes an award of compensation, and

(c) also finds that the claim in paragraph (1) is well-founded,

it may order that the compensation shall be paid by the person joined instead of by the respondent, or partly by that person and partly by the respondent, as the tribunal may consider just and equitable in the circumstances.

(4) Where by virtue of Article 30 there is more than one respondent, the above provisions apply to either or both of them.

Interpretation and other supplementary provisions N.I.

32.—(1) In this Part—

• ““advertisement” includes every form of advertisement or notice, whether to the public or not, and references to publishing an advertisement shall be construed accordingly:

• ““employment agency” means a person who, for profit or not, provides services for the purpose of finding employment for workers or supplying employers with workers, but subject to paragraph (2).

(2) For the purposes of this Part as it applies to employment agencies—

(a) services other than those mentioned in the definition of ““employment agency” above shall be disregarded, and

(b) a trade union shall not be regarded as an employment agency by reason of services provided by it only for, or in relation to, its members.

(3) References in this Part to being or not being a member of a trade union are to being or not being a member of any trade union, of a particular trade union or of one of a number of particular trade unions.

Any such reference includes a reference to being or not being a member of a particular branch or section of a trade union or of one of a number of particular branches or sections of a trade union.

PART III N.I. EMPLOYMENT PARTICULARS

Right to statements of employment particulars N.I.

Statement of initial employment particulars N.I.

33.—(1) Where an employee begins employment with an employer, the employer shall give to the employee a written statement of particulars of employment.

(2) The statement may (subject to Article 34(4)) be given in instalments and (whether or not given in instalments) shall be given not later than two months after the beginning of the employment.

(3) The statement shall contain particulars of—

(a) the names of the employer and employee,

(b) the date when the employment began, and

(c) the date on which the employee's period of continuous employment began (taking into account any employment with a previous employer which counts towards that period).

(4) The statement shall also contain particulars, as at a specified date not more than seven days before the statement (or the instalment containing them) is given, of—

(a) the scale or rate of remuneration or the method of calculating remuneration,

(b) the intervals at which remuneration is paid (that is, weekly, monthly or other specified intervals),

(c) any terms and conditions relating to hours of work (including any terms and conditions relating to normal working hours),

(d) any terms and conditions relating to any of the following—

(i) entitlement to holidays, including public holidays, and holiday pay (the particulars given being sufficient to enable the employee's entitlement, including any entitlement to accrued holiday pay on the termination of employment, to be precisely calculated),

(ii) incapacity for work due to sickness or injury, including any provision for sick pay, and

(iii) pensions and pension schemes,

(e) the length of notice which the employee is obliged to give and entitled to receive to terminate his contract of employment,

(f) the title of the job which the employee is employed to do or a brief description of the work for which he is employed,

(g) where the employment is not intended to be permanent, the period for which it is expected to continue or, if it is for a fixed term, the date when it is to end,

(h) either the place of work or, where the employee is required or permitted to work at various places, an indication of that and of the address of the employer,

(j) any collective agreements which directly affect the terms and conditions of the employment including, where the employer is not a party, the persons by whom they were made, and

(k) where the employee is required to work outside the United Kingdom for a period of more than one month—

(i) the period for which he is to work outside the United Kingdom,

(ii) the currency in which remuneration is to be paid while he is working outside the United Kingdom,

(iii) any additional remuneration payable to him, and any benefits to be provided to or in respect of him, by reason of his being required to work outside the United Kingdom, and

(iv) any terms and conditions relating to his return to the United Kingdom.

(5) Paragraph (4)(d)(iii) does not apply to an employee of a body or authority if—

(a) the employee's pension rights depend on the terms of a pension scheme established under any statutory provision, and

(b) any such provision requires the body or authority to give to a new employee information concerning the employee's pension rights or the determination of questions affecting those rights.

Statement of initial particulars: supplementary N.I.

34.—(1) If, in the case of a statement under Article 33, there are no particulars to be entered under any of the heads of sub-paragraph (d) or (k) of paragraph (4) of that Article, or under any of the other sub-paragraphs of paragraph (3) or (4) of that Article, that fact shall be stated.

(2) A statement under Article 33 may refer the employee for particulars of any of the matters specified in paragraph (4)(d)(ii) and (iii) of that Article to the provisions of some other document which is reasonably accessible to the employee.

(3) A statement under Article 33 may refer the employee for particulars of either of the matters specified in paragraph (4)(e) of that Article to the law or to the provisions of any collective agreement directly affecting the terms and conditions of the employment which is reasonably accessible to the employee.

(4) The particulars required by Article 33(3) and (4)(a) to (c), (d)(i), (f) and (h) shall be included in a single document.

(5) Where before the end of the period of two months after the beginning of an employee's employment the employee is to begin to work outside the United Kingdom for a period of more than one month, the statement under Article 33 shall be given to him not later than the time when he leaves the United Kingdom in order to begin so to work.

(6) A statement shall be given to a person under Article 33 even if his employment ends before the end of the period within which the statement is required to be given.

Note about disciplinary procedures and pensions N.I.

35.—(1) A statement under Article 33 shall include a note—

(a) specifying any disciplinary rules applicable to the employee or referring the employee to the provisions of a document specifying such rules which is reasonably accessible to the employee,

[F32 (aa) specifying any procedure applicable to the taking of disciplinary decisions relating to the employee, or to a decision to dismiss the employee, or referring the employee to the provisions of a document specifying such a procedure which is reasonably accessible to the employee,]

(b) specifying (by description or otherwise)—

(i) a person to whom the employee can apply if dissatisfied with any disciplinary decision relating to him[F32 or any decision to dismiss him], and

(ii) a person to whom the employee can apply for the purpose of seeking redress of any grievance relating to his employment,

and the manner in which any such application should be made, and

(c) where there are further steps consequent on any such application, explaining those steps or referring to the provisions of a document explaining them which is reasonably accessible to the employee.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to rules, disciplinary decisions,[F32 decisions to dismiss] grievances or procedures relating to health or safety at work.

Paras.(3)‐(4) rep. by 2003 NI 15

F33 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F32 2003 NI 15

F33 Art. 35(5) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 66

Statement of changes N.I.

36.—(1) If, after the material date, there is a change in any of the matters particulars of which are required by Articles 33 to 35 to be included or referred to in a statement under Article 33, the employer shall give to the employee a written statement containing particulars of the change.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)—

(a) in relation to a matter particulars of which are included or referred to in a statement given under Article 33 otherwise than in instalments, the material date is the date to which the statement relates,

(b) in relation to a matter particulars of which—

(i) are included or referred to in an instalment of a statement given under Article 33, or

(ii) are required by Article 34(4) to be included in a single document but are not included in an instalment of a statement given under Article 33 which does include other particulars to which that provision applies,

the material date is the date to which the instalment relates, and

(c) in relation to any other matter, the material date is the date by which a statement under Article 33 is required to be given.

(3) A statement under paragraph (1) shall be given at the earliest opportunity and, in any event, not later than—

(a) one month after the change in question, or

(b) where that change results from the employee being required to work outside the United Kingdom for a period of more than one month, the time when he leaves the United Kingdom in order to begin so to work, if that is earlier.

(4) A statement under paragraph (1) may refer the employee to the provisions of some other document which is reasonably accessible to the employee for a change in any of the matters specified in Articles 33(4)(d)(ii) and (iii) and 35(1)(a) and (c).

(5) A statement under paragraph (1) may refer the employee for a change in either of the matters specified in Article 33(4)(e) to the law or to the provisions of any collective agreement directly affecting the terms and conditions of the employment which is reasonably accessible to the employee.

(6) Where, after an employer has given to an employee a statement under Article 33, either—

(a) the name of the employer (whether an individual or a body corporate or partnership) is changed without any change in the identity of the employer, or

(b) the identity of the employer is changed in circumstances in which the continuity of the employee's period of employment is not broken,

and paragraph (7) applies in relation to the change, the person who is the employer immediately after the change is not required to give to the employee a statement under Article 33; but the change shall be treated as a change falling within paragraph (1) of this Article.

(7) This paragraph applies in relation to a change if it does not involve any change in any of the matters (other than the names of the parties) particulars of which are required by Articles 33 to 35 to be included or referred to in the statement under Article 33.

(8) A statement under paragraph (1) which informs an employee of a change such as is referred to in paragraph (6)(b) shall specify the date on which the employee's period of continuous employment began.

Exclusion from rights to statements N.I.

37.—(1) Articles 33 to 36 apply to an employee who at any time comes or ceases to come within the exceptions from those Articles provided by Articles 239 and 242, and under Article 250, as if his employment with his employer terminated or began at that time.

(2) The fact that Article 33 is directed by paragraph (1) to apply to an employee as if his employment began on his ceasing to come within the exceptions referred to in that paragraph does not affect the obligation under Article 33(3)(b) to specify the date on which his employment actually began.

Reasonably accessible document or collective agreement N.I.

38.  In Articles 34 to 36 references to a document or collective agreement which is reasonably accessible to an employee are references to a document or collective agreement which—

(a) the employee has reasonable opportunities of reading in the course of his employment, or

(b) is made reasonably accessible to the employee in some other way.

Power of Department to require particulars of further matters N.I.

39.  The Department may by order provide that Article 33 shall have effect as if particulars of such further matters as may be specified in the order were included in the particulars required by that Article; and, for that purpose, the order may include such provisions amending that Article as appear to the Department to be expedient.

[F34 Use of alternative documents to give particulars N.I.

39A.— (1)  Paragraphs (2) and (3) apply where—

(a) an employer gives an employee a document in writing in the form of a contract of employment or letter of engagement,

(b) the document contains information which, were the document in the form of a statement under Article 33, would meet the employer's obligation under that Article in relation to the matters mentioned in paragraphs (3) and (4)(a) to (c), (d)(i), (f) and (h) of that Article, and

(c) the document is given after the beginning of the employment and before the end of the period for giving a statement under that Article.

(2) The employer's duty under Article 33 in relation to any matter shall be treated as met if the document given to the employee contains information which, were the document in the form of a statement under that Article, would meet the employer's obligation under that Article in relation to that matter.

(3) The employer's duty under Article 35 shall be treated as met if the document given to the employee contains information which, were the document in the form of a statement under Article 33 and the information included in the form of a note, would meet the employer's obligation under Article 35.

(4) For the purposes of this Article a document to which paragraph (1)(a) applies shall be treated, in relation to information in respect of any of the matters mentioned in Article 33(4), as specifying the date on which the document is given to the employee as the date as at which the information applies.

(5) Where paragraph (2) applies in relation to any matter, the date on which the document by virtue of which that paragraph applies is given to the employee shall be the material date in relation to that matter for the purposes of Article 36(1).

(6) Where paragraph (3) applies, the date on which the document by virtue of which that paragraph applies is given to the employee shall be the material date for the purposes of Article 36(1) in relation to the matters of which particulars are required to be given under Article 35.

(7) The reference in Article 36(6) to an employer having given a statement under Article 33 shall be treated as including his having given a document by virtue of which his duty to give such a statement is treated as met.]

F34 2003 NI 15

Giving of alternative documents before start of employment N.I.

39B.  A document in the form of a contract of employment or letter of engagement given by an employer to an employee before the beginning of the employee's employment with the employer shall, when the employment begins, be treated for the purposes of Article 39A as having been given at that time.

Right to itemised pay statement N.I.

Itemised pay statement N.I.

40.—(1) An employee has the right to be given by his employer, at or before the time at which any payment of wages or salary is made to him, a written itemised pay statement.

(2) The statement shall contain particulars of—

(a) the gross amount of the wages or salary,

(b) the amounts of any variable, and (subject to Article (1) any fixed, deductions from that gross amount and the purposes for which they are made,

(c) the net amount of wages or salary payable, and

(d) where different parts of the net amount are paid in different ways, the amount and method of payment of each part-payment.

Standing statement of fixed deductions N.I.

41.—(1) A pay statement given in accordance with Article 40 need not contain separate particulars of a fixed deduction if—

(a) it contains instead an aggregate amount of fixed deductions, including that deduction, and

(b) the employer has given to the employee, at or before the time at which the pay statement is given, a standing statement of fixed deductions which satisfies paragraph (2).

(2) A standing statement of fixed deductions satisfies this paragraph if—

(a) it is in writing,

(b) it contains, in relation to each deduction comprised in the aggregate amount of deductions, particulars of—

(i) the amount of the deduction,

(ii) the intervals at which the deduction is to be made, and

(iii) the purpose for which it is made, and

(c) it is (in accordance with paragraph (5)) effective at the date on which the pay statement is given.

(3) A standing statement of fixed deductions may be amended, whether by—

(a) addition of a new deduction,

(b) a change in the particulars, or

(c) cancellation of an existing deduction,

by notice in writing, containing particulars of the amendment, given by the employer to the employee.

(4) An employer who has given to an employee a standing statement of fixed deductions shall—

(a) within the period of twelve months beginning with the date on which the first standing statement was given, and

(b) at intervals of not more than twelve months afterwards,

re-issue it in a consolidated form incorporating any amendments notified in accordance with paragraph (3).

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(c) a standing statement of fixed deductions—

(a) becomes effective on the date on which it is given to the employee, and

(b) ceases to be effective at the end of the period of twelve months beginning with that date or, where it is re-issued in accordance with paragraph (4), with the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the date of the last re-issue.

Power to amend provisions about pay and standing statements N.I.

42.  The Department may by order—

(a) vary the provisions of Articles 40 and 41 as to the particulars which must be included in a pay statement or a standing statement of fixed deductions by adding items to, or removing items from, the particulars listed in those Articles or by amending any such particulars, and

(b) vary the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) of Article 41 so as to shorten or extend the periods of twelve months referred to in those paragraphs, or those periods as varied from time to time under this Article.

Enforcement N.I.

References to industrial tribunals N.I.

43.—(1) Where an employer does not give an employee a statement as required by Article 33, 36 or 40 (either because he gives him no statement or because the statement he gives does not comply with what is required), the employee may require a reference to be made to an industrial tribunal to determine what particulars ought to have been included or referred to in a statement so as to comply with the requirements of the Article concerned.

(2) Where—

(a) a statement purporting to be a statement under Article 33 or 36, or a pay statement or a standing statement of fixed deductions purporting to comply with Article 40 or 41, has been given to an employee, and

(b) a question arises as to the particulars which ought to have been included or referred to in the statement so as to comply with the requirements of this Part,

either the employer or the employee may require the question to be referred to and determined by an industrial tribunal.

(3) For the purposes of this Article—

F35 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) a question as to the particulars which ought to have been included in a pay statement or standing statement of fixed deductions does not include a question solely as to the accuracy of an amount stated in any such particulars.

(4) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a reference under this Article in a case where the employment to which the reference relates has ceased unless an application requiring the reference to be made was made—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date on which the employment ceased, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the application to be made before the end of that period of three months.

[F36 (5) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (4)(a).]

F35 Art. 43(3)(a) and word omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 67

F36 Art. 43(5) added (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 13; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Determination of references N.I.

44.—(1) Where, on a reference under Article 43(1), an industrial tribunal determines particulars as being those which ought to have been included or referred to in a statement given under Article 33 or 36, the employer shall be deemed to have given to the employee a statement in which those particulars were included, or referred to, as specified in the decision of the tribunal.

(2) On determining a reference under Article 43(2) relating to a m statement purporting to be a statement under Article 33 or 36, an industrial tribunal may—

(a) confirm the particulars as included or referred to in the statement given by the employer,

(b) amend those particulars, or

(c) substitute other particulars for them,

as the tribunal may determine to be appropriate; and the statement shall be deemed to have been given by the employer to the employee in accordance with the decision of the tribunal.

(3) Where on a reference under Article 43 an industrial tribunal finds—

(a) that an employer has failed to give an employee any pay statement in accordance with Article 40, or

(b) that a pay statement or standing statement of fixed deductions does not, in relation to a deduction, contain the particulars required to be included in that statement by that Article or Article 41,

the tribunal shall make a declaration to that effect.

(4) Where on a reference in the case of which paragraph (3) applies the tribunal further finds that any unnotified deductions have been made from the pay of the employee during the period of thirteen weeks immediately preceding the date of the application for the reference (whether or not the deductions were made in breach of the contract of employment), the tribunal may order the employer to pay the employee a sum not exceeding the aggregate of the unnotified deductions so made.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4) a deduction is an unnotified deduction if it is made without the employer giving the employee, in any pay statement or standing statement of fixed deductions, the particulars of the deduction required by Article 40 or 41.

PART IV N.I. PROTECTION OF WAGES

Deductions by employer N.I.

Right not to suffer unauthorised deductions N.I.

45.—(1) An employer shall not make a deduction from wages of a worker employed by him unless—

(a) the deduction is required or authorised to be made by virtue of a statutory provision or a relevant provision of the worker's contract, or

(b) the worker has previously signified in writing his agreement or consent to the making of the deduction.

(2) In this Article “relevant provision”, in relation to a worker's contract, means a provision of the contract comprised—

(a) in one or more written terms of the contract of which the employer has given the worker a copy on an occasion prior to the employer making the deduction in question, or

(b) in one or more terms of the contract (whether express or implied and, if express, whether oral or in writing) the existence and effect, or combined effect, of which in relation to the worker the employer has notified to the worker in writing on such an occasion.

(3) Where the total amount of wages paid on any occasion by an employer to a worker employed by him is less than the total amount of the wages properly payable by him to the worker on that occasion (after deductions), the amount of the deficiency shall be treated for the purposes of this Part as a deduction made by the employer from the worker's wages on that occasion.

(4) Paragraph (3) does not apply in so far as the deficiency is attributable to an error of any description on the part of the employer affecting the computation by him of the gross amount of the wages properly payable by him to the worker on that occasion.

(5) For the purposes of this Article a relevant provision of a worker's contract having effect by virtue of a variation of the contract does not operate to authorise the making of a deduction on account of any conduct of the worker, or any other event occurring, before the variation took effect.

(6) For the purposes of this Article an agreement or consent signified by a worker does not operate to authorise the making of a deduction on account of any conduct of the worker, or any other event occurring, before the agreement or consent was signified.

(7) This Article does not affect any other statutory provision by virtue of which a sum payable to a worker by his employer but not constituting “wages” within the meaning of this Part is not to be subject to a deduction at the instance of the employer.

Excepted deductions N.I.

46.—(1) Article 45 does not apply to a deduction from a worker's wages made by his employer where the purpose of the deduction is the reimbursement of the employer in respect of—

(a) an overpayment of wages, or

(b) an overpayment in respect of expenses incurred by the worker in carrying out his employment,

made (for any reason) by the employer to the worker.

(2) Article 45 does not apply to a deduction from a worker's wages made by his employer in consequence of any disciplinary proceedings if those proceedings were held by virtue of a statutory provision.

(3) Article 45 does not apply to a deduction from a worker's wages made by his employer in pursuance of a requirement imposed on the employer by a statutory provision to deduct and pay over to a public authority amounts determined by that authority as being due to it from the worker if the deduction is made in accordance with the relevant determination of that authority.

(4) Article 45 does not apply to a deduction from a worker's wages made by his employer in pursuance of any arrangements which have been established—

(a) in accordance with a relevant provision of his contract to the inclusion of which in the contract the worker has signified his agreement or consent in writing, or

(b) otherwise with the prior agreement or consent of the worker signified in writing,

and under which the employer is to deduct and pay over to a third person amounts notified to the employer by that person as being due to him from the worker, if the deduction is made in accordance with the relevant notification by that person.

(5) Article 45 does not apply to a deduction from a worker's wages made by his employer where the worker has taken part in a strike or other industrial action and the deduction is made by the employer on account of the worker's having taken part in that strike or other action.

(6) Article 45 does not apply to a deduction from a worker's wages made by his employer with his prior agreement or consent signified in writing where the purpose of the deduction is the satisfaction (whether wholly or in part) of an order of a court or tribunal requiring the payment of an amount by the worker to the employer:

Payments to employer N.I.

Right not to have to make payments to employer N.I.

47.—(1) An employer shall not receive a payment from a worker employed by him unless—

(a) the payment is required or authorised to be made by virtue of a statutory provision or a relevant provision of the worker's contract, or

(b) the worker has previously signified in writing his agreement or consent to the making of the payment.

(2) In this Article “relevant provision”, in relation to a worker's contract, means a provision of the contract comprised—

(a) in one or more written terms of the contract of which the employer has given the worker a copy on an occasion prior to the employer receiving the payment in question, or

(b) in one or more terms of the contract (whether express or implied and, if express, whether oral or in writing) the existence and effect, or combined effect, of which in relation to the worker the employer has notified to the worker in writing on such an occasion.

(3) For the purposes of this Article a relevant provision of a worker's contract having effect by virtue of a variation of the contract does not operate to authorise the receipt of a payment on account of any conduct of the worker, or any other event occurring, before the variation took effect.

(4) For the purposes of this Article an agreement or consent signified by a worker does not operate to authorise the receipt of a payment on account of any conduct of the worker, or any other event occurring, before the agreement or consent was signified.

(5) Any reference in this Part to an employer receiving a payment from a worker employed by him is a reference to his receiving such a payment in his capacity as the worker's employer.

Excepted payments N.I.

48.—(1) Article 47 does not apply to a payment received from a worker by his employer where the purpose of the payment is the reimbursement of the employer in respect of—

(a) an overpayment of wages, or

(b) an overpayment in respect of expenses incurred by the worker in carrying out his employment,

made (for any reason) by the employer to the worker.

(2) Article 47 does not apply to a payment received from a worker by his employer in consequence of any disciplinary proceedings if those proceedings were held by virtue of a statutory provision.

(3) Article 47 does not apply to a payment received from a worker by his employer where the worker has taken part in a strike or other industrial action and the payment has been required by the employer on account of the worker's having taken part in that strike or other action.

(4) Article 47 does not apply to a payment received from a worker by his employer where the purpose of the payment is the satisfaction (whether wholly or in part) of an order of a court or tribunal requiring the payment of an amount by the worker to the employer.

Cash shortages and stock deficiencies in retail employment N.I.

Introductory N.I.

49.—(1) In the following provisions of this Part—

• “cash shortage” means a deficit arising in relation to amounts received in connection with retail transactions, and

• “stock deficiency” means a stock deficiency arising in the course of retail transactions.

(2) In the following provisions of this Part “retail employment”, in relation to a worker, means employment involving (whether or not on a regular basis)—

(a) the carrying out by the worker of retail transactions directly with members of the public or with fellow workers or other individuals in their personal capacities, or

(b) the collection by the worker of amounts payable in connection with retail transactions carried out by other persons directly with members of the public or with fellow workers or other individuals in their personal capacities.

(3) References in this Article to a “retail transaction” are to the sale or supply of goods or the supply of services (including financial services).

(4) References in the following provisions of this Part to a deduction made from wages of a worker in retail employment, or to a payment received from such a worker by his employer, on account of a cash shortage or stock deficiency include references to a deduction or payment so made or received on account of—

(a) any dishonesty or other conduct on the part of the worker which resulted in any such shortage or deficiency, or

(b) any other event in respect of which he (whether or not together with any other workers) has any contractual liability and which so resulted,

in each case whether or not the amount of the deduction or payment is designed to reflect the exact amount of the shortage or deficiency.

(5) References in the following provisions of this Part to the recovery from a worker of an amount in respect of a cash shortage or stock deficiency accordingly include references to the recovery from him of an amount in respect of any such conduct or event as is mentioned in paragraph (4)(a) or (b).

(6) In the following provisions of this Part “pay day”, in relation to a worker, means a day on which wages are payable to the worker.

Limits on amount and time of deductions N.I.

50.—(1) Where (in accordance with Article 45) the employer of a worker in retail employment makes, on account of one or more cash shortages or stock deficiencies, a deduction or deductions from wages payable to the worker on a pay day, the amount or aggregate amount of the deduction or deductions shall not exceed one-tenth of the gross amount of the wages payable to the worker on that day.

(2) Where the employer of a worker in retail employment makes a deduction from the worker's wages on account of a cash shortage or stock deficiency, the employer shall not be treated as making the deduction in accordance with Article 45 unless (in addition to the requirements of that Article being satisfied with respect to the deduction)—

(a) the deduction is made, or

(b) in the case of a deduction which is one of a series of deductions relating to the shortage or deficiency, the first deduction in the series was made,

not later than the end of the relevant period.

(3) In paragraph (2) “the relevant period” means the period of twelve months beginning with the date when the employer established the existence of the shortage or deficiency or (if earlier) the date when he ought reasonably to have done so.

Wages determined by reference to shortages etc. N.I.

51.—(1) This Article applies where—

(a) by virtue of an agreement between a worker in retail employment and his employer, the amount of the worker's wages or any part of them is or may be determined by reference to the incidence of cash shortages or stock deficiencies, and

(b) the gross amount of the wages payable to the worker on any pay day is, on account of any such shortages or deficiencies, less than the gross amount of the wages that would have been payable to him on that day if there had been no such shortages or deficiencies.

(2) The amount representing the difference between the two amounts referred to in paragraph (1)(b) shall be treated for the purposes of this Part as a deduction from the wages payable to the worker on that day made by the employer on account of the cash shortages or stock deficiencies in question.

(3) The second of the amounts referred to in paragraph (1)(b) shall be treated for the purposes of this Part (except paragraph (1)) as the gross amount of the wages payable to him on that day.

(4) Accordingly—

(a) Article 45, and

(b) if the requirements of Article 45 and paragraph (2) of Article 50 are satisfied, paragraph (1) of Article 50,

have effect in relation to the amount referred to in paragraph (2) of this Article.

Limits on method and timing of payments N.I.

52.—(1) Where the employer of a worker in retail employment receives from the worker a payment on account of a cash shortage or stock deficiency, the employer shall not be treated as receiving the payment in accordance with Article 47 unless (in addition to the requirements of that Article being satisfied with respect to the payment) he has previously—

(a) notified the worker in writing of the worker's total liability to him in respect of that shortage or deficiency, and

(b) required the worker to make the payment by means of a demand for payment made in accordance with the following provisions of this Article.

(2) A demand for payment made by the employer of a worker in retail employment in respect of a cash shortage or stock deficiency—

(a) shall be made in writing, and

(b) shall be made on one of the worker's pay days.

(3) A demand for payment in respect of a particular cash shortage or stock deficiency, or (in the case of a series of such demands) the first such demand, shall not be made—

(a) earlier than the first pay day of the worker following the date when he is notified of his total liability in respect of the shortage or deficiency in pursuance of paragraph (1)(a) or, where he is so notified on a pay day, earlier than that day, or

(b) later than the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the date when the employer established the existence of the shortage or deficiency or (if earlier) the date when he ought reasonably to have done so.

(4) For the purposes of this Part a demand for payment shall be treated as made by the employer on one of a worker's pay days if it is given to the worker or posted to, or left at, his last known address—

(a) on that pay day, or

(b) in the case of a pay day which is not a working day of the employer's business, on the first such working day following that pay day.

(5) Legal proceedings by the employer of a worker in retail employment for the recovery from the worker of an amount in respect of a cash shortage or stock deficiency shall not be instituted by the employer after the end of the period referred to in paragraph (3)(b) unless the employer has within that period made a demand for payment in respect of that amount in accordance with this Article.

Limit on amount of payments N.I.

53.—(1) Where the employer of a worker in retail employment makes on any pay day one or more demands for payment in accordance with Article 52, the amount or aggregate amount required to be paid by the worker in pursuance of the demand or demands shall not exceed—

(a) one-tenth of the gross amount of the wages payable to the worker on that day, or

(b) where one or more deductions falling within Article 50(1) are made by the employer from those wages, such amount as represents the balance of that one-tenth after subtracting the amount or aggregate amount of the deduction or deductions.

(2) Once an amount has been required to be paid by means of a demand for payment made in accordance with Article 52 on any pay day, that amount shall not be taken into account under paragraph (1) as it applies to any subsequent pay day, even though the employer is obliged to make further requests for it to be paid.

(3) Where in any legal proceedings the court finds that the employer of a worker in retail employment is (in accordance with Article 47 as it applies apart from Article 52(1)) entitled to recover an amount from the worker in respect of a cash shortage or stock deficiency, the court shall, in ordering the payment by the worker to the employer of that amount, make such provision as appears to the court to be necessary to ensure that it is paid by the worker at a rate not exceeding that at which it could be recovered from him by the employer in accordance with this Article.

Final instalments of wages N.I.

54.—(1) In this Article “final instalment of wages”, in relation to a worker, means—

(a) the amount of wages payable to the worker which consists of or includes an amount payable by way of contractual remuneration in respect of the last of the periods for which he is employed under his contract prior to its termination for any reason (but excluding any wages referable to any earlier such period), or

(b) where an amount in lieu of notice is paid to the worker later than the amount referred to in sub-paragraph (a), the amount so paid,

in each case whether the amount in question is paid before or after the termination of the worker's contract.

(2) Article 50(1) does not operate to restrict the amount of any deductions which may (in accordance with Article 45(1)) be made by the employer of a worker in retail employment from the worker's final instalment of wages.

(3) Nothing in Article 52 or 53 applies to a payment falling within Article 52(1) which is made on or after the day on which any such worker's final instalment of wages is paid; but (even if the requirements of Article 47 would otherwise be satisfied with respect to it) his employer shall not be treated as receiving any such payment in accordance with that Article if the payment was first required to be made after the end of the period referred to in Article 52(3)(b).

(4) Article 53(3) does not apply to an amount which is to be paid by a worker on or after the day on which his final instalment of wages is paid.

Enforcement N.I.

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

55.—(1) A worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal—

(a) that his employer has made a deduction from his wages in contravention of Article 45 (including a deduction made in contravention of that Article as it applies by virtue of Article 50( 2)),

(b) that his employer has received from him a payment in contravention of Article 47 (including a payment received in contravention of that Article as it applies by virtue of Article 52(1)),

(c) that his employer has recovered from his wages by means of one or more deductions falling within Article 50(1) an amount or aggregate amount exceeding the limit applying to the deduction or deductions under that provision, or

(d) that his employer has received from him in pursuance of one or more demands for payment made (in accordance with Article 52) on a particular pay day, a payment or payments of an amount or aggregate amount exceeding the limit applying to the demand or demands under Article 53(1).

(2) Subject to paragraph (4), an industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented before the end of the period of three months beginning with—

(a) in the case of a complaint relating to a deduction by the employer, the date of payment of the wages from which the deduction was made, or

(b) in the case of a complaint relating to a payment received by the employer, the date when the payment was received.

[F37 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2).]

(3) Where a complaint is brought under this Article in respect of — —

(a) a series of deductions or payments, or

(b) a number of payments falling within paragraph (1)(d) and made in pursuance of demands for payment subject to the same limit under Article 53(1) but received by the employer on different dates,

the references in paragraph (2) to the deduction or payment are to the last deduction or payment in the series or to the last of the payments so received.

(4) Where the industrial tribunal is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for a complaint under this Article to be presented before the end of the relevant period of three months, the tribunal may consider the complaint if it is presented within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable.

[F38 (5) No complaint shall be presented under this Article in respect of any deduction made in contravention of Article 60 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Order (wrongful deduction of political fund contribution).]

F37 Art. 55(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 14; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

F38 1998 NI 8

Determination of complaints N.I.

56.— [F39 (1)] Where a tribunal finds a complaint under Article 55 well-founded, it shall make a declaration to that effect and shah order the employer—

(a) in the case of a complaint under Article 55(1)(a), to pay to the worker the amount of any deduction made in contravention of Article 45,

(b) in the case of a complaint under Article 55(1)(b), to repay to the worker the amount of any payment received in contravention of Article 47,

(c) in the case of a complaint under Article 55(1)(c), to pay to the worker any amount recovered from him in excess of the limit mentioned in that provision, and

(d) in the case of a complaint under Article 55(1)(d), to repay to the worker any amount received from him in excess of the limit mentioned in that provision.

[F40 (2) Where a tribunal makes a declaration under paragraph (1), it may order the employer to pay to the worker (in addition to any amount ordered to be paid under that paragraph) such amount as the tribunal considers appropriate in all the circumstances to compensate the worker for any financial loss sustained by him which is attributable to the matter complained of.]

F39 Art. 56 renumbered (3.8.2010) as art. 56(1) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 12), ss. 6(1)(a), 8(2) (with s. 6(3))

F40 Art. 56(2) inserted (3.8.2010) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 12), ss. 6(1)(b), 8(2) (with s. 6(3))

Determinations: supplementary N.I.

57.—(1) Where, in the case of any complaint under Article 55(1)(a), a tribunal finds that, although neither of the conditions set out in Article 45(1)(a) and (b) was satisfied with respect to the whole amount of the deduction, one of those conditions was satisfied with respect to any lesser amount, the amount of the deduction shall for the purposes of Article 56(a) be treated as reduced by the amount with respect to which that condition was satisfied.

(2) Where, in the case of any complaint under Article 55(1)(b), a tribunal finds that, although neither of the conditions set out in Article 47(1)(a) and (b) was satisfied with respect to the whole amount of the payment, one of those conditions was satisfied with respect to any lesser amount, the amount of the payment shall for the purposes of Article 56(b) be treated as reduced by the amount with respect to which that condition was satisfied.

(3) An employer shall not under Article 56 be ordered by a tribunal to pay or repay to a worker any amount in respect of a deduction or payment, or in respect of any combination of deductions or payments, in so far as it appears to the tribunal that he has already paid or repaid any such amount to the worker.

(4) Where a tribunal has under Article 56 ordered an employer to pay or repay to a worker any amount in respect of a particular deduction or payment falling within Article 55(1)(a) to (d), the amount which the employer is entitled to recover (by whatever means) in respect of the matter in relation to which the deduction or payment was originally made or received shall be treated as reduced by that amount.

(5) Where a tribunal has under Article 56 ordered an employer to pay or repay to a worker any amount in respect of any combination of deductions or payments falling within Article 55(1)(c) or (d), the aggregate amount which the employer is entitled to recover (by whatever means) in respect of the cash shortages or stock deficiencies in relation to which the deductions or payments were originally made or required to be made shall be treated as reduced by that amount.

Complaints and other remedies N.I.

58.  Article 55 does not affect the jurisdiction of an industrial tribunal to consider a reference under Article 43 in relation to any deduction from the wages of a worker; but the aggregate of any amounts ordered by an industrial tribunal to be paid under Article 44(4) and under Article 56 (whether on the same or different occasions) in respect of a particular deduction shall not exceed the amount of the deduction.

Supplementary N.I.

Meaning of “wages” etc. N.I.

59.—(1) In this Part “wages”, in relation to a worker, means any sums payable to the worker in connection with his employment, including—

(a) any fee, bonus, commission, holiday pay or other emolument referable to his employment, whether payable under his contract or otherwise,

(b) statutory sick pay under Part XI of the [1992 c. 7.] Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992,

(c) statutory maternity pay under Part XII of that Act,

[F41 (ca) [F42 statutory paternity pay] under Part XllZA of that Act,

(cb) statutory adoption pay under Part XllZB of that Act,]

[F43 (cc) statutory shared parental pay under Part 12ZC of that Act,]

[F44 (cd) statutory parental bereavement pay under Part 12ZD of that Act,]

(d) a guarantee payment under Article 60,

(e) any payment for time off under Part VII,

(f) remuneration on suspension on medical grounds under Article 96 and remuneration on suspension on maternity grounds under Article 100,

[F45 (fa) remuneration on ending the supply of an agency worker on maternity grounds under Article 68C of this Order.]

(g) any sum payable in pursuance of an order for reinstatement or re-engagement under Article 147,

(h) any sum payable in pursuance of an order for the continuation of a contract of employment under Article 165, and

(j) remuneration under a protective award made under Article 217,

but excluding any payments within paragraph (2).

(2) Those payments are—

(a) any payment by way of an advance under an agreement for a loan or by way of an advance of wages (but without prejudice to the application of Article 45 to any deduction made from the worker's wages in respect of any such advance),

(b) any payment in respect of expenses incurred by the worker in carrying out his employment,

(c) any payment by way of a pension, allowance or gratuity in connection with the worker's retirement or as compensation for loss of office,

(d) any payment referable to the worker's redundancy, and

(e) any payment to the worker otherwise than in his capacity as a worker.

(3) Where any payment in the nature of a non-contractual bonus is (for any reason) made to a worker by his employer, the amount of the payment shall for the purposes of this Part—

(a) be treated as wages of the worker, and

(b) be treated as payable to him as such on the day on which the payment is made.

(4) In this Part “gross amount”, in relation to any wages payable to a worker, means the total amount of those wages before deductions of whatever nature.

(5) For the purposes of this Part any monetary value attaching to any payment or benefit in kind furnished to a worker by his employer shall not be treated as wages of the worker except in the case of any voucher, stamp or similar document which is—

(a) of a fixed value expressed in monetary terms, and

(b) capable of being exchanged (whether on its own or together with other vouchers, stamps or documents, and whether immediately or only after a time) for money, goods or services (or for any combination of two or more of those things).

F41 2002 NI 2

F42 Words in art. 59(1)(ca) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(4)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F43 Art. 59(1)(cc) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(4)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F44 Art. 59(1)(cd) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 17; S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

F45 Art. 59(1)(fa) inserted (5.12.2011) by Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), Sch. 2 para. 9

[F46 PART IVA N.I. ZERO HOURS WORKERS

F46 Pt. 4A inserted (20.9.2021) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 18, 29(2); S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(c)

Zero hours workers N.I.

59A— (1) The Department may by regulations make such provision as the Department considers appropriate for the purpose of preventing abuses arising out of or in connection with the use of—

(a) zero hours contracts;

(b) non-contractual zero hours arrangements; or

(c) worker's contracts of a kind specified by the regulations.

(2) In this Article—

“non-contractual zero hours arrangement” means an arrangement other than a worker's contract under which—

(a)

an employer and an individual agree terms on which the individual will do any work where the employer makes it available to the individual and the individual agrees to do it, but

(b)

the employer is not required to make any work available to the individual, nor the individual required to accept it;

and in this Article “employer”, in relation to a non-contractual zero hours arrangement, is to be read accordingly;

“zero hours contract” means a contract of employment or other worker's contract under which—

(a)

the undertaking to do or perform work is an undertaking to do so conditionally on the employer making work available to the worker; and

(b)

there is no certainty that any such work will be made available to the worker.

(3) For the purposes of this Article—

(a) an employer makes work available to a worker if the employer requests or requires the worker to do the work; and

(b) references to work and doing work include references to services and performing them.

(4) The worker's contracts which may be specified under paragraph (1)(c) are those in relation to which the Department considers it appropriate for provision made by the regulations to apply, having regard, in particular, to provision made by the worker's contracts as to income, rate of pay or working hours.

(5) Regulations under this Article may amend or repeal any statutory provision (including paragraphs (2) to (4)).]

PART V N.I. GUARANTEE PAYMENTS

Right to guarantee payment N.I.

60.—(1) Where throughout a day during any part of which an employee would normally be required to work in accordance with his contract of employment the employee is not provided with work by his employer by reason of—

(a) a diminution in the requirements of the employer's business for work of the kind which the employee is employed to do, or

(b) any other occurrence affecting the normal working of the employer's business in relation to work of the kind which the employee is employed to do,

the employee is entitled to be paid by his employer an amount in respect of that day.

(2) In this Order a payment to which an employee is entitled under paragraph (1) is referred to as a guarantee payment.

(3) In this Part—

(a) a day falling within paragraph (1) is referred to as a “workless day”, and

(b) “workless period” has a corresponding meaning.

(4) In this Part “day” means the period of twenty-four hours from midnight to midnight.

(5) Where a period of employment begun on any day extends, or would normally extend, over midnight into the following day—

(a) if the employment before midnight is, or would normally be, of longer duration than that after midnight, the period of employment shall be treated as falling wholly on the first day, and

(b) in any other case, the period of employment shall be treated as falling wholly on the second day.

Exclusions from right to guarantee payment N.I.

61.—(1) An employee is not entitled to a guarantee payment unless he has been continuously employed for a period of not less than one month ending with the day before that in respect of which the guarantee payment is claimed.

Para. (2) rep. by SR 2002/298

(3) An employee is not entitled to a guarantee payment in respect of a workless day if the failure to provide him with work for that day occurs in consequence of a strike, lock-out or other industrial action involving any employee of his employer or of an associated employer.

(4) An employee is not entitled to a guarantee payment in respect of a workless day if—

(a) his employer has offered to provide alternative work for that day which is suitable in all the circumstances (whether or not it is work which the employee is under his contract employed to perform), and

(b) the employee has unreasonably refused that offer.

(5) An employee is not entitled to a guarantee payment if he does not comply with reasonable requirements imposed by his employer with a view to ensuring that his services are available.

Calculation of guarantee payment N.I.

62.—(1) Subject to Article 63, the amount of a guarantee payment payable to an employee in respect of any day is the sum produced by multiplying the number of normal working hours on the day by the guaranteed hourly rate; and, accordingly, no guarantee payment is payable to an employee in whose case there are no normal working hours on the day in question.

(2) The guaranteed hourly rate, in relation to an employee, is the amount of one week's pay divided by the number of normal working hours in a week for that employee when employed under the contract of employment in force on the day in respect of which the guarantee payment is payable.

(3) But where the number of normal working hours differs from week to week or over a longer period, the amount of one week's pay shall be divided instead by—

(a) the average number of normal working hours calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of the employee's normal working hours during the period of twelve weeks ending with the last complete week before the day in respect of which the guarantee payment is payable, or

(b) where the employee has not been employed for a sufficient period to enable the calculation to be made under sub-paragraph (a), a number which fairly represents the number of normal working hours in a week having regard to such of the considerations specified in paragraph (4) as are appropriate in the circumstances.

(4) The considerations referred to in paragraph (3)(b) are—

(a) the average number of normal working hours in a week which the employee could expect in accordance with the terms of his contract, and

(b) the average number of normal working hours of other employees engaged in relevant comparable employment with the same employer.

(5) If in any case an employee's contract has been varied, or a new contract has been entered into, in connection with a period of short-time working, paragraphs (2) and (3) have effect as if for the references to the day in respect of which the guarantee payment is payable there were substituted references to the last day on which the original contract was in force.

Limits on amount of and entitlement to guarantee payment N.I.

63.—(1) The amount of a guarantee payment payable to an employee in respect of any day shall not exceed [F47 £35.00].

(2) An employee is not entitled to guarantee payments in respect of more than the specified number of days in any period of three months.

(3) The specified number of days for the purposes of paragraph (2) is the number of days, not exceeding five, on which the employee normally works in a week under the contract of employment in force on the day in respect of which the guarantee payment is claimed.

(4) But where that number of days varies from week to week or over a longer period, the specified number of days is instead—

(a) the average number of such days, not exceeding five, calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of such days during the period of twelve weeks ending with the last complete week before the day in respect of which the guarantee payment is claimed, and rounding up the resulting figure to the next whole number, or

(b) where the employee has not been employed for a sufficient period to enable the calculation to be made under sub-paragraph (a), a number which fairly represents the number of the employee's normal working days in a week, not exceeding five, having regard to such of the considerations specified in paragraph (5) as are appropriate in the circumstances.

(5) The considerations referred to in paragraph (4)(b) are—

(a) the average number of normal working days in a week which the employee could expect in accordance with the terms of his contract, and

(b) the average number of such days of other employees engaged in relevant comparable employment with the same employer.

(6) If in any case an employee's contract has been varied, or a new contract has been entered into, in connection with a period of short-time working, paragraphs (3) and (4) have effect as if for the references to the day in respect of which the guarantee payment is claimed there were substituted references to the last day on which the original contract was in force.

[F48 (7) The Department may by order vary—

(a) the length of the period specified in paragraph (2);

(b) a limit specified in paragraph (3) or (4).]

F47 Sum in art. 63(1) substituted (6.4.2023) by The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/36), art. 1(1), Sch.

F48 1999 NI 9

Contractual remuneration N.I.

64.—(1) A right to a guarantee payment does not affect any right of an employee in relation to remuneration under his contract of employment ( “contractual remuneration”).

(2) Any contractual remuneration paid to an employee in respect of a workless day goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay a guarantee payment in respect of that day; and, conversely, any guarantee payment paid in respect of a day goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that day.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), contractual remuneration shall be treated as paid in respect of a workless day—

(a) where it is expressed to be calculated or payable by reference to that day or any part of that day, to the extent that it is so expressed, and

(b) in any other case, to the extent that it represents guaranteed remuneration, rather than remuneration for work actually done, and is referable to that day when apportioned rateably between that day and any other workless period falling within the period in respect of which the remuneration is paid.

Power to modify provisions about guarantee payments N.I.

65.  The Department may by order provide that in relation to any description of employees the provisions of—

(a) Articles 60(4) and (5), 62, 63(3) to (5) (as originally enacted or as varied under Article 63(7)) and 64, and

(b) so far as they apply for the purposes of those provisions, Article 5 and Chapter IV of Part I,

shall have effect subject to such modifications and adaptations as may be prescribed by the order.

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

66.—(1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his employer has failed to pay the whole or any part of a guarantee payment to which the employee is entitled.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint relating to a guarantee payment in respect of any day unless the complaint is presented to the tribunal—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with that day, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F49 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under this Article well-founded, the tribunal shall order the employer to pay to the employee the amount of guarantee payment which it finds is due to him.

F49 Art. 66(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 15; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Exemption orders N.I.

67.—(1) Where—

(a) at any time there is in force a collective agreement, or an agricultural wages order, under which employees to whom the agreement or order relates have a right to guaranteed remuneration, and

(b) on the application of all the parties to the agreement, or of the Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland, the appropriate Department (having regard to the provisions of the agreement or order) is satisfied that Article 60 should not apply to those employees,

it may make an order under this Article excluding those employees from the operation of that Article.

(2) In this Article “agricultural wages order” means an order made under Article 4 of the [1977 NI 22.] Agricultural Wages (Northern Ireland) Order 1977.

(3) In paragraph (1) “the appropriate Department” means—

(a) in relation to a collective agreement, the Department, and

(b) in relation to an agricultural wages order, the Department of Agriculture.

(4) The Department shall not make an order under this Article in respect of an agreement unless—

(a) the agreement provides for procedures to be followed (whether by arbitration or otherwise) in cases where an employee claims that his employer has failed to pay the whole or any part of any guaranteed remuneration to which the employee is entitled under the agreement and those procedures include a right to arbitration or adjudication by an independent referee or body in cases where (by reason of an equality of votes or otherwise) a decision cannot otherwise be reached, or

(b) the agreement indicates that an employee to whom the agreement relates may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his employer has failed to pay the whole or any part of any guaranteed remuneration to which the employee is entitled under the agreement.

(5) Where an order under this Article is in force in respect of an agreement indicating as described in sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (4) an industrial tribunal shall have jurisdiction over a complaint such as is mentioned in that sub-paragraph as if it were a complaint falling within Article 66.

(6) An order varying or revoking an earlier order under this Article may be made in pursuance of an application by all or any of the parties to the agreement in question, or the Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland, or in the absence of such an application.

[F50 PART VA N.I. PROTECTED DISCLOSURES

F50 1998 NI 17

Meaning of “protected disclosure” N.I.

67A.   In this Order a “protected disclosure” means a qualifying disclosure (as defined by Article 67B) which is made by a worker in accordance with any of Articles 67C to 67H.

Disclosures qualifying for protection N.I.

67B.— (1) In this Part a “qualifying disclosure” means any disclosure of information which, in the reasonable belief of the worker making the disclosure, [F51 is made in the public interest and] tends to show one or more of the following—

(a) that a criminal offence has been committed, is being committed or is likely to be committed,

(b) that a person has failed, is failing or is likely to fail to comply with any legal obligation to which he is subject,

(c) that a miscarriage of justice has occurred, is occurring or is likely to occur,

(d) that the health or safety of any individual has been, is being or is likely to be endangered,

(e) that the environment has been, is being or is likely to be damaged, or

(f) that information tending to show any matter falling within any one of the preceding sub-paragraphs has been, is being or is likely to be deliberately concealed.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), it is immaterial whether the relevant failure occurred, occurs or would occur in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, and whether the law applying to it is that of the United Kingdom or of any other country or territory.

(3) A disclosure of information is not a qualifying disclosure if the person making the disclosure commits an offence by making it.

(4) A disclosure of information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings is not a qualifying disclosure if it is made by a person to whom the information had been disclosed in the course of obtaining legal advice.

(5) In this Part “the relevant failure”, in relation to a qualifying disclosure, means the matter falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (f) of paragraph (1).

F51 Words in art. 67B(1) inserted (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 13, 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

Disclosure to employer or other responsible person N.I.

67C.— (1) A qualifying disclosure is made in accordance with this Article if the worker makes the disclosure F52 ...—

(a) to his employer, or

(b) where the worker reasonably believes that the relevant failure relates solely or mainly to—

(i) the conduct of a person other than his employer, or

(ii) any other matter for which a person other than his employer has legal responsibility, to that other person.

(2) A worker who, in accordance with a procedure whose use by him is authorised by his employer, makes a qualifying disclosure to a person other than his employer, is to be treated for the purposes of this Part as making the qualifying disclosure to his employer.

F52 Words in art. 67C(1) repealed (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 14(1), 29(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

Disclosure to legal adviser N.I.

67D.   A qualifying disclosure is made in accordance with this Article if it is made in the course of obtaining legal advice.

Disclosure to Minister of the Crown or a Northern Ireland department N.I.

67E.   A qualifying disclosure is made in accordance with this Article if—

(a) the worker's employer is—

(i) an individual appointed under any statutory provision by a Minister of the Crown or a Northern Ireland department, or

(ii) a body any of whose members are so appointed, and

(b) the disclosure is made F53 ... to a Minister of the Crown or a Northern Ireland department.

F53 Words in art. 67E(b) repealed (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 14(1)(b), 29(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

Disclosure to prescribed person N.I.

67F.— (1) A qualifying disclosure is made in accordance with this Article if the worker—

(a) makes the disclosure F54 ... to a person prescribed by an order made by the Department for the purposes of this Article, and

(b) reasonably believes—

(i) that the relevant failure falls within any description of matters in respect of which that person is so prescribed, and

(ii) that the information disclosed, and any allegation contained in it, are substantially true.

(2) An order prescribing persons for the purposes of this Article may specify persons or descriptions of persons, and shall specify the descriptions of matters in respect of which each person, or persons of each description, is or are prescribed.

F54 Words in art. 67F(1)(a) repealed (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 14(1)(c), 29(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

[F55 Prescribed persons: duty to report on disclosure of information N.I.

67FA— (1) The Department may make regulations requiring a person prescribed for the purposes of Article 67F to produce an annual report on disclosures of information made to the person by workers.

(2) The regulations must set out the matters that are to be covered in a report, but must not require a report to provide detail that would enable either of the following to be identified—

(a) a worker who has made a disclosure;

(b) an employer or other person in respect of whom a disclosure has been made.

(3) The regulations must make provision about the publication of a report, and such provision may include (but is not limited to) any of the following requirements—

(a) to send the report to the Department for laying before the Assembly or to the Secretary of State for laying before both Houses of Parliament;

(b) to include the report in another report or in information required to be published by the prescribed person;

(c) to publish the report on a website.

(4) The regulations may make provision about the time period within which a report must be produced and published.]

F55 Art. 67FA inserted (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 15, 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

Disclosure in other cases N.I.

67G.— (1) A qualifying disclosure is made in accordance with this Article if—

F56 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) [F57 the worker] reasonably believes that the information disclosed, and any allegation contained in it, are substantially true,

(c) he does not make the disclosure for purposes of personal gain,

(d) any of the conditions in paragraph (2) is met, and

(e) in all the circumstances of the case, it is reasonable for him to make the disclosure.

(2) The conditions referred to in paragraph (1)(d) are—

(a) that, at the time he makes the disclosure, the worker reasonably believes that he will be subjected to a detriment by his employer if he makes a disclosure to his employer or in accordance with Article 67F,

(b) that, in a case where no person is prescribed for the purposes of Article 67F in relation to the relevant failure, the worker reasonably believes that it is likely that evidence relating to the relevant failure will be concealed or destroyed if he makes a disclosure to his employer, or

(c) that the worker has previously made a disclosure of substantially the same information—

(i) to his employer, or

(ii) in accordance with Article 67F.

(3) In determining for the purposes of paragraph (1)(e) whether it is reasonable for the worker to make the disclosure, regard shall be had, in particular, to—

(a) the identity of the person to whom the disclosure is made,

(b) the seriousness of the relevant failure,

(c) whether the relevant failure is continuing or is likely to occur in the future,

(d) whether the disclosure is made in breach of a duty of confidentiality owed by the employer to any other person,

(e) in a case falling within paragraph (2)(c)(i) or (ii), any action which the employer or the person to whom the previous disclosure in accordance with Article 67F was made has taken or might reasonably be expected to have taken as a result of the previous disclosure, and

(f) in a case falling within paragraph (2)(c)(i), whether in making the disclosure to the employer the worker complied with any procedure whose use by him was authorised by the employer.

(4) For the purposes of this Article a subsequent disclosure may be regarded as a disclosure of substantially the same information as that disclosed by a previous disclosure as mentioned in paragraph (2)(c) even though the subsequent disclosure extends to information about action taken or not taken by any person as a result of the previous disclosure.

F56 Art. 67G(1)(a) repealed (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 14(2)(a), 29(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

F57 Words in art. 67G(1)(b) substituted (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 14(2)(b), 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

Disclosure of exceptionally serious failure N.I.

67H.— (1) A qualifying disclosure is made in accordance with this Article if—

F58 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) [F59 the worker] reasonably believes that the information disclosed, and any allegation contained in it, are substantially true,

(c) he does not make the disclosure for purposes of personal gain,

(d) the relevant failure is of an exceptionally serious nature, and

(e) in all the circumstances of the case, it is reasonable for him to make the disclosure.

(2) In determining for the purposes of paragraph (1)(e) whether it is reasonable for the worker to make the disclosure, regard shall be had, in particular, to the identity of the person to whom the disclosure is made.

F58 Art. 67H(1)(a) repealed (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 14(3)(a), 29(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

F59 Words in art. 67H(1)(b) substituted (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 14(3)(b), 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

Contractual duties of confidentiality N.I.

67J.— (1) Any provision in an agreement to which this Article applies is void in so far as it purports to preclude the worker from making a protected disclosure.

(2) This Article applies to any agreement between a worker and his employer (whether a worker's contract or not), including an agreement to refrain from instituting or continuing any proceedings under this Order or any proceedings for breach of contract.

Extension of meaning of “worker” etc. for Part VA N.I.

67K.— (1) For the purposes of this Part “worker” includes an individual who is not a worker as defined by Article 3(3) but who—

(a) works or worked for a person in circumstances in which—

(i) he is or was introduced or supplied to do that work by a third person, and

(ii) the terms on which he is or was engaged to do the work are or were in practice substantially determined not by him but by the person for whom he works or worked,by thethird person orby both ofthem,

(b) contracts or contracted with a person, for the purposes of that person's business, for the execution of work to be done in a place not under the control or management of that person and would fall within Article 3(3)(b) if for “personally” in that provision there were substituted “ (whether personally or otherwise) ”,

[F60 (ba) works or worked as a person performing services under a contract entered into by him with [F61 the Department of Health] under Article 57 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972,]

(c) works or worked as a person providing general medical services, general dental services, general ophthalmic services or pharmaceutical services in accordance with arrangements made by [F62 the Department of Health] under Article 56, 61, 62 or 63 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, F63 ...

[F64 (ca) is or was provided with work experience provided pursuant to a course of education or training approved by, or under arrangements with, the Nursing and Midwifery Council in accordance with Article 15(6)(a) of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (S.I. 2002/253); or]

(d) is or was provided with work experience provided pursuant to a training course or programme or with training for employment (or with both) otherwise than—

(i) under a contract of employment, or

(ii) by an educational establishment on a course run by that establishment;

and any reference to a worker's contract, to employment or to a worker being “employed” shall be construed accordingly.

(2) For the purposes of this Part “employer” includes—

(a) in relation to a worker falling within sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (1), the person who substantially determines or determined the terms on which he is or was engaged,

[F60 (aa) in relation to a worker falling within sub-paragraph (ba) of that paragraph, [F65 the Department of Health] ;]

(b) in relation to a worker falling within sub-paragraph (c) of that paragraph, [F66 the Department of Health] , and

(c) in relation to a worker falling within sub-paragraph [F67 (ca) or] (d) of that paragraph, the person providing the work experience or training.

(3) In this Article “educational establishment” includes any university, college, school or other educational establishment.

[F68 (4) The Department may by order make amendments to this Article as to what individuals count as “workers” for the purposes of this Part (despite not being within the definition in Article 3(3)).

(5) An order under paragraph (4) may not make an amendment that has the effect of removing a category of individual unless the Department is satisfied that there are no longer any individuals in that category.]

F60 2004 NI 2

F61 Words in art. 67K(1)(ba) substituted (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 169(3)(a); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)

F62 Words in art. 67K(1)(c) substituted (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 169(3)(a); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)

F63 Word in art. 67K(1)(c) repealed (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

F64 Art. 67K(1)(ca) inserted (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 17(2), 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

F65 Words in art. 67K(2)(aa) substituted (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 169(3)(b); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)

F66 Words in art. 67K(2)(b) substituted (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 169(3)(c); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)

F67 Words in art. 67K(2)(c) inserted (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 17(3), 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

F68 Art. 67K(4)(5) added (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 17(4), 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

[F69 Application of Part VA and related provisions to police N.I.

67KA— (1) Paragraph (2) applies for the purposes of—

(a) this Part,

(b) Article 70B and Articles 71 and 72 so far as relating to that Article, and

(c) Article 134A and the other provisions of Part XI so far as they relate to the right not to be unfairly dismissed in a case where the dismissal is unfair by virtue of Article 134A.

(2) A person who holds, otherwise than under a contract of employment, the office of constable shall be treated as an employee employed by the relevant officer under a contract of employment; and any reference to a worker being “employed” and to his “employer” shall be construed accordingly.

(3) In this Article “the relevant officer”

(a) in relation to a police officer, means the Chief Constable;

(b) F70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) in relation to any other person holding the office of constable, means the person who has the direction and control of the body of constables in question.]

F69 2003 c. 6

F70 Art. 67KA(3)(b) repealed (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 59, 174(2), 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 90, Sch. 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. paras. 10, 12, 13(bb) (with art. 4(2)-(7))

Other interpretative provisions N.I.

67L.— (1) In this Part—

• “Northern Ireland department” includes the head of a Northern Ireland department;

• “qualifying disclosure” has the meaning given by Article 67B;

• “the relevant failure”, in relation to a qualifying disclosure, has the meaning given by Article 67B(5).

(2) In determining for the purposes of this Part whether a person makes a disclosure for purposes of personal gain, there shall be disregarded any reward payable by or under any statutory provision.

(3) Any reference in this Part to the disclosure of information shall have effect, in relation to any case where the person receiving the information is already aware of it, as a reference to bringing the information to his attention.]

PART VI N.I. PROTECTION FROM SUFFERING DETRIMENT ETC. IN EMPLOYMENT

CHAPTER I N.I. RIGHTS NOT TO SUFFER DETRIMENT

[F71 Jury service N.I.

67M.— (1) An employee has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer on the ground that the employee—

(a) has been summoned under the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order [F72 1996] (NI 6) or the Coroners (Northern Ireland) Act 1959 (c.15) to attend for service as a juror, or

(b) has been absent from work because he attended at any place in pursuance of being so summoned.

(2) This Article does not apply where the detriment in question amounts to dismissal within the meaning of Part XI.

(3) For the purposes of this Article, an employee is not to be regarded as having been subjected to a detriment by a failure to pay remuneration in respect of a relevant period unless under his contract of employment he is entitled to be paid that remuneration.

(4) In paragraph (3) “a relevant period” means any period during which the employee is absent from work because of his attendance at any place in pursuance of being summoned as mentioned in paragraph (1)(a).]

F71 2004 NI 19

F72 Word in art. 67M(1)(a) substituted (3.8.2010) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 12), ss. 7(1), 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 6(1)

Health and safety cases N.I.

68.—(1) An employee has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer done on the ground that—

(a) having been designated by the employer to carry out activities in connection with preventing or reducing risks to health and safety at work, the employee carried out (or proposed to carry out) any such activities,

(b) being a representative of workers on matters of health and safety at work or member of a safety committee—

(i) in accordance with arrangements established under or by virtue of any statutory provision, or

(ii) by reason of being acknowledged as such by the employer,

the employee performed (or proposed to perform) any functions as such a representative or a member of such a committee,

[F73 (ba) the employee took part (or proposed to take part) in consultation with the employer pursuant to the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 or in an election of representatives of employee safety within the meaning of those Regulations (whether as a candidate or otherwise),]

(c) being an employee at a place where—

(i) there was no such representative or safety committee, or

(ii) there was such a representative or safety committee but it was not reasonably practicable for the employee to raise the matter by those means,

he brought to his employer's attention, by reasonable means, circumstances connected with his work which he reasonably believed were harmful or potentially harmful to health or safety,

F74 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F75 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F76 (1A) A worker has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by the worker’s employer done on the ground that—

(a) in circumstances of danger which the worker reasonably believed to be serious and imminent and which the worker could not reasonably have been expected to avert, the worker left (or proposed to leave) or (while the danger persisted) refused to return to the worker’s place of work or any dangerous part of the worker’s place of work, or

(b) in circumstances of danger which the worker reasonably believed to be serious and imminent, the worker took (or proposed to take) appropriate steps to protect the worker or other persons from the danger.]

(2) For the purposes of paragraph [F77 (1A)(b)] whether steps which [F78 a worker] took (or proposed to take) were appropriate is to be judged by reference to all the circumstances including, in particular, his knowledge and the facilities and advice available to him at the time.

(3) [F79 A worker] is not to be regarded as having been subjected to any detriment on the ground specified in paragraph [F80 (1A)(b)] if the employer shows that it was (or would have been) so negligent for [F81 the worker] to take the steps which he took (or proposed to take) that a reasonable employer might have treated him as the employer did.

(4) F82 . . . this Article does not apply where the [F83 worker is an employee and the] detriment in question amounts to dismissal (within the meaning of[F82 Part XI]).

F73 SR 1996/511

F74 Art. 68(1)(d) omitted (31.5.2021) by virtue of The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 3(a) (with art. 7(3))

F75 Art. 68(1)(e) omitted (31.5.2021) by virtue of The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 3(a) (with art. 7(3))

F76 Art. 68(1A) inserted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 3(b) (with art. 7)

F77 Word in art. 68(2) substituted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 3(c)(i)

F78 Words in art. 68(2) substituted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 3(c)(ii)

F79 Words in art. 68(3) substituted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 3(d)(i)

F80 Word in art. 68(3) substituted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 3(d)(ii)

F81 Words in art. 68(3) substituted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 3(d)(iii)

F82 1999 NI 9

F83 Words in art. 68(4) inserted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 3(e)

[F84 Working time cases N.I.

68A.— (1) A worker has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer done on the ground that the worker-

(a) refused (or proposed to refuse) to comply with a requirement which the employer imposed (or proposed to impose) in contravention of [F85 the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016] ,

(b) refused (or proposed to refuse) to forgo a right conferred on him by those Regulations,

(c) failed to sign a workforce agreement for the purposes of those Regulations, or to enter into, or agree to vary or extend, any other agreement with his employer which is provided for in those Regulations,

(d) being—

(i) a representative of members of the workforce for the purposes of Schedule 1 to those Regulations, or

(ii) a candidate in an election in which any person elected will, on being elected, be such a representative,

performed (or proposed to perform) any functions or activities as such a representative or candidate,

(e) brought proceedings against the employer to enforce a right conferred on him by those Regulations, or

(f) alleged that the employer had infringed such a right.

(2) It is immaterial for the purposes of paragraph (1)(e) or (f)—

(a) whether or not the worker has the right, or

(b) whether or not the right has been infringed,

but, for those provisions to apply, the claim to the right and that it has been infringed must be made in good faith.

(3) It is sufficient for paragraph (1)(f) to apply that the worker, without specifying the right, made it reasonably clear to the employer what the right claimed to have been infringed was.

(4) This Article does not apply where a worker is an employee and the detriment in question amounts to dismissal within the meaning of Part XIF86 . . . .

[F87 (5) A reference in this Article to [F88 the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016] includes a reference to

(a)] the Merchant Shipping (Working Time: Inland Waterways) Regulations 2003.

[F89 (b) the Fishing Vessels (Working Time: Sea-fishermen) Regulations 2004 [F90 ; F91 ...

(c) the Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008[F92 ; and]

[F93 (d) the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations 2018.]]]]

F84 SR 1998/386

F85 Words in art. 68A(1)(a) substituted (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 53(3)(a)(i) (with reg. 22(1))

F86 1999 NI 9

F87 SI 2003/3049

F88 Words in art. 68A(5) substituted (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 53(3)(a)(ii) (with reg. 22(1))

F89 SI 2004/1713

F90 Art. 68A(5)(c) and preceding word inserted (1.10.2008) by Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/315), reg. 19, Sch. 3 para. 2(2)

F91 Word in art. 68A(5)(b) omitted (17.3.2014) by virtue of The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/308), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 3(2)(a)

F92 Word in art. 68A(5)(c) inserted (17.3.2014) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/308), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 3(2)(b)

F93 Art. 68A(5)(d) substituted (6.4.2018) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/58), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 3(a) (with regs. 3, 4)

Trustees of occupational pension schemes N.I.

69.—(1) An employee has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer done on the ground that, being a trustee of a relevant occupational pension scheme which relates to his employment, the employee performed (or proposed to perform) any functions as such a trustee.

(2) F94 . . . this Article does not apply where the detriment in question amounts to dismissal (within the meaning of[F94 Part XI]).

[F95 (2A) This Article applies to an employee who is a director of a company which is a trustee of a relevant occupational pension scheme as it applies to an employee who is a trustee of such a scheme (references to such a trustee being read for this purpose as references to such a director).]

(3) In this Article “relevant occupational pension scheme” means an occupational pension scheme (as defined in section 1 of the [1993 c. 49.] Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993) established under a trust.

F94 1999 NI 9

F95 1999 NI 11

Employee representatives N.I.

70.—(1) An employee has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer done on the ground that, being—

(a) an employee representative for the purposes of Part XIII of this Order or[F96 regulations 9, 13 and 15 of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006][F97 or regulations 9, 13 and 15 of the Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006], or

(b) a candidate in an election in which any person elected will, on being elected, be such an employee representative,

he performed (or proposed to perform) any functions or activities as such an employee representative or candidate.

[F98 (1A) An employee has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or by any deliberate failure to act, by his employer done on the ground of his participation in an election of employee representatives for the purposes of Part XIII of this Order or [F99 regulations 9, 13 and 15 of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006][F100 or regulations 9, 13 and 15 of the Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006] .]

(2) F101 . . . this Article does not apply where the detriment in question amounts to a dismissal (within the meaning of[F101 Part XI]).

F96 Words in art. 70(1)(a) substituted (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), reg. 20(3), Sch. 2 para. 11(a) (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

F97 Words in art. 70(1)(a) inserted (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 20(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(a)

F98 SR 1999/432

F99 Words in art. 70(1A) substituted (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), reg. 20(3), Sch. 2 para. 11(a) (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

F100 Words in art. 70(1A) inserted (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 20(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(a)

F101 1999 NI 9

[F102 Employees exercising right to time off work for study or training N.I.

70A.— (1) An employee has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer or the principal (within the meaning of Article 91A(3)) done on the ground that, being a person entitled to—

(a) time off under Article 91A(1) or (3), and

(b) remuneration under Article 91B(1) in respect of that time taken off,

the employee exercised (or proposed to exercise) that right or received (or sought to receive) such remuneration.

(2) F103 . . . this Article does not apply where the detriment in question amounts to dismissal (within the meaning of[F103 Part XI]).]

F102 1998 NI 15

F103 1999 NI 9

[F104 Protected disclosures N.I.

70B.— (1) A worker has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer done on the ground that the worker has made a protected disclosure.

[F105 (1A) A worker (“W”) has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, done—

(a) by another worker of W's employer in the course of that other worker's employment, or

(b) by an agent of W's employer with the employer's authority,

on the ground that W has made a protected disclosure.

(1B) Where a worker is subjected to detriment by anything done as mentioned in paragraph (1A), that thing is treated as also done by the worker's employer.

(1C) For the purposes of paragraph (1B), it is immaterial whether the thing is done with the knowledge or approval of the worker's employer.

(1D) In proceedings against W's employer in respect of anything alleged to have been done as mentioned in paragraph (1A)(a), it is a defence for the employer to show that the employer took all reasonable steps to prevent the other worker—

(a) from doing that thing, or

(b) from doing anything of that description.

(1E) A worker or agent of W's employer is not liable by reason of paragraph (1A) for doing something that subjects W to detriment if—

(a) the worker or agent does that thing in reliance on a statement by the employer that doing it does not contravene this Order, and

(b) it is reasonable for the worker or agent to rely on the statement.

But this does not prevent the employer from being liable by reason of paragraph (1B).]

(2) F106 . . . this Article does not apply where—

(a) the worker is an employee, and

(b) the detriment in question amounts to dismissal (within the meaning of[F106 Part XI]).

(3) For the purposes of this Article, and of Articles 71 and 72 so far as relating to this Article, “worker”, “worker's contract”, “employment” and “employer” have the extended meaning given by Article 67K.]

F104 1998 NI 17

F105 Arts. 70B(1A)-(1E) inserted (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 16(1), 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

F106 1999 NI 9

[F107 Leave for family and domestic reasons N.I.

70C.— (1) An employee has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer done for a prescribed reason.

(2) A prescribed reason is one which is prescribed by regulations made by the Department and which relates to—

(a) pregnancy, childbirth or maternity,

[F108 (aa) time off under Article 85ZE,]

[F109 (ab) time off under Article 85ZJ or 85ZL,]

(b) ordinary, compulsory or additional maternity leave,

[F110 (ba) ordinary or additional adoption leave,]

[F111 (bb) shared parental leave,]

(c) parental leave,

[F112 (ca) paternity leave,]

[F113 (cb) parental bereavement leave, or]

(d) time off under Article 85A.

(3) A reason prescribed under this Article in relation to parental leave may relate to action which an employee takes, agrees to take or refuses to take under or in respect of a collective or workforce agreement.

[F114 (4) An agency worker has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by the temporary work agency or the hirer done on the ground that—

(a) being a person entitled to the following time off or remuneration, the agency worker exercised (or proposed to exercise) that right or received (or sought to receive) that remuneration—

(i) time off under Article 85ZA, and

(ii) remuneration under Article 85ZB in respect of that time off,

(b) being a person entitled to time off under Article 85ZG, the agency worker exercised (or proposed to exercise) that right,

(c) being a person entitled to the following time off or remuneration, the agency worker exercised (or proposed to exercise) that right or received (or sought to receive) that remuneration—

(i) time off under Article 85ZN, and

(ii) remuneration under Article 85ZO in respect of that time off, or

(d) being a person entitled to time off under Article 85ZP, the agency worker exercised (or proposed to exercise) that right.

(5) Paragraph (4) does not apply where the agency worker is an employee.

(6) In this Article, the following have the same meaning as in the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (see regulations 2(2), 3 and 4 of the regulations)—

• “agency worker”,

• “hirer”,

• “temporary work agency”]]

F107 1999 NI 9

F108 Art. 70C(2)(aa) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 15(4), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(l)

F109 Art. 70C(2)(ab) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 17(4), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(n)

F110 2002 NI 2

F111 Art. 70C(2)(bb) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(5)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F112 Art. 70C(2)(ca) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(5)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F113 Art. 70C(2)(cb) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 18; S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

F114 Arts. 70C(4)-(6) added (15.3.2015 for specified purposes, 5.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 18(2), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, arts. 3(1)(o), 4(1)(f)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F115 N.I.

F115 prosp. in pt. inserted by 2002 c. 21 for the purpose of rights conferred on employees by virtue of regulations under s. 25

[F116 Flexible working N.I.

[F117 70E.]— (1) An employee has the right not to be subjected to any detriment by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer done on the ground that the employee—

(a) made (or proposed to make) an application under Article 112F,

(b) exercised (or proposed to exercise) a right conferred on him under Article 112G,

(c) brought proceedings against the employer under Article 112H, or

(d) alleged the existence of any circumstance which would constitute a ground for bringing such proceedings.

(2) This Article does not apply where the detriment in question amounts to dismissal within the meaning of Part XI.]

F116 2002 NI 2

F117 2003 NI 15

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

71.—(1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that he has been subjected to a detriment in contravention of Article [F118 67M,] [F119 68(1)], [F120 69, 70[F121 ,70A[F122 , [F123 70C(1)] or[F124 70E]]]].

[F125 (1YA) A worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that the worker has been subjected to a detriment in contravention of Article 68(1A).]

[F126 (1ZA) A worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that he has been subjected to a detriment in contravention of Article 68A.]

[F127 (1A) A worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that he has been subjected to a detriment in contravention of Article 70B.]

[F128 (1AA) An agency worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that the agency worker has been subjected to a detriment in contravention of Article 70C(4) by the temporary work agency or the hirer.]

[F129 (1B) A person may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that he has been subjected to a detriment in contravention of Article 70D.]

(2) [F127 On a complaint under [F130 paragraph (1), [F131 (1YA),] (1ZA), (1A) or (1B)]] it is for the employer to show the ground on which any act, or deliberate failure to act, was done.

[F132 (2A) On a complaint under paragraph (1AA) it is for the temporary work agency or (as the case may be) the hirer to show the ground on which any act, or deliberate failure to act, was done.]

(3) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date of the act or failure to act to which the complaint relates or, where that act or failure is part of a series of similar acts or failures, the last of them, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F133 (3A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (3)(a).]

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)—

(a) where an act extends over a period, the “date of the act” means the last day of that period, and

(b) a deliberate failure to act shall be treated as done when it was decided on;

and, in the absence of evidence establishing the contrary, an employer [F134 , a temporary work agency or a hirer] shall be taken to decide on a failure to act when he does an act inconsistent with doing the failed act or, if he has done no such inconsistent act, when the period expires within which he might reasonably have been expected to do the failed act if it was to be done.

[F120 (5) In this Article and Article 72 any reference to the employer [F135 includes—

(a) where] a person complains that he has been subjected to a dertiment in contravention of Article 70A, the principal (within the meaning of Article 91A(3)).

[F136 (b) in the case of proceedings against a worker or agent under Article 70B(1A), the worker or agent.]]

[F137 (6) In—

(a) this Article, “agency worker”, and

(b) this Article and Article 72, “hirer” and “temporary work agency”,

have the same meaning as in the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.]

F118 2004 NI 19

F119 Word in art. 71(1) substituted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 4(a)

F120 1998 NI 15

F121 1999 NI 9

F122 2002 NI 2

F123 Word in art. 71(1) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 18(3)(a), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(o)

F124 2003 NI 15

F125 Art. 71(1YA) inserted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 4(b)

F126 SR 1998/386

F127 1998 NI 17

F128 Art. 71(1AA) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 18(3)(b), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(o)

F129 Art. 71(1B) inserted (1.9.2002 for certain purposes, otherwise prosp.) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 27, 61, Sch. 1 para. 2(3); S.I. 2002/1727, art. 2

F130 Words in art. 71(2) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 18(3)(c), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(o)

F131 Word in art. 71(2) inserted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 4(c)

F132 Art. 71(2A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 18(3)(d), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(o)

F133 Art. 71(3A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 16; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

F134 Words in art. 71(4) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 18(3)(e), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(o)

F135 Words in art. 71(5) substituted (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 16(2)(a), 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

F136 Art. 71(5)(b) inserted (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 16(2)(b), 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

F137 Art. 71(6) added (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 18(3)(f), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(o)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C29 Art. 71 applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 para. 13(3) (with reg. 50)

C30 Art. 71(2)-(4) applied (6.4.2006) by Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/48), reg. 17, Sch. para. 8(2)

C31 Art. 71(2)-(14) applied (18.8.2006) by virtue of European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2059), regs. 2, 34(2), Sch. 3 para. 22

C32 Art. 71(2)-(4) applied (with modifications) (1.10.2009) by European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2402), reg. 32(2) (with reg. 39)

C33 Art. 71(2)-(4) applied (with modifications) (30.6.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 56, 118(1) (with s. 73); S.R. 2012/266, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. 2

Remedies N.I.

72.—(1) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under [F138 Article 71(1), [F139 (1YA),] (1ZA), (1A) or (1B)] well-founded, the tribunal—

(a) shall make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) may make an award of compensation to be paid by the employer to the complainant in respect of the act or failure to act to which the complaint relates.

[F140 (1A) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under Article 71(1AA) well-founded, the tribunal—

(a) shall make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) may make an award of compensation to be paid by the temporary work agency or (as the case may be) the hirer to the complainant in respect of the act or failure to act to which the complaint relates.]

(2) [F141 Subject to [F142 paragraphs [F143 (5ZA),] (5A) and (6)],] the amount of the compensation awarded shall be such as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard to—

(a) the infringement to which the complaint relates, and

(b) any loss which is attributable to the act, or failure to act, which infringed the complainant's right.

(3) The loss shall be taken to include—

(a) any expenses reasonably incurred by the complainant in consequence of the act, or failure to act, to which the complaint relates, and

(b) loss of any benefit which he might reasonably be expected to have had but for that act or failure to act.

(4) In ascertaining the loss the tribunal shall apply the same rule concerning the duty of a person to mitigate his loss as applies to damages recoverable under the common law of Northern Ireland.

(5) Where the tribunal finds that the act, or failure to act, to which the complaint relates was to any extent caused or contributed to by action of the complainant, it shall reduce the amount of the compensation by such proportion as it considers just and equitable having regard to that finding.

[F144 (5ZA) Where—

(a) the complaint is made under Article 71(1YA),

(b) the detriment to which the worker is subjected is the termination of the worker’s contract, and

(c) that contract is not a contract of employment,

any compensation must not exceed the compensation that would be payable under Chapter 2 of Part 11 if the worker had been an employee and had been dismissed for the reason specified in Article 132.]

[F142 (5A) Where—

(a) the complaint is made under Article 71(1ZA),

(b) the detriment to which the worker is subjected is the termination of his worker's contract, and

(c) that contract is not a contract of employment,

any compensation must not exceed the compensation that would be payable under Chapter II of Part XI if the worker had been an employee and had been dismissed for the reason specified in Article 132A.]

[F141 (6) Where—

(a) the complaint is made under Article 71(1A),

(b) the detriment to which the worker is subject is the termination of his worker's contract, and

(c) that contract is not a contract of employment,

any compensation must not exceed the compensation that would be payable under Chapter II of Part XI if the worker had been an employee and had been dismissed for the reason specified in Article 134A.]

[F145 (6A) Where—

(a) the complaint is made under Article 71(1A), and

(b) it appears to the tribunal that the protected disclosure was not made in good faith,

the tribunal may, if it considers it just and equitable in all the circumstances to do so, reduce any award it makes to the worker by no more than 25%.]

[F146 (7) Where—

(a) the complaint is made under Article 71(1B) by a person who is not an employee, and

(b) the detriment to which he is subjected is the termination of his contract with the person who is his employer for the purposes of section 25 of the Tax Credits Act 2002,

any compensation must not exceed the compensation that would be payable under Chapter 2 of Part 11 if the complainant had been an employee and had been dismissed for the reason specified in Article 135B.]

F138 Words in art. 72(1) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 18(4)(a), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(o)

F139 Word in art. 72(1) inserted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 5(a)

F140 Art. 72(1A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 18(4)(b), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(o)

F141 1998 NI 17

F142 SR 1998/386

F143 Word in art. 72(2) inserted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 5(b)

F144 Art. 72(5ZA) inserted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 5(c)

F145 Art. 72(6A) inserted (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 14(4), 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

F146 Art. 72(7) inserted (1.9.2002 for certain purposes, otherwise prosp.) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 27, 61, Sch. 1 para. 2(4); S.I. 2002/1727, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C34 Art. 72 applied (6.4.2006) by Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/48), reg. 17, Sch. para. 8(2)

C35 Art. 72 applied (with modifications) (30.6.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 56, 118(1) (with s. 73); S.R. 2012/266, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. 2

C36 Art. 72(1)-(5) applied (18.8.2006) by European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2059), regs. 2, 34(3), Sch. 3 para. 22

C37 Art. 72(1)-(5) applied (15.12.2007) by Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2974), regs. 22(3), 51(2), Sch. 2 paras. 10, 20

C38 Art. 72(1)-(5) applied (1.10.2009) by European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2402), reg. 32(3) (with reg. 39)

[F147 Application to police of Article 68 and related provisions N.I.

72A.— (1) For the purposes of Article 68, and of Articles 71 and 72 so far as relating to that Article, the holding, otherwise than under a contract of employment, of the office of constable -shall be treated as employment by the relevant officer under a contract of employment.

[F148 (2) In this Article “the relevant officer”, in relation to a person holding the office of constable, means the person who under Article 47A of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 is to be treated as his employer for the purposes of Part II of that Order.]]

F147 1997 NI 16

F148 Art. 72A(2) substituted (25.7.2006 with effect as mentioned in s. 27(4) of the amending Act) by Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 33), ss. 27(2)(a)(3), 31(1)(f) (with s. 27(5))

CHAPTER II N.I. [F149 DETRIMENT]

F149 2004 NI 19

[F150 Detriment] on grounds related to union membership or activities N.I.

73.—(1)  [F150 A worker] has the right not to[F151 be subjected to any detriment as an individual by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer if the act or failure takes place] for[F150 the sole or main purpose] of—

(a) preventing or deterring him from being or seeking to become a member of an independent trade union, or penalising him for doing so.

(b) preventing or deterring him from taking part in the activities of an independent trade union at an appropriate time, or penalising him for doing so,F150 . . .

[F150 (ba) preventing or deterring him from making use of trade union services at an appropriate time, or penalising him for doing so, or]

(c) compelling him to be or become a member of any trade union or of a particular trade union or of one of a number of particular trade unions.

(2) In paragraph[F150 (1)] “an appropriate time” means—

(a) a time outside the[F150 worker's] working hours, or

(b) a time within his working hours at which, in accordance with arrangements agreed with or consent given by his employer, it is permissible for him to take part in the activities of a trade union[F150 or (as the case may be) make use of trade union services];

and for this purpose “working hours”, in relation to[F150 a worker], means any time when, in accordance with his contract of employment[F150 (or other contract personally to do work or perform services)], he is required to be at work.

[F150 (2A) In this Article—

(a) “trade union services” means services made available to the worker by an independent trade union by virtue of his membership of the union, and

(b) references to a worker's “making use” of trade union services include his consenting to the raising of a matter on his behalf by an independent trade union of which he is a member.

(2B) If an independent trade union of which a worker is a member raises a matter on his behalf (with or without his consent), penalising the worker for that is to be treated as penalising him as mentioned in paragraph (1)(ba).

(2C) A worker also has the right not to be subjected to any detriment as an individual by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer if the act or failure takes place because of the worker's failure to accept an offer made in contravention of Article 77A or 77B.

(2D) For the purposes of paragraph (2C), not conferring a benefit that, if the offer had been accepted by the worker, would have been conferred on him under the resulting agreement shall be taken to be subjecting him to a detriment as an individual (and to be a deliberate failure to act).]

(3) [F150 A worker] also has the right not to[F151 be subjected to any detriment as an individual by any act, or any deliberate failure to act, by his employer if the act or failure takes place] for[F150 the sole or main purpose] of enforcing a requirement (whether or not imposed by[F150 a contract of employment] or in writing) that, in the event of his not being a member of any trade union or of a particular trade union or of one of a number of particular trade unions, he must make one or more payments.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3) any deduction made by an employer from the remuneration payable to[F150 a worker] in respect of his employment shall, if it is attributable to his not being a member of any trade union or of a particular trade union or of one of a number of particular trade unions, be treated as[F151 a detriment to which he has been subjected as an individual by an act of his employer taking place] for[F150 the sole or main purpose] of enforcing a requirement of a kind mentioned in that paragraph.

(5) References in this Chapter to being or becoming a member of a trade union include references to being or becoming a member of a particular branch or section of that union and to being or becoming a member of one of a number of particular branches or sections of that unionF150 . . . .

[F150 (5A) References in this Chapter—

(a) to taking part in the activities of a trade union, and

(b) to services made available by a trade union by virtue of membership of the union,

shall be construed in accordance with paragraph (5).]

[F150 (6) This Article does not apply where—

(a) the worker is an employee; and

(b) the detriment in question amounts to dismissal.

(7) In this Chapter—

• “worker” means an individual who works, or normally works as mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of the definition of “worker” in Article 2(2) of the 1995 Order; and

• “employer” means—

  (a)

  in relation to a worker, the person for whom he works;

  (b)

  in relation to a former worker, the person for whom he worked.]

F150 2004 NI 19

F151 1999 NI 9

Complaints to industrial tribunal N.I.

74.—(1)  [F152 A worker or former worker] may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal on the ground that[F153 he has been subjected to a detriment] by his employer in contravention of Article 73.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date of the[F153 act or failure to which the complaint relates or, where that act or failure is part of a series of similar acts or failures (or both) the last of them], or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F154 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

[F153 (3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)—

(a) where an act extends over a period, the reference to the date of the act is a reference to the last day of that period;

(b) a failure to act shall be treated as done when it was decided on.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), in the absence of evidence establishing the contrary an employer shall be taken to decide on a failure to act—

(a) when he does an act inconsistent with doing the failed act; or

(b) if he has done no such inconsistent act, when the period expires within which he might reasonably have been expected to do the failed act if it was to be done.]

F152 2004 NI 19

F153 1999 NI 9

F154 Art. 74(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 17; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Consideration of complaint N.I.

75.—(1) On a complaint under Article 74 it shall be for the employer to show [F155 what was the sole or main purpose] for which[F156 he acted or failed to act].

(2) In determining any question whether[F156 the employer acted or failed to act, or the purpose for which he did so], no account shall be taken of any pressure which was exercised on him by calling, organising, procuring or financing a strike or other industrial action, or by threatening to do so; and that question shall be determined as if no such pressure had been exercised.

Paras. (3)-(5) rep. by 2004 NI 19

F155 2004 NI 19

F156 1999 NI 9

Remedies N.I.

76.—(1) Where the industrial tribunal finds that a complaint under Article 74 is well-founded, the tribunal—

(a) shall make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) may make an award of compensation to be paid by the employer to the complainant in respect of the[F157 act of failure] complained of.

(2) The amount of the compensation awarded shall be such as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard to—

(a) the infringement complained of; and

(b) any loss sustained by the complainant which is attributable to the[F157 act or failure] which infringed his right.

(3) The loss shall be taken to include—

(a) any expenses reasonably incurred by the complainant in consequence of the[F157 act or failure] complained of, and

(b) loss of any benefit which he might reasonably be expected to have had but for that[F157 act or failure].

(4) In ascertaining the loss, the tribunal shall apply the same rule concerning the duty of a person to mitigate his loss as applies to damages recoverable under the common law of Northern Ireland.

(5) In determining the amount of compensation to be awarded no account shall be taken of any pressure which was exercised on the employer by calling, organising, procuring or financing a strike or other industrial action, or by threatening to do so; and that question shall be determined as if no such pressure had been exercised.

(6) Where the tribunal finds that the[F157 act or failure] complained of was to any extent caused or contributed to by action of the complainant, it shall reduce the amount of the compensation by such proportion as it considers just and equitable having regard to that finding.

F157 1999 NI 9

Awards against third parties N.I.

77.—(1) If in proceedings on a complaint under Article 74—

(a) the complaint is made on the ground that[F158 the complainant has been subjected to detriment by an act or failure by his employer taking place] for[F159 the sole or main purpose] of compelling him to be or become a member of any trade union or of a particular trade union or of one of a number of particular trade unions, and

(b) either the complainant or the employer claims in proceedings before the tribunal that the employer was induced to[F158 act or fail to act in the way] complained of by pressure which a trade union or other person exercised on him by calling, organising, procuring or financing a strike or other industrial action, or by threatening to do so,

the complainant or the employer may request the tribunal to direct that the person who he claims exercised the pressure be joined as a party to the proceedings.

(2) The request shall be granted if it is made before the hearing of the complaint begins, but may be refused if it is made after that time; and no such request may be made after the tribunal has made a declaration that the complaint is well-founded.

(3) Where a person has been so joined as a party to proceedings and the tribunal—

(a) makes an award of compensation, and

(b) finds that the claim mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) is well-founded,

it may order that the compensation shall be paid by the person joined instead of by the employer, or partly by that person and partly by the employer, as the tribunal may consider just and equitable in the circumstances.

F158 1999 NI 9

F159 2004 NI 19

[F160 CHAPTER III N.I. INDUCEMENTS

F160 2004 NI 19

Inducements relating to union membership or activities N.I.

77A.— (1) A worker has the right not to have an offer made to him by his employer for the sole or main purpose of inducing the worker—

(a) not to be or seek to become a member of an independent trade union,

(b) not to take part, at an appropriate time, in the activities of an independent trade union,

(c) not to make use, at an appropriate time, of trade union services, or

(d) to be or become a member of any trade union or of a particular trade union or of one of a number of particular trade unions.

(2) In paragraph (1) “an appropriate time” means—

(a) a time outside the worker's working hours, or

(b) a time within his working hours at which, in accordance with arrangements agreed with or consent given by his employer, it is permissible for him to take part in the activities of a trade union or (as the case may be) make use of trade union services.

(3) In paragraph (2) “working hours”, in relation to a worker, means any time when, in accordance with his contract of employment (or other contract personally to do work or perform services), he is required to be at work.

(4) In paragraphs (1) and (2)—

(a) “trade union services” means services made available to the worker by an independent trade union by virtue of his membership of the union, and

(b) references to a worker's “making use” of trade union services include his consenting to the raising of a matter on his behalf by an independent trade union of which he is a member.

(5) A worker or former worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal on the ground that his employer has made him an offer in contravention of this Article.

Inducements relating to collective bargaining N.I.

77B.— (1) A worker who is a member of an independent trade union which is recognised, or seeking to be recognised, by his employer has the right not to have an offer made to him by his employer if—

(a) acceptance of the offer, together with other workers' acceptance of offers which the employer also makes to them, would have the prohibited result, and

(b) the employer's sole or main purpose in making the offers is to achieve that result.

(2) The prohibited result is that the workers' terms of employment, or any of those terms, will not (or will no longer) be determined by collective agreement negotiated by or on behalf of the union.

(3) It is immaterial for the purposes of paragraph (1) whether the offers are made to the workers simultaneously.

(4) Having terms of employment determined by collective agreement shall not be regarded for the purposes of Article 77A (or Article 73 or 136) as making use of a trade union service.

(5) A worker of former worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal on the ground that his employer has made him an offer in contravention of this Article.

Time limit for proceedings N.I.

77C.— [F161 (1)]  An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under Article 77A or 77B unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date when the offer was made or, where the offer is part of a series of similar offers to the complainant, the date when the last of them was made, or

(b) where the tribunal is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period, within such further period as it considers reasonable.

[F162 (2) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a).]

F161 Art. 77C(1): art. 77 renumbered as art. 77C(1) (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 18(2); S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

F162 Art. 77C(2) added (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 18(3); S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Consideration of complaint N.I.

77D.— (1) On a complaint under Article 77A it shall be for the employer to show what was his sole or main purpose in making the offer.

(2) On a complaint under Article 77B it shall be for the employer to show what was his sole or main purpose in making the offers.

(3) On a complaint under Article 77A or 77B, in determining any question whether the employer made the offer (or offers) or the purpose for which he did so, no account shall be taken of any pressure which was exercised on him by calling, organising, procuring or financing a strike or other industrial action, or by threatening to do so; and that question shall be determined as if no such pressure had been exercised.

(4) In determining whether an employer's sole or main purpose in making offers was the purpose mentioned in Article 77B(1), the matters taken into account must include any evidence—

(a) that when the offers were made the employer had recently changed or sought to change, or did not wish to use, arrangements agreed with the union for collective bargaining,

(b) that when the offers were made the employer did not wish to enter into arrangements proposed by the union for collective bargaining, or

(c) that the offers were made only to particular workers, and were made with the sole or main purpose of rewarding those particular workers for their high level of performance or of retaining them because of their special value to the employer.

Remedies N.I.

77E.— (1) Paragraphs (2) and (3) apply where the industrial tribunal finds that a complaint under Article 77A or 77B is well‐founded.

(2) The tribunal—

(a) shall make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) shall make an award to be paid by the employer to the complainant in respect of the offer complained of.

(3) The amount of the award shall be [F163 £5,382] (subject to any adjustment of the award that may fall to be made under Part IV of the Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003).

(4) Where an offer made in contravention of Article 77A or 77B is accepted—

(a) if the acceptance results in the worker's agreeing to vary his terms of employment, the employer cannot enforce the agreement to vary, or recover any sum paid or other asset transferred by him under the agreement to vary;

(b) if as a result of the acceptance the worker's terms of employment are varied, nothing in Article 77A or 77B makes the variation unenforceable by either party.

(5) Nothing in this Article or Articles 77A and 77B prejudices any right conferred by Article 73 or 76.

(6) In ascertaining any amount of compensation under Article 76, no reduction shall be made on the ground—

(a) that the complainant caused or contributed to his loss, or to the act or failure complained of, by accepting or not accepting an offer made in contravention of Article 77A or 77B, or

(b) that the complainant has received or is entitled to an award under this Article.

F163 Sum in art. 77E(3) substituted (6.4.2023) by The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/36), art. 1(1), Sch.

Interpretation and other supplementary provisions N.I.

77F.— (1) References in Articles 77A to 77E to being or becoming a member of a trade union include references—

(a) to being or becoming a member of a particular branch or section of that union, and

(b) to being or becoming a member of one of a number of particular branches or sections of that union.

(2) References in those Articles—

(a) to taking part in the activities of a trade union, and

(b) to services made available by a trade union by virtue of membership of the union,

shall be construed in accordance with paragraph (1).

(3) In Articles 77A to 77E—

• “worker” means an individual who works, or normally works as mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of the definition of “worker” in Article 2(2) of the 1995 Order; and

• “employer” means—

  (a)

  in relation to a worker, the person for whom he works;

  (b)

  in relation to a former worker, the person for whom he worked.]

PART VII N.I. TIME OFF WORK

Public duties N.I.

Right to time off for public duties N.I.

78.—(1) An employer shall permit an employee of his who is a justice of the peace to take time off during the employee's working hours for the purpose of performing any of the duties of his office.

(2) An employer shall permit an employee of his who is a member of—

(a) a district council,

[F164 (aa) the Northern Ireland Library Authority;]

(b) a statutory tribunal,

[F165 (c) an independent monitoring board appointed under section 10 of the Prison Act (Northern Ireland) 1953;]

(d) a relevant health body,F166 . . .

(e) a relevant education body,[F166 or

[F167 (f) a policing and community safety partnership or a district policing and community partnership,]]

to take time off during the employee's working hours for the purposes specified in paragraph (3).

(3) The purposes referred to in paragraph (2) are—

(a) attendance at a meeting of the body or any of its committees or sub-committees, and

(b) the doing of any other thing approved by the body, or anything of a class so approved, for the purpose of the discharge of the functions of the body or of any of its committees or sub-committees.

(4) The amount of time off which an employee is to be permitted to take under this Article, and the occasions on which and any conditions subject to which time off may be so taken, are those that are reasonable in all the circumstances having regard, in particular,

(a) how much time off is required for the performance of the duties of the office or as a member of the body in question, and how much time off is required for the performance of the particular duty,

(b) how much time off the employee has already been permitted under this Article or Article 92 or 94, and

(c) the circumstances of the employer's business and the effect of the employee's absence on the running of that business.

Para. (5) rep. by 2005 NI 15

(6) In paragraph (2)(d) “a relevant health body” means—

F168 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) a [F169 Health and Social Care Trust].

(7) In paragraph (2)(e) “a relevant education body” means—

[F170 (a) the Education Authority;]

(b) the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools;

(c) the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment,

[F171 (cc) the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland;]

(d) the Board of Governors of a grant-aided school,

(e) the governing body of an institution of further education, or

(f) the managers of a college of education.

F172 (7A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) The Department may by order—

(a) modify the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) and (5) to (7) by adding any office or body, removing any office or body or altering the description of any office or body, or

(b) modify the provisions of paragraph (3).

(9) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an employee shall be taken to be any time when, in accordance with his contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

F164 Art. 78(2)(aa) inserted (1.10.2008) by Libraries Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 8), ss. 10(1), 12(2), Sch. 3 para. 5; S.R. 2008/396, art. 2(f)(h)

F165 2005 NI 15

F166 SR 2003/381

F167 Art. 78(2)(f) substituted (1.4.2012) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), s. 111(3), Sch. 7 para. 6; S.R. 2012/142, art. 2(d)

F168 Art. 78(6)(a) omitted (1.4.2022) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 169(4); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)

F169 Words in Order substituted (1.4.2009) by virtue of Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 (c. 1), ss. 32, 34(3), Sch. 6 para. 1(1)(c) (with Sch. 6 para. 1(3)); S.R. 2009/114, art. 2

F170 Art. 78(7)(a) substituted (1.4.2015) by Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 12), s. 7(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 16 (with Sch. 2 para. 4(3)); S.R. 2015/35, art. 2(b)

F171 1998 NI 13

F172 Art. 78(7A) repealed (1.4.2012) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), s. 111(3), Sch. 8 Pt. 2; S.R. 2012/142, art. 2(e)

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

79.—(1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his employer has failed to permit him to take time off as required by Article 78.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article that an employer has failed to permit an employee to take time off unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date on which the failure occurred, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F173 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under this Article well-founded, the tribunal—

(a) shall make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) may make an award of compensation to be paid by the employer to the employee.

(4) The amount of the compensation shall be such as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard

(a) the employer's default in failing to permit time off to be taken by the employee, and

(b) any loss sustained by the employee which is attributable to the matters to which the complaint relates.

F173 Art. 79(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 19; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Looking for work and making arrangements for training N.I.

Right to time off to look for work or arrange training N.I.

80.—(1) An employee who is given notice of dismissal by reason of redundancy is entitled to be permitted by his employer to take reasonable time off during the employee's working hours before the end of his notice in order to—

(a) look for new employment, or

(b) make arrangements for training for future employment.

(2) An employee is not entitled to take time off under this Article unless, on whichever is the later of—

(a) the date on which the notice is due to expire, and

(b) the date on which it would expire were it the notice required to T be given by Article 118(1),

he will have been (or would have been) continuously employed for a period of two years or more.

(3) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an employee shall be taken to be any time when, in accordance with his contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

Right to remuneration for time off under Article 80 N.I.

81.—(1) An employee who is permitted to take time off under Article 80 is entitled to be paid remuneration by his employer for the period of absence at the appropriate hourly rate.

(2) The appropriate hourly rate, in relation to an employee, is the amount of one week's pay divided by the number of normal working hours in a week for that employee when employed under the contract of employment in force on the day when the notice of dismissal was given.

(3) But where the number of normal working hours differs from week to week or over a longer period, the amount of one week's pay shall be divided instead by the average number of normal working hours calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of the employee's normal working hours during the period of twelve weeks ending with the last complete week before the day on which the notice was given.

(4) If an employer unreasonably refuses to permit an employee to take time off from work as required by Article 80, the employee is entitled to be paid an amount equal to the remuneration to which he would have been entitled under paragraph (1) if he had been permitted to take the time off.

(5) The amount of an employer's liability to pay remuneration under paragraph (1) shall not exceed, in respect of the notice period of any employee, forty per cent. of a week's pay of that employee.

(6) A right to any amount under paragraph (1) or (4) does not affect any right of an employee in relation to remuneration under his contract of employment (( “contractual remuneration”).

(7) Any contractual remuneration paid to an employee in respect of a period of time off under Article 80 goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of that period; and, conversely, any payment of remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of a period goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

82.—(1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his employer—

(a) has unreasonably refused to permit him to take time off as required by Article 80, or

(b) has failed to pay the whole or any part of any amount to which the employee is entitled under Article 81(1) or (4).

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date on which it is alleged that the time off should have been permitted, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F174 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under this Article well-founded, the tribunal shall—

(a) make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) order the employer to pay to the employee the amount which it finds due to him.

(4) The amount which may be ordered by a tribunal to be paid by an employer under paragraph (3) (or, where the employer is liable to pay remuneration under Article 81, the aggregate of that amount and the amount of that liability) shall not exceed, in respect of the notice period of any employee, forty per cent. of a week's pay of that employee.

F174 Art. 82(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 20; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Ante-natal care N.I.

Right to time off for ante-natal care N.I.

83.—(1) An employee who—

(a) is pregnant, and

(b) has, on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, registered midwife or registered health visitor, made an appointment to attend at any place for the purpose of receiving ante-natal care,

is entitled to be permitted by her employer to take time off during the employee's working hours in order to enable her to keep the appointment.

(2) An employee is not entitled to take time off under this Article to keep an appointment unless, if her employer requests her to do so, she produces for his inspection—

(a) a certificate from a registered medical practitioner, registered midwife or registered health visitor stating that the employee is pregnant, and

(b) an appointment card or some other document showing that the appointment has been made.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply where the employee's appointment is the first appointment during her pregnancy for which she seeks permission to take time off in accordance with paragraph (1).

(4) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an employee shall be taken to be any time when, in accordance with her contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

Right to remuneration for time off under Article 83 N.I.

84.—(1) An employee who is permitted to Article 83 is entitled to be paid remuneration by period of absence at the appropriate hourly rate. take time off under her employer for the

(2) The appropriate hourly rate, in relation to an employee, is the amount of one week's pay divided by the number of normal working hours in a week for that employee when employed under the contract of employment in force on the day when the time off is taken.

(3) But where the number of normal working hours differs from week to week or over a longer period, the amount of one week's pay shall be divided instead by—

(a) the average number of normal working hours calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of the employee's normal working hours during the period of twelve weeks ending with the last complete week before the day on which the time off is taken, or

(b) where the employee has not been employed for a sufficient period to enable the calculation to be made under sub-paragraph (a), a number which fairly represents the number of normal working hours in a week having regard to such of the considerations specified in paragraph (4) as are appropriate in the circumstances.

(4) The considerations referred to in paragraph (3)(b) are—

(a) the average number of normal working hours in a week which the employee could expect in accordance with the terms of her contract, and

(b) the average number of normal working hours of other employees engaged in relevant comparable employment with the same employer.

(5) A right to any amount under paragraph (1) does not affect any right of an employee in relation to remuneration under her contract of employment ( “contractual remuneration”).

(6) Any contractual remuneration paid to an employee in respect of a period of time off under Article 83 goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of that period; and, conversely, any payment of remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of a period goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

85.—(1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that her employer—

(a) has unreasonably refused to permit her to take time off as required by Article 83, or

(b) has failed to pay the whole or any part of any amount to which the employee is entitled under Article 84.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date of the appointment concerned, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F175 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under this Article well-founded, the tribunal shall make a declaration to that effect.

(4) If the complaint is that the employer has unreasonably refused to permit the employee to take time off, the tribunal shall also order the employer to pay to the employee [F176 an amount that is twice the amount of] the remuneration to which she would have been entitled under Article 84 if the employer had not refused.

(5) If the complaint is that the employer has failed to pay the employee the whole or part of any amount to which she is entitled under Article 84, the tribunal shall also order the employer to pay to the employee the amount which it finds due to her.

F175 Art. 85(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 21; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

F176 Words in art. 85(4) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 16(2), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(m) (with art. 6(2))

[F177 Ante-natal care: agency workers N.I.

F177 Arts. 85ZA-85ZD and preceding cross-heading inserted (5.12.2011) by Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), Sch. 2 para. 10

Right to time off for ante-natal care (agency workers) N.I.

85ZA.— (1)  An agency worker who—

(a) is pregnant, and

(b) has, on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, registered midwife or registered health visitor, made an appointment to attend at any place for the purpose of receiving ante-natal care,

is entitled to be permitted, by the temporary work agency and the hirer, to take time off during the agency worker's working hours in order to enable her to keep the appointment.

(2) An agency worker is not entitled to be permitted by either of those persons to take time off under this Article to keep an appointment unless, if that person requests her to do so, she produces for that person's inspection—

(a) a certificate from a registered medical practitioner, registered midwife or registered health visitor stating that the agency worker is pregnant, and

(b) an appointment card or some other document showing that the appointment has been made.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply where the agency worker's appointment is the first appointment during her pregnancy for which she seeks permission to take time off in accordance with paragraph (1).

(4) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an agency worker shall be taken to be any time when, in accordance with the terms under which the agency worker works temporarily for and under the supervision and direction of the hirer, the agency worker is required to be at work.

(5) In this Article references to a registered health visitor have the same meaning as in Article 83(1)(b).

Right to remuneration for time off under Article 85ZA N.I.

85ZB.— (1) An agency worker who is permitted to take time off under Article 85ZA is entitled to be paid remuneration by the temporary work agency for the period of absence at the appropriate hourly rate.

(2) The appropriate hourly rate, in relation to an agency worker, is the amount of one week's pay divided by the number of normal working hours in a week for that agency worker in accordance with the terms under which the agency worker works temporarily for and under the supervision and direction of the hirer that are in force on the day when the time off is taken.

(3) But where the number of normal working hours during the assignment differs from week to week or over a longer period, the amount of one week's pay shall be divided instead by the average number of normal working hours calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of the agency worker's normal working hours during the period of twelve weeks ending with the last complete week before the day on which the time off is taken.

(4) A right to any amount under paragraph (1) does not affect any right of an agency worker in relation to remuneration under her contract with the temporary work agency (““contractual remuneration””).

(5) Any contractual remuneration paid to an agency worker in respect of a period of time off under Article 85ZA goes towards discharging any liability of the temporary work agency to pay remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of that period; and, conversely, any payment of remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of a period goes towards discharging any liability of the temporary work agency to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

Complaints to industrial tribunals: agency workers N.I.

85ZC.— (1) An agency worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that the temporary work agency—

(a) has unreasonably refused to permit her to take time off as required by Article 85ZA, or

(b) has failed to pay the whole or any part of any amount to which she is entitled under Article 85ZB.

(2) An agency worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that the hirer has unreasonably refused to permit her to take time off as required by Article 85ZA.

(3) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under paragraph (1) or (2) unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date of the appointment concerned, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F178 (3A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (3).]

(4) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under this Article well-founded, the tribunal shall make a declaration to that effect.

(5)  If the complaint is that the temporary work agency or hirer has unreasonably refused to permit the agency worker to take time off, the tribunal shall also order payment to the agency worker of [F179 an amount that is twice the amount of] the remuneration to which she would have been entitled under Article 85ZB if she had not been refused the time off.

(6) Where the tribunal orders payment under paragraph (5), the amount payable by each party shall be such as may be found by the tribunal to be just and equitable having regard to the extent of each respondent's responsibility for the infringement to which the complaint relates.

(7) If the complaint is that the temporary work agency has failed to pay the agency worker the whole or part of any amount to which she is entitled under Article 85ZB, the tribunal shall also order the temporary work agency to pay to the agency worker the amount which it finds due to her.

F178 Art. 85ZC(3A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 22; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

F179 Words in art. 85ZC(5) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 16(3), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(m) (with art. 6(2))

Agency workers: supplementary N.I.

85ZD.— (1) Without prejudice to any other duties of the hirer or temporary work agency under any statutory provision or rule of law Articles 85ZA to 85ZC do not apply where the agency worker—

(a) has not completed the qualifying period, or

(b) is no longer entitled to the rights conferred by regulation 5 of the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 pursuant to regulation 8(a) or (b) of those Regulations.

(2)  Nothing in those Articles imposes a duty on the hirer or temporary work agency beyond the original intended duration, or likely duration of the assignment, whichever is the longer.

(3) Those Articles do not apply where Articles 85 to 87 apply.

(4) In this Article and Articles 85ZA to 85ZC the following have the same meaning as in the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011—

• ““agency worker””;

• ““assignment””;

• ““hirer””;

• ““qualifying period””;

• ““temporary work agency””.]

[F180 Accompanying to ante-natal appointments N.I.

F180 Arts. 85ZE-85ZI and cross-headings inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 15(2), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(l)

Right to time off to accompany to ante-natal appointments N.I.

85ZE— (1) An employee who has a qualifying relationship with a pregnant woman or her expected child is entitled to be permitted by his or her employer to take time off during the employee's working hours in order that he or she may accompany the woman when she attends by appointment at any place for the purpose of receiving ante-natal care.

(2) In relation to any particular pregnancy, an employee is not entitled to take time off for the purpose specified in paragraph (1) on more than two occasions.

(3) On each of those occasions, the maximum time off during working hours to which the employee is entitled is six and a half hours.

(4) An employee is not entitled to take time off for the purpose specified in paragraph (1) unless the appointment is made on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, registered midwife or registered health visitor.

(5) Where the employer requests the employee to give the employer a declaration signed by the employee, the employee is not entitled to take time off for the purpose specified in paragraph (1) unless the employee gives that declaration (which may be given in electronic form).

(6) The employee must state in the declaration—

(a) that the employee has a qualifying relationship with a pregnant woman or her expected child,

(b) that the employee's purpose in taking time off is the purpose specified in paragraph (1),

(c) that the appointment in question is made on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, registered midwife or registered health visitor, and

(d) the date and time of the appointment.

(7) A person has a qualifying relationship with a pregnant woman or her expected child if—

(a) the person is the [F181 spouse] or civil partner of the pregnant woman,

(b) the person, being of a different sex or the same sex, lives with the woman in an enduring family relationship but is not a relative of the woman,

(c) the person is the father of the expected child,

(d) the person is a parent of the expected child by virtue of section 42 or 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, F182 ...

(e) the person is a potential applicant for a parental order under section 54 of that Act in respect of the expected child,[F183 or

(f) the person is a potential applicant for a parental order under section 54A of that Act in respect of the expected child.]

(8) For the purposes of paragraph (7), a relative of a person is the person's parent, grandparent, sister, brother, aunt or uncle.

(9) The references to relationships in paragraph (8)—

(a) are to relationships of the full blood or half blood or, in the case of an adopted person, such of those relationships as would exist but for the adoption, and

(b) include the relationship of a child with the child's adoptive, or former adoptive, parents,

but do not include any other adoptive relationships.

(10) For the purposes of paragraph (7)(e), a person (“A”) is a potential applicant for a parental order under section 54 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 in respect of an expected child only if—

(a) A intends to apply, jointly with another person (“B”), for such an order in respect of the expected child within the time allowed by subsection (3) of that section,

(b) the expected child is being carried by the pregnant woman as a result of such procedure as is described in subsection (1)(a) of that section,

(c) the requirement in subsection (1)(b) of that section is satisfied by reference to A or B,

(d) A and B would satisfy subsection (2) of that section if they made an application under that section at the time that A seeks to exercise the right under this Article, and

(e) A expects that A and B will satisfy the conditions in subsections (2), (4), (5) and (8) of that section as regards the intended application.

[F184 (10A) For the purposes of paragraph (7)(f) a person is a potential applicant for a parental order under section 54A of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 in respect of an expected child only if—

(a) the person intends to apply for such an order in respect of the expected child within the time allowed by subsection (2) of that section,

(b) the expected child is being carried by the pregnant woman as a result of such procedure as is described in subsection (1)(a) of that section,

(c) the requirement in subsection (1)(b) of that section is satisfied by reference to the person, and

(d) the person expects that he or she will satisfy the conditions in subsections (3), (4) and (7) of that section as regards the intended application.]

(11) For the purposes of this Article, the working hours of an employee are to be taken to be any time when, in accordance with the employee's contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

F181 Word in art. 85ZE(7)(a) substituted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 143(a) (with regs. 6-9)

F182 Word in art. 85ZE(7) omitted (3.1.2019) by virtue of The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(3)

F183 Art. 85ZE(7)(f) and word inserted (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(4)

F184 Art. 85ZE(10A) inserted (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(5)

Complaint to industrial tribunal N.I.

85ZF— (1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his or her employer has unreasonably refused to let him or her take time off as required by Article 85ZE.

(2) An industrial tribunal may not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day of the appointment in question, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F185 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under paragraph (1) well-founded, it—

(a) must make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) must order the employer to pay to the employee an amount determined in accordance with paragraph (4).

(4) The amount payable to the employee is—

where—

a

A is the appropriate hourly rate for the employee, and

b

B is the number of working hours for which the employee would have been entitled under Article 85ZE to be absent if the time off had not been refused.

(5) The appropriate hourly rate, in relation to an employee, is the amount of one week's pay divided by the number of normal working hours in a week for that employee when employed under the contract of employment in force on the day when the time off would have been taken.

(6) But where the number of normal working hours differs from week to week or over a longer period, the amount of one week's pay is to be divided instead by—

(a) the average number of normal working hours, calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of the employee's normal working hours during the period of twelve weeks ending with the last complete week before the day on which the time off would have been taken, or

(b) where the employee has not been employed for a sufficient period to enable the calculation to be made under sub-paragraph (a), a number which fairly represents the number of normal working hours in a week having regard to such of the considerations specified in paragraph (7) as are appropriate in the circumstances.

(7) The considerations referred to in paragraph (6)(b) are—

(a) the average number of normal working hours in a week which the employee could expect in accordance with the terms of the employee's contract, and

(b) the average number of normal working hours of other employees engaged in relevant comparable employment with the same employer.

F185 Art. 85ZF(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 23; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Accompanying to ante-natal appointments: agency workers N.I.

Right to time off to accompany to ante-natal appointments: agency workers N.I.

85ZG— (1) An agency worker who has a qualifying relationship with a pregnant woman or her expected child is entitled to be permitted, by the temporary work agency and the hirer, to take time off during the agency worker's working hours in order that he or she may accompany the woman when she attends by appointment at any place for the purpose of receiving ante-natal care.when she attends by appointment at any place for the purpose of receiving ante-natal care.

(2) In relation to any particular pregnancy, an agency worker is not entitled to take time off for the purpose specified in paragraph (1) on more than two occasions.

(3) On each of those occasions, the maximum time off during working hours to which the agency worker is entitled is six and a half hours.

(4) An agency worker is not entitled to take time off for the purpose specified in paragraph (1) unless the appointment is made on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, registered midwife or registered health visitor.

(5) Where the temporary work agency or the hirer requests the agency worker to give that person a declaration signed by the agency worker, the agency worker is not entitled to take time off for the purpose specified in paragraph (1) unless the agency worker gives that declaration (which may be given in electronic form).

(6) The agency worker must state in the declaration—

(a) that the agency worker has a qualifying relationship with a pregnant woman or her expected child,

(b) that the agency worker's purpose in taking time off is the purpose specified in paragraph (1),

(c) that the appointment in question is made on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, registered midwife or registered health visitor, and

(d) the date and time of the appointment.

(7) A person has a qualifying relationship with a pregnant woman or her expected child if—

(a) the person is the [F186 spouse] or civil partner of the pregnant woman,

(b) the person, being of a different sex or the same sex, lives with the woman in an enduring family relationship but is not a relative of the woman,

(c) the person is the father of the expected child,

(d) the person is a parent of the expected child by virtue of section 42 or 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, F187 ...

(e) the person is a potential applicant for a parental order under section 54 of that Act in respect of the expected child[F188 , or

(f) the person is a potential applicant for a parental order under section 54A of that Act in respect of the expected child.]

(8) For the purposes of paragraph (7), a relative of a person is the person's parent, grandparent, sister, brother, aunt or uncle.

(9) The references to relationships in paragraph (8)—

(a) are to relationships of the full blood or half blood or, in the case of an adopted person, such of those relationships as would exist but for the adoption, and

(b) include the relationship of a child with the child's adoptive, or former adoptive, parents,

but do not include any other adoptive relationships.

(10) For the purposes of paragraph (7)(e), a person (“A”) is a potential applicant for a parental order under section 54 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 in respect of an expected child only if—

(a) A intends to apply, jointly with another person (“B”), for such an order in respect of the expected child within the time allowed by subsection (3) of that section,

(b) the expected child is being carried by the pregnant woman as a result of such procedure as is described in subsection (1)(a) of that section,

(c) the requirement in subsection (1)(b) of that section is satisfied by reference to A or B,

(d) A and B would satisfy subsection (2) of that section if they made an application under that section at the time that A seeks to exercise the right under this Article, and

(e) A expects that A and B will satisfy the conditions in subsections (2), (4), (5) and (8) of that section as regards the intended application.

[F189 (10A) For the purposes of paragraph (7)(f) a person is a potential applicant for a parental order under section 54A of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 in respect of an expected child only if—

(a) the person intends to apply for such an order in respect of the expected child within the time allowed by subsection (2) of that section,

(b) the expected child is being carried by the pregnant woman as a result of such procedure as is described in subsection (1)(a) of that section,

(c) the requirement in subsection (1)(b) of that section is satisfied by reference to the person, and

(d) the person expects that he or she will satisfy the conditions in subsections (3), (4) and (7) of that section as regards the intended application.]

(11) For the purposes of this Article, the working hours of an agency worker are to be taken to be any time when, in accordance with the terms under which the agency worker works temporarily for and under the supervision and direction of the hirer, the agency worker is required to be at work.

F186 Word in art. 85ZG(7)(a) substituted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 143(b) (with regs. 6-9)

F187 Word in art. 85ZG(7) omitted (3.1.2019) by virtue of The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(7)

F188 Art. 85ZG(7)(f) and word inserted (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(8)

F189 Art. 85ZG(10A) inserted (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(9)

Complaint to industrial tribunal: agency workers N.I.

85ZH— (1) An agency worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that the temporary work agency has unreasonably refused to let him or her take time off as required by Article 85ZG.

(2) An agency worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that the hirer has unreasonably refused to let him or her take time off as required by Article 85ZG.

(3) An industrial tribunal may not consider a complaint under paragraph (1) or (2) unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day of the appointment in question, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F190 (3A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (3)(a).]

(4) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under paragraph (1) or (2) well-founded, it—

(a) must make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) must order the payment to the agency worker of an amount determined in accordance with paragraph (6).

(5) Where the tribunal orders that payment under paragraph (4) be made by the temporary work agency and the hirer, the proportion of that amount payable by each respondent is to be such as may be found by the tribunal to be just and equitable having regard to the extent of each respondent's responsibility for the infringement to which the complaint relates.

(6) The amount payable to the agency worker is—

where—

a

A is the appropriate hourly rate for the agency worker, and

b

B is the number of working hours for which the agency worker would have been entitled under Article 85ZG to be absent if the time off had not been refused.

(7) The appropriate hourly rate, in relation to an agency worker, is the amount of one week's pay divided by the number of normal working hours in a week for that agency worker in accordance with the terms under which the agency worker works temporarily for and under the supervision and direction of the hirer that are in force on the day when the time off would have been taken.

(8) But where the number of normal working hours during the assignment differs from week to week or over a longer period, the amount of one week's pay is to be divided instead by the average number of normal working hours calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of the agency worker's normal working hours during the period of twelve weeks ending with the last complete week before the day on which the time off would have been taken.

F190 Art. 85ZH(3A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 24; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Agency workers: supplementary N.I.

85ZI— (1) Without prejudice to any other duties of the hirer or temporary work agency under any statutory provision or rule of law, Articles 85ZG and 85ZH do not apply where the agency worker—

(a) has not completed the qualifying period, or

(b) pursuant to regulation 8(a) or (b) of the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011, is no longer entitled to the rights conferred by regulation 5 of those Regulations.

(2) Nothing in Articles 85ZG and 85ZH imposes a duty on the hirer or temporary work agency beyond the original intended duration, or likely duration, of the assignment, whichever is the longer.

(3) Articles 85ZG and 85ZH do not apply where Articles 85ZE and 85ZF apply.

(4) In this Article and Articles 85ZG and 85ZH the following have the same meaning as in the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (see regulations 2(2), 3, 4 and 7 of the regulations)—

• “agency worker”,

• “assignment”,

• “hirer”,

• “qualifying period”,

• “temporary work agency”.]

[F191 Adoption appointments N.I.

F191 Arts. 85ZJ-85ZS and cross-headings inserted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 17(2), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(e)

Right to paid time off to attend adoption appointments N.I.

85ZJ— (1) An employee who has been notified by an adoption agency that a child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption with the employee alone is entitled to be permitted by his or her employer to take time off during the employee's working hours in order that he or she may attend by appointment at any place for the purpose of having contact with the child or for any other purpose connected with the adoption.

(2) An employee who—

(a) has been notified by an adoption agency that a child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption with the employee and another person jointly, and

(b) has elected to exercise the right to take time off under this Article in connection with the adoption,

is entitled to be permitted by his or her employer to take time off during the employee's working hours in order that he or she may attend by appointment at any place for the purpose of having contact with the child or for any other purpose connected with the adoption.

(3) An employee may not make an election for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) if—

(a) the employee has made an election for the purposes of Article 85ZL(1)(b) in connection with the adoption, or

(b) the other person with whom the child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption has made an election for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) or Article 85ZN(2)(b) in connection with the adoption.

(4) An employee is not entitled to take time off under this Article on or after the date of the child's placement for adoption with the employee.

(5) In relation to any particular adoption, an employee is not entitled to take time off under this Article on more than five occasions.

(6) On each of those occasions, the maximum time off during working hours to which the employee is entitled is six and a half hours.

(7) An employee is not entitled to take time off under this Article unless the appointment has been arranged by or at the request of the adoption agency which made the notification described in paragraph (1) or (2)(a).

(8) An employee is not entitled to take time off under paragraph (1) unless, if the employer requests it, the employee gives the employer a document showing the date and time of the appointment in question and that it has been arranged as described in paragraph (7).

(9) An employee is not entitled to take time off under paragraph (2) unless, if the employer requests it, the employee gives the employer—

(a) a declaration signed by the employee stating that the employee has made an election for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) in connection with the adoption, and

(b) a document showing the date and time of the appointment in question and that it has been arranged as described in paragraph (7).

(10) A document or declaration requested under paragraph (8) or (9) may be given in electronic form.

(11) In cases where more than one child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption with an employee as part of the same arrangement, this Article has effect as if—

(a) the purposes specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) were the purpose of having contact with any one or more of the children and any other purpose connected with any of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(b) the references in paragraphs (2)(b) and (9)(a) to the adoption were references to all of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(c) the references in paragraph (3) to the adoption were references to any of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(d) the reference in paragraph (4) to the date of the child's placement for adoption were a reference to the date of placement of the first child to be placed as part of the arrangement,

(e) the reference in paragraph (5) to a particular adoption were a reference to the adoptions that are part of a particular arrangement.

(12) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an employee are to be taken to be any time when, in accordance with the employee's contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

(13) In this Article, an “adoption agency” means an adoption agency for the purposes of the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (see Articles 2(2) and 3(3) of the Order).

Right to remuneration for time off under Article 85ZJ N.I.

85ZK— (1) An employee who is permitted to take time off under Article 85ZJ is entitled to be paid remuneration by his or her employer for the number of working hours for which the employee is entitled to be absent, at the appropriate hourly rate.

(2) The appropriate hourly rate, in relation to an employee, is the amount of one week's pay divided by the number of normal working hours in a week for that employee when employed under the contract of employment in force on the day when the time off is taken.

(3) But where the number of normal working hours differs from week to week or over a longer period, the amount of one week's pay is to be divided instead by—

(a) the average number of normal working hours, calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of the employee's normal working hours during the period of twelve weeks ending with the last complete week before the day on which the time off is taken, or

(b) where the employee has not been employed for a sufficient period to enable the calculation to be made under sub-paragraph (a), a number which fairly represents the number of normal working hours in a week having regard to such of the considerations specified in paragraph (4) as are appropriate in the circumstances.

(4) The considerations referred to in paragraph (3)(b) are—

(a) the average number of normal working hours in a week which the employee could expect in accordance with the terms of the employee's contract, and

(b) the average number of normal working hours of other employees engaged in relevant comparable employment with the same employer.

(5) A right to any amount under paragraph (1) does not affect any right of an employee in relation to remuneration under the employee's contract of employment (“contractual remuneration”).

(6) Any contractual remuneration paid to an employee in respect of a period of time off under Article 85ZJ goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of that period.

(7) Any payment of remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of a period of time off under Article 85ZJ goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

Right to unpaid time off to attend adoption appointments N.I.

85ZL— (1) An employee who—

(a) has been notified by an adoption agency that a child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption with the employee and another person jointly, and

(b) has elected to exercise the right to take time off under this Article in connection with the adoption,

is entitled to be permitted by his or her employer to take time off during the employee's working hours in order that he or she may attend by appointment at any place for the purpose of having contact with the child or for any other purpose connected with the adoption.

(2) An employee may not make an election for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) if—

(a) the employee has made an election for the purposes of Article 85ZJ(2)(b) in connection with the adoption, or

(b) the other person with whom the child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption has made an election for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) or Article 85ZP(1)(b) in connection with the adoption.

(3) An employee is not entitled to take time off under this Article on or after the date of the child's placement for adoption with the employee.

(4) In relation to any particular adoption, an employee is not entitled to take time off under this Article on more than two occasions.

(5) On each of those occasions, the maximum time off during working hours to which the employee is entitled is six and a half hours.

(6) An employee is not entitled to take time off under this Article unless the appointment has been arranged by or at the request of the adoption agency which made the notification described in paragraph (1)(a).

(7) An employee is not entitled to take time off under this Article unless, if the employer requests it, the employee gives the employer—

(a) a declaration signed by the employee stating that the employee has made an election for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) in connection with the adoption, and

(b) a document showing the date and time of the appointment in question and that it has been arranged as described in paragraph (6).

(8) A declaration or document requested under paragraph (7) may be given in electronic form.

(9) In cases where more than one child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption with an employee and another person jointly as part of the same arrangement, this Article has effect as if—

(a) the purposes specified in paragraph (1) were the purpose of having contact with any one or more of the children and any other purpose connected with any of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(b) the references in paragraphs (1)(b) and (7)(a) to the adoption were references to all of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(c) the references in paragraph (2) to the adoption were references to any of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(d) the reference in paragraph (3) to the date of the child's placement for adoption were a reference to the date of placement of the first child to be placed as part of the arrangement,

(e) the reference in paragraph (4) to a particular adoption were a reference to the adoptions that are part of a particular arrangement.

(10) For the purposes of this Article, the working hours of an employee are to be taken to be any time when, in accordance with the employee's contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

(11) In this Article, “adoption agency” has the same meaning as in Article 85ZJ.

Complaint to industrial tribunal N.I.

85ZM— (1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his or her employer—

(a) has unreasonably refused to let him or her take time off as required by Article 85ZJ or 85ZL, or

(b) has failed to pay the whole or any part of any amount to which the employee is entitled under Article 85ZK.

(2) An industrial tribunal may not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day of the appointment in question, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F192 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under paragraph (1) well-founded, it must make a declaration to that effect.

(4) If the complaint is that the employer has unreasonably refused to let the employee take time off as required by Article 85ZJ, the tribunal must also order the employer to pay to the employee an amount that is twice the amount of the remuneration to which the employee would have been entitled under Article 85ZK if the employer had not refused.

(5) If the complaint is that the employer has failed to pay the employee the whole or part of any amount to which the employee is entitled under Article 85ZK, the tribunal must also order the employer to pay to the employee the amount which it finds due to the employee.

(6) If the complaint is that the employer has unreasonably refused to let the employee take time off as required by Article 85ZL, the tribunal must also order the employer to pay to the employee an amount determined in accordance with paragraph (7).

(7) The amount payable to the employee is—

where—

a

A is the appropriate hourly rate for the employee determined in accordance with Article 85ZK(2) to (4), and

b

B is the number of working hours for which the employee would have been entitled under Article 85ZL to be absent if the time off had not been refused.]

F192 Art. 85ZM(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 25; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

[F191 Adoption appointments: agency workers N.I.

Right to paid time off to attend adoption appointments: agency workers N.I.

85ZN— (1) An agency worker who has been notified by an adoption agency that a child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption with the agency worker alone is entitled to be permitted by the temporary work agency and the hirer to take time off during the agency worker's working hours in order that he or she may attend by appointment at any place for the purpose of having contact with the child or for any other purpose connected with the adoption.

(2) An agency worker who—

(a) has been notified by an adoption agency that a child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption with the agency worker and another person jointly, and

(b) has elected to exercise the right to take time off under this Article in connection with the adoption,

is entitled to be permitted by the temporary work agency and the hirer to take time off during the agency worker's working hours in order that he or she may attend by appointment at any place for the purpose of having contact with the child or for any other purpose connected with the adoption.

(3) An agency worker may not make an election for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) if—

(a) the agency worker has made an election for the purposes of Article 85ZP(1)(b) in connection with the adoption, or

(b) the other person with whom the child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption has made an election for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) or Article 85ZJ(2)(b) in connection with the adoption.

(4) An agency worker is not entitled to take time off under this Article on or after the date of the child's placement for adoption with the agency worker.

(5) In relation to any particular adoption, an agency worker is not entitled to take time off under this Article on more than five occasions.

(6) On each of those occasions, the maximum time off during working hours to which the agency worker is entitled is six and a half hours.

(7) An agency worker is not entitled to take time off under this Article unless the appointment has been arranged by or at the request of the adoption agency which made the notification described in paragraph (1) or (2)(a).

(8) An agency worker is not entitled to take time off under paragraph (1) unless, if the temporary work agency or the hirer requests it, the agency worker gives that person a document showing the date and time of the appointment in question and that it has been arranged as described in paragraph (7).

(9) An agency worker is not entitled to take time off under paragraph (2) unless, if the temporary work agency or the hirer requests it, the agency worker gives that person—

(a) a declaration signed by the agency worker stating that the agency worker has made an election for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) in connection with the adoption, and

(b) a document showing the date and time of the appointment in question and that it has been arranged as described in paragraph (7).

(10) A document or declaration requested under paragraph (8) or (9) may be given in electronic form.

(11) In cases where more than one child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption with an agency worker as part of the same arrangement, this Article has effect as if—

(a) the purposes specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) were the purpose of having contact with any one or more of the children and any other purpose connected with any of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(b) the references in paragraphs (2)(b) and (9)(a) to the adoption were references to all of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(c) the references in paragraph (3) to the adoption were references to any of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(d) the reference in paragraph (4) to the date of the child's placement for adoption were a reference to the date of placement of the first child to be placed as part of the arrangement,

(e) the reference in paragraph (5) to a particular adoption were a reference to the adoptions that are part of a particular arrangement.

(12) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an agency worker are to be taken to be any time when, in accordance with the terms under which the agency worker works temporarily for and under the supervision and direction of the hirer, the agency worker is required to be at work.

(13) In this Article “adoption agency” has the same meaning as in Article 85ZJ.

Right to remuneration for time off under Article 85ZN N.I.

85ZO— (1) An agency worker who is permitted to take time off under Article 85ZN is entitled to be paid remuneration by the temporary work agency for the number of working hours for which the agency worker is entitled to be absent at the appropriate hourly rate.

(2) The appropriate hourly rate, in relation to an agency worker, is the amount of one week's pay divided by the number of normal working hours in a week for that agency worker in accordance with the terms under which the agency worker works temporarily for and under the supervision and direction of the hirer that are in force on the day when the time off is taken.

(3) But where the number of normal working hours during the assignment differs from week to week or over a longer period, the amount of one week's pay is to be divided instead by the average number of normal working hours calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of the agency worker's normal working hours during the period of twelve weeks ending with the last complete week before the day on which the time off is taken.

(4) A right to any amount under paragraph (1) does not affect any right of an agency worker in relation to remuneration under the agency worker's contract with the temporary work agency (“contractual remuneration”).

(5) Any contractual remuneration paid to an agency worker in respect of a period of time off under Article 85ZN goes towards discharging any liability of the temporary work agency to pay remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of that period.

(6) Any payment of remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of a period of time off under Article 85ZN goes towards discharging any liability of the temporary work agency to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

Right to unpaid time off to attend adoption appointments: agency workers N.I.

85ZP— (1) An agency worker who—

(a) has been notified by an adoption agency that a child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption with the agency worker and another person jointly, and

(b) has elected to exercise the right to take time off under this Article in connection with the adoption,

is entitled to be permitted by the temporary work agency and the hirer to take time off during the agency worker's working hours in order that he or she may attend by appointment at any place for the purpose of having contact with the child or for any other purpose connected with the adoption.

(2) An agency worker may not make an election for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) if—

(a) the agency worker has made an election for the purposes of Article 85ZN(2)(b) in connection with the adoption, or

(b) the other person with whom the child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption has made an election for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) or Article 85ZL(1)(b) in connection with the adoption.

(3) An agency worker is not entitled to take time off under this Article on or after the date of the child's placement for adoption with the agency worker.

(4) In relation to any particular adoption, an agency worker is not entitled to take time off under this Article on more than two occasions.

(5) On each of those occasions, the maximum time off during working hours to which the agency worker is entitled is six and a half hours.

(6) An agency worker is not entitled to take time off under this Article unless the appointment has been arranged by or at the request of the adoption agency which made the notification described in paragraph (1)(a).

(7) An agency worker is not entitled to take time off under this Article unless, if the temporary work agency or the hirer requests it, the agency worker gives that person—

(a) a declaration signed by the agency worker stating that the agency worker has made an election for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) in connection with the adoption, and

(b) a document showing the date and time of the appointment in question and that it has been arranged as described in paragraph (6).

(8) A declaration or document requested under paragraph (7) may be given in electronic form.

(9) In cases where more than one child is to be, or is expected to be, placed for adoption with an agency worker and another person jointly as part of the same arrangement, this Article has effect as if—

(a) the purposes specified in paragraph (1) were the purpose of having contact with any one or more of the children and any other purpose connected with any of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(b) the references in paragraphs (1)(b) and (7)(a) to the adoption were references to all of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(c) the references in paragraph (2) to the adoption were references to any of the adoptions that are part of the arrangement,

(d) the reference in paragraph (3) to the date of the child's placement for adoption were a reference to the date of placement of the first child to be placed as part of the arrangement,

(e) the reference in paragraph (4) to a particular adoption were a reference to the adoptions that are part of a particular arrangement.

(10) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an agency worker are to be taken to be any time when, in accordance with the terms under which the agency worker works temporarily for and under the supervision and direction of the hirer, the agency worker is required to be at work.

(11) In this Article, “adoption agency” has the same meaning as in Article 85ZJ.

Complaint to industrial tribunal: agency workers N.I.

85ZQ— (1) An agency worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that the temporary work agency—

(a) has unreasonably refused to let him or her take time off as required by Article 85ZN or 85ZP, or

(b) has failed to pay the whole or any part of any amount to which the agency worker is entitled under Article 85ZO.

(2) An agency worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that the hirer has unreasonably refused to let him or her take time off as required by Article 85ZN or 85ZP.

(3) An industrial tribunal may not consider a complaint under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day of the appointment in question, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F193 (3A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (3)(a).]

(4) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under paragraph (1) or (2) well-founded, it must make a declaration to that effect.

(5) If the complaint is that the temporary work agency or hirer has unreasonably refused to let the agency worker take time off as required by Article 85ZN, the tribunal must also order payment to the agency worker of an amount that is twice the amount of the remuneration to which the agency worker would have been entitled under Article 85ZO if the agency worker had not been refused the time off.

(6) If the complaint is that the temporary work agency has failed to pay the agency worker the whole or part of any amount to which the agency worker is entitled under Article 85ZO, the tribunal must also order the temporary work agency to pay to the agency worker the amount which it finds due to the agency worker.

(7) If the complaint is that the temporary work agency or hirer has unreasonably refused to let the agency worker take time off as required byArticle 85ZP, the tribunal must also order payment to the agency worker of an amount determined in accordance with sub-paragraph (8).

(8) The amount payable to the agency worker under paragraph (7) is—

where—

a

A is the appropriate hourly rate for the agency worker determined in accordance with Article 85ZO(2) and (3), and

b

B is the number of working hours for which the agency worker would have been entitled under Article 85ZP to be absent if the time off had not been refused.

(9) Where the tribunal orders that payment under paragraph (5) or (7) be made by the temporary work agency and the hirer, the proportion of that amount payable by each respondent is to be such as may be found by the tribunal to be just and equitable having regard to the extent of each respondent's responsibility for the infringement to which the complaint relates.

F193 Art. 85ZQ(3A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 26; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Agency workers: supplementary N.I.

85ZR— (1) Without prejudice to any other duties of the hirer or temporary work agency under any statutory provision or rule of law, Articles 85ZN to 85ZQ do not apply where the agency worker—

(a) has not completed the qualifying period, or

(b) pursuant to regulation 8(a) or (b) of the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011, is no longer entitled to the rights conferred by regulation 5 of those Regulations.

(2) Nothing in Articles 85ZN to 85ZQ imposes a duty on the hirer or temporary work agency beyond the original intended duration, or likely duration, of the assignment, whichever is the longer.

(3) Articles 85ZN to 85ZQ do not apply where Articles 85ZJ to 85ZM apply.

(4) In this Article and Articles 85ZN to 85ZQ the following have the same meaning as in the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (see regulations 2(2), 3, 4 and 7 of the regulations)—

• “agency worker”,

• “assignment”,

• “hirer”,

• “qualifying period”,

• “temporary work agency”.

Entitlement: prospective adopters with whom looked after children are placed N.I.

85ZS— (1) Paragraph (3) applies where an authority notifies a person who is an approved foster parent and an approved prospective adopter that a child who is looked after by it is to be, or is expected to be, placed with the person by the authority, in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (2), under Article 27(2)(a) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

(2) The circumstances are that—

(a) the authority—

(i) is considering adoption for the child, or

(ii) has decided by virtue of regulation 11 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 that it is satisfied that adoption is in the best interests of the child, and

(b) such conditions as may be specified in regulations made by the Department are satisfied.

(3) Where this paragraph applies, Articles 85ZJ, 85ZL, 85ZN and 85ZP have effect as if references to adoption, an adoption agency, placement for adoption or placing for adoption were such references as may be specifiedin regulations made by the Department.

(4) Where a child is placed by an authority as referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2), notification of the person by an adoption agency during the placement that the child is to be, or is expected to be, placed with the person for adoption is not to give rise to a right to time off under Article 85ZJ, 85ZL, 85ZN or 85ZP for the person or another person.

(5) In this Article—

“adoption agency” has the same meaning as in Article 85ZJ,

“approved foster parent” means a person approved as a foster parent by the authority under regulation 3 of the Foster Placement (Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996,

“approved prospective adopter” means a person considered by the authority by virtue of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 to be a person suitable to adopt a child,

“authority” has the same meaning as in the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (see Article 2(2) and (3) of the Order),

“child who is looked after by an authority” has the same meaning as in that Order (see Articles 2(7)(b) and 25 of the Order).

(6) The Department may by order amend the definition of, or substitute another definition for the definition of, “approved foster parent” or “approved prospective adopter” for the time being contained in paragraph (5), in consequence of any modification or replacement of the regulations referred to in the definition.]

[F194 Dependants N.I.

F194 1999 NI 9

Time off for dependants N.I.

85A.— (1) An employee is entitled to be permitted by his employer to take a reasonable amount of time off during the employee's working hours in order to take action which is necessary—

(a) to provide assistance on an occasion when a dependant falls ill, gives birth or is injured or assaulted,

(b) to make arrangements for the provision of care for a dependant who is ill or injured,

(c) in consequence of the death of a dependant,

(d) because of the unexpected disruption or termination of arrangements for the care of a dependant, or

(e) to deal with an incident which involves a child of the employee and which occurs unexpectedly in a period during which an educational establishment which the child attends is responsible for him.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply unless the employee—

(a) tells his employer the reason for his absence as soon as reasonably practicable, and

(b) except where paragraph (a) cannot be complied with until after the employee has returned to work, tells his employer for how long he expects to be absent.

(3) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), for the purposes of this Article “dependant” means, in relation to an employee—

(a) a spouse[F195 or civil partner],

(b) a child,

(c) a parent,

(d) a person who lives in the same household as the employee, otherwise than by reason of being his employee, tenant, lodger or boarder.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) or (b) “dependant” includes, in addition to the persons mentioned in paragraph (3), any person who reasonably relies on the employee—

(a) for assistance on an occasion when the person falls ill or is injured or assaulted, or

(b) to make arrangements for the provision of care in the event of illness or injury.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(d) “dependant” includes, in addition to the persons mentioned in paragraph (3), any person who reasonably relies on the employee to make arrangements for the provision of care.

(6) A reference in this Article to illness or injury includes a reference to mental illness or injury.

F195 2004 c.33

Complaint to industrial tribunal N.I.

85B.— (1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his employer has unreasonably refused to permit him to take time off as required by Article 85A.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date when the refusal occurred, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F196 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under paragraph (1) well-founded, it—

(a) shall make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) may make an award of compensation to be paid by the employer to the employee.

(4) The amount of compensation shall be such as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard to—

(a) the employer's default in refusing to permit time off to be taken by the employee, and

(b) any loss sustained by the employee which is attributable to the matters complained of.]

F196 Art. 85B(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 27; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Occupational pension scheme trustees N.I.

Right to time off for pension scheme trustees N.I.

86.—(1) The employer in relation to a relevant occupational pension scheme shall permit an employee of his who is a trustee of the scheme to take time off during the employee's working hours for the purpose of—

(a) performing any of his duties as such a trustee, or 88

(b) undergoing training relevant to the performance of those duties.

(2) The amount of time off which an employee is to be permitted to take under this Article and the purposes for which, the occasions on which and any conditions subject to which time off may be so taken are those that are reasonable in all the circumstances having regard, in particular, to—

(a) how much time off is required for the performance of the duties of a trustee of the scheme and the undergoing of relevant training, and how much time off is required for performing the particular duty or for undergoing the particular training, and

(b) the circumstances of the employer's business and the effect of the employee's absence on the running of that business.

[F197 (2A) This Article applies to an employee who is a director of a company which is a trustee of a relevant occupational pension scheme as it applies to an employee who is a trustee of such a scheme (references to such a trustee being read for this purpose as references to such a director).]

(3) In this Article—

(a) “relevant occupational pension scheme” means an occupational pension scheme (as defined in section 1 of the [1993 c. 49.] Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993) established under a trust, and

(b) references to the employer, in relation to such a scheme, are to an employer of persons in the descriptionF198 or category of employment to which the scheme relates[F199 , and]

[F199 (c) references to training are to training on the employer's premises or elsewhere.]

(4) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an employee shall be taken to be any time when, in accordance with his contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

F197 1999 NI 11

F198 prosp. rep. by 2005 NI 1

F199 1998 NI 15

Right to payment for time off under Article 86 N.I.

87.—(1) An employer who permits an employee to take time off under Article 86 shall pay him for the time taken off pursuant to the permission.

(2) Where the employee's remuneration for the work he would ordinarily have been doing during that time does not vary with the amount of work done, he must be paid as if he had worked at that work for the whole of that time.

(3) Where the employee's remuneration for the work he would ordinarily have been doing during that time varies with the amount of work done, he must be paid an amount calculated by reference to the average hourly earnings for that work.

(4) The average hourly earnings mentioned in paragraph (3) are—

(a) those of the employee concerned, or

(b) if no fair estimate can be made of those earnings, the average hourly earnings for work of that description of persons in comparable employment with the same employer or, if there are no such persons, a figure of average hourly earnings which is reasonable in the circumstances.

(5) A right to be paid an amount under paragraph (1) does not affect any right of an employee in relation to remuneration under his contract of employment ( “contractual remuneration”).

(6) Any contractual remuneration paid to an employee in respect of a period of time off under Article 86 goes towards discharging any liability of the employer under paragraph (1) in respect of that period; and, conversely, any payment under paragraph (1) in respect of a period goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

88.—(1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his employer—

(a) has failed to permit him to take time off as required by Article 86, or

(b) has failed to pay him in accordance with Article 87.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date when the failure occurred, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F200 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under paragraph (1)(a) well-founded, the tribunal—

(a) shall make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) may make an award of compensation to be paid by the employer to the employee.

(4) The amount of the compensation shall be such as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard to—

(a) the employer's default in failing to permit time off to be taken by the employee, and

(b) any loss sustained by the employee which is attributable to the matters complained of.

(5) Where on a complaint under paragraph (1)(b) an industrial tribunal finds that an employer has failed to pay an employee in accordance with Article 87, it shall order the employer to pay the amount which it finds to be due.

F200 Art. 88(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 28; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Employee representatives N.I.

Right to time off for employee representatives N.I.

89.—(1) An employee who is—

(a) an employee representative for the purposes of Part XIII of this Order or [F201 regulations 9, 13 and 15 of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006][F202 or regulations 9, 13 and 15 of the Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006] , or

(b) a candidate in an election in which any person elected will, on being elected, be such an employee representative,

is entitled to be permitted by his employer to take reasonable time off during the employee's working hours in order to perform his functions as such an employee representative or candidate[F203 or in order to undergo training to perform such functions].

(2) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an employee shall be taken to be any time when, in accordance with his contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

F201 Words in art. 89(1)(a) substituted (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), reg. 20(3), Sch. 2 para. 11(b) (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

F202 Words in art. 89(1)(a) inserted (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 20(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(b)

F203 SR 1999/432

Right to remuneration for time off under Article 89 N.I.

90.—(1) An employee who is permitted to take time off under Article 89 is entitled to be paid remuneration by his employer for the time taken off at the appropriate hourly rate.

(2) The appropriate hourly rate, in relation to an employee, is the amount of one week's pay divided by the number of normal working hours in a week for that employee when employed under the contract of employment in force on the day when the time off is taken.

(3) But where the number of normal working hours differs from week to week or over a longer period, the amount of one week's pay shall be divided instead by—

(a) the average number of normal working hours calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of the employee's normal working hours during the period of twelve weeks ending with the last complete week before the day on which the time off is taken, or

(b) where the employee has not been employed for a sufficient period to enable the calculation to be made under sub-paragraph (a), a number which fairly represents the number of normal working hours in a week having regard to such of the considerations specified in paragraph (4) as are appropriate in the circumstances.

(4) The considerations referred to in paragraph (3)(b) are—

(a) the average number of normal working hours in a week which the employee could expect in accordance with the terms of his contract, and

(b) the average number of normal working hours of other employees engaged in relevant comparable employment with the same employer.

(5) A right to any amount under paragraph (1) does not affect any right of an employee in relation to remuneration under his contract of employment ( “contractual remuneration”).

(6) Any contractual remuneration paid to an employee in respect of a period of time off under Article 89 goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of that period; and, conversely, any payment of remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of a period goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

91.—(1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his employer—

(a) has unreasonably refused to permit him to take time off as required by Article 89, or

(b) has failed to pay the whole or any part of any amount to which the employee is entitled under Article 90.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which the time off was taken or on which it is alleged the time off should have been permitted, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F204 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under this Article well-founded, the tribunal shall make a declaration to that effect.

(4) If the complaint is that the employer has unreasonably refused to permit the employee to take time off, the tribunal shall also order the employer to pay to the employee an amount equal to the remuneration to which he would have been entitled under Article 90 if the employer had not refused.

(5) If the complaint is that the employer has failed to pay the employee the whole or part of any amount to which he is entitled under Article 90, the tribunal shall also order the employer to pay to the employee the amount which it finds due to him.

F204 Art. 91(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 29; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

[F205 Study or training N.I.

F205 1998 NI 15

Right to time off for young person for study or training N.I.

91A.— (1) An employee who—

(a) is aged 16 or 17,

(b) is not receiving full-time secondary or further education, and

(c) has not attained such standard of achievement as is prescribed by regulations made by the Department with the approval of the Department of Education,

is entitled to be permitted by his employer to take time off during the employee's working hours in order to undertake study or training leading to a relevant qualification.

(2) In this Article—

(a) “secondary education” has the same meaning as in Article 2(2) of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986;

(b) “further education” has the same meaning as in Article 3 of the Further Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997; and

(c) “relevant qualification” means an external qualification the attainment of which—

(i) would contribute to the attainment of the standard prescribed for the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), and

(ii) would be likely to enhance the employee's employment prospects (whether with his employer or otherwise);

and for the purposes of sub-paragraph (c) “external qualification” means an academic or vocational qualification awarded or authenticated by such person or body as may be specified in or under regulations made by the Department with the approval of the Department of Education.

(3) An employee who—

(a) satisfies the requirements of sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (1), and

(b) is for the time being supplied by his employer to another person ( “the principal”) to perform work in accordance with a contract made between the employer and the principal,

is entitled to be permitted by the principal to take time off during the employee's working hours in order to undertake study or training leading to a relevant qualification.

(4) Where an employee—

(a) is aged 18,

(b) is undertaking study or training leading to a relevant qualification, and

(c) began such study or training before attaining that age,

paragraphs (1) and (3) shall apply to the employee, in relation to that study or training, as if “ or 18 ” were inserted at the end of paragraph (1)(a).

(5) The amount of time off which an employee is to be permitted to take under this Article, and the occasions on which and any conditions subject to which time off may be so taken, are those that are reasonable in all the circumstances having regard, in particular, to—

(a) the requirements of the employee's study or training, and

(b) the circumstances of the business of the employer or the principal and the effect of the employee's time off on the running of that business.

(6) References in this Article to study or training are references to study or training on the premises of the employer or (as the case may be) principal or elsewhere.

(7) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an employee shall be taken to be any time when, in accordance with his contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

[F206 Right to remuneration for time off under Article 91A N.I.

91B.— (1) An employee who is permitted to take time off under Article 91A is entitled to be paid remuneration by his employer for the time taken off at the appropriate hourly rate.

(2) The appropriate hourly rate, in relation to an employee, is the amount of one week's pay divided by the number of normal working hours in a week for that employee when employed under the contract of employment in force on the day when the time off is taken.

(3) But where the number of normal working hours differs from week to week or over a longer period, the amount of one week's pay shall be divided instead by—

(a) the average number of normal working hours calculated by dividing by twelve the total number of the employee's working hours during the period of twelve weeks ending with the last complete week before the day on which the time off is taken, or

(b) where the employee has not been employed for a sufficient period to enable the calculation to be made under sub-paragraph (a), a number which fairly represents the number of normal working hours in a week having regard to such of the considerations specified in paragraph (4) as are appropriate in the circumstances.

(4) The considerations referred to in paragraph (3)(b) are—

(a) the average number of normal working hours in a week which the employee could expect in accordance with the terms of his contract, and

(b) the average number of normal working hours of other employees engaged in relevant comparable employment with the same employer.

(5) A right to any amount under paragraph (1) does not affect any right of an employee in relation to remuneration under his contract of employment ( “contractual remuneration”).

(6) Any contractual remuneration paid to an employee in respect of a period of time off under Article 91A goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of that period; and, conversely, any payment of remuneration under paragraph (1) in respect of a period goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.]

F206 1998 NI 15

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

91C.— (1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that—

(a) his employer, or the principal referred to in paragraph (3) of Article 91A, has unreasonably refused to permit him to take time off as required by that Article, or

(b) his employer has failed to pay the whole or any part of any amount to which the employee is entitled under Article 91B.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which the time off was taken or on which it is alleged the time off should have been permitted, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F207 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under this Article well-founded, the tribunal shall make a declaration to that effect.

(4) If the complaint is that the employer or the principal has unreasonably refused to permit the employee to take time off, the tribunal shall also order the employer or the principal, as the case may be, to pay to the employee an amount equal to the remuneration to which he would have been entitled under Article 91B if the employer or the principal had not refused.

(5) If the complaint is that the employer has failed to pay the employee the whole or part of any amount to which he is entitled under Article 91B, the tribunal shall also order the employer to pay to the employee the amount which it finds due to him.]

F207 Art. 91C(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 30; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

[F208 Trade union duties and activities N.I.

F208 1998 NI 15

Right to time off for carrying out trade union duties N.I.

92.— (1) An employer shall permit an employee of his who is an official of an independent trade union recognised by the employer to take time off during his working hours for the purpose of carrying out any duties of his, as such an official, concerned with—

(a) negotiations with the employer related to or connected with matters falling within Article 96(1) of the 1992 Order in relation to which the trade union is recognised by the employer, or

(b) the performance on behalf of employees of the employer of functions related to or connected with matters falling within that provision which the employer has agreed may be so performed by the trade union[F209 , or]

[F209 (c) receipt of information from the employer and consultation by the employer under Article 216 or under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981]

[F210 (d) negotiations with a view to entering into an agreement under regulation 9 of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 that applies to employees of the employer, or

(e) the performance on behalf of employees of the employer of functions related to or connected with the making of an agreement under that regulation [F211 ;]]

[F212 (f) negotiations with a view to entering into an agreement under regulation 9 of the Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 that applies to employees of the employer, or

(g) the performance on behalf of employees of the employer of functions related to or connected with the making of an agreement under that regulation.]

(2) He shall also permit such an employee to take time off during his working hours for the purpose of undergoing training in aspects of industrial relations—

(a) relevant to the carrying out of such duties as are mentioned q in paragraph (1), and

(b) approved by the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions or by the independent trade union of which he is an official.

(3) The amount of time off which an employee is to be permitted to take under this Article and the purposes for which, the occasions on which and any conditions subject to which time off may be so taken are those that are reasonable in all the circumstances having regard to any relevant provisions of a Code of Practice issued by the Agency under Article 90 of the 1992 Order.

(4) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an employee shall be taken to be any time when, in accordance with his contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

F209 SR 1999/432

F210 Art. 92(1)(d)(e) inserted (6.4.2006) by virtue of Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 9(4), Sch. 1 para. 6 (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

F211 Word in art. 92(1)(e) substituted (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 9(4)

F212 Art. 92(1)(f)(g) inserted (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 9(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C39 Art. 92(3) applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 para. 9(6) (with reg. 50)

C40 Art. 92(4) applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 para. 9(6) (with reg. 50)

[F213 Time off for union learning representatives N.I.

92A.— (1) An employer shall permit an employee of his who is—

(a) a member of an independent trade union recognised by the employer, and

(b) a learning representative of the trade union,

to take time off during his working hours for any of the following purposes.

(2) The purposes are—

(a) carrying on any of the following activities in relation to qualifying members of the trade union—

(i) analysing learning or training needs,

(ii) providing information and advice about learning or training matters,

(iii) arranging learning or training, and

(iv) promoting the value of learning or training,

(b) consulting the employer about carrying on any such activities in relation to such members of the trade union,

(c) preparing for any of the things mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b).

(3) Paragraph (1) only applies if—

(a) the trade union has given the employer notice in writing that the employee is a learning representative of the trade union, and

(b) the training condition is met in relation to him.

(4) The training condition is met if—

(a) the employee has undergone sufficient training to enable him to carry on the activities mentioned in paragraph (2), and the trade union has given the employer notice in writing of that fact,

(b) the trade union has in the last six months given the employer notice in writing that the employee will be undergoing such training, or

(c) within six months of the trade union giving the employer notice in writing that the employee will be undergoing such training, the employee has done so, and the trade union has given the employer notice of that fact.

(5) Only one notice under paragraph (4)(b) may be given in respect of any one employee.

(6) References in paragraph (4) to sufficient training to carry out the activities mentioned in paragraph (2) are to training that is sufficient for those purposes having regard to any relevant provision of a Code of Practice issued by the Agency or the Department.

(7) If an employer is required to permit an employee to take time off under paragraph (1), he shall also permit the employee to take time off during his working hours for the following purposes—

(a) undergoing training which is relevant to his functions as a learning representative, and

(b) where the trade union has in the last six months given the employer notice under paragraph (4)(b) in relation to the employee, undergoing such training as is mentioned in paragraph (4)(a).

(8) The amount of time off which an employee is to be permitted to take under this Article and the purposes for which, the occasions on which and any conditions subject to which time off may be so taken are those that are reasonable in all the circumstances having regard to any relevant provision of a Code of Practice issued by the Agency or the Department.

(9) In paragraph (2)(a), the reference to qualifying members of the trade union is to members of the trade union—

(a) who are employees of the employer of a description in respect of which the union is recognised by the employer, and

(b) in relation to whom it is the function of the union learning representative to act as such.

(10) For the purposes of this Article—

(a) a person is a learning representative of a trade union if he is appointed or elected as such in accordance with its rules;

(b) the working hours of an employee shall be taken to be any time when, in accordance with his contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

(11) The Department may by order amend the preceding provisions of this Article for the purpose of changing the purposes for which an employee may take time off under this Article.]

F213 2003 NI 15

Right to remuneration for time off under Article 92 N.I.

93.— (1) An employer who permits an employee to take time off under Article 92[F214 or 92A] shall pay him for the time taken off pursuant to the permission.

(2) Where the employee's remuneration for the work he would ordinarily have been doing during that time does not vary with the amount of work done, he must be paid as if he had worked at that work for the whole of that time.

(3) Where the employee's remuneration for the work he would ordinarily have been doing during that time varies with the amount of work done, he must be paid an amount calculated by reference to the average hourly earnings for that work.

(4) The average hourly earnings mentioned in paragraph (3) are—

(a) those of the employee concerned, or

(b) if no fair estimate can be made of those earnings, the average hourly earnings for work of that description of persons in comparable employment with the same employer or, if there are no such persons, a figure of average hourly earnings which is reasonable in the circumstances.

(5) A right to be paid an amount under paragraph (1) does not affect any right of an employee in relation to remuneration under his contract of employment ( “contractual remuneration”).

(6) Any contractual remuneration paid to an employee in respect of a period of time off under Article 92[F214 or 92A] goes towards discharging any liability of the employer under paragraph (1) in respect of that period; and, conversely, any payment under paragraph (1) in respect of a period goes towards discharging any liability of the employer to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

F214 2003 NI 15

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C41 Art. 93 applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 para. 9(6) (with reg. 50)

Right to time off for trade union activities N.I.

94.— (1) An employer shall permit an employee of his who is a member of an independent trade union recognised by the employer in respect of that description of employee to take time off during his working hours for the purpose of taking part in—

(a) any activities of the union, and

(b) any activities in relation to which the employee is acting as a representative of the union.

(2) The right conferred by paragraph (1) does not extend to activities which themselves consist of industrial action, whether or not in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute.

[F215 (2A) The right conferred by paragraph (1) does not extend to time off for the purpose of acting as, or having access to services provided by, a learning representative of a trade union.

(2B) An employer shall permit an employee of his who is a member of an independent trade union recognised by the employer in respect of that description of employee to take time off during his working hours for the purpose of having access to services provided by a person in his capacity as a learning representative of the trade union.

(2C) Paragraph (2B) only applies if the learning representative would be entitled to time off under paragraph (1) of Article 92A for the purpose of carrying on in relation to the employee activities of the kind mentioned in paragraph (2) of that Article.]

(3) The amount of time off which an employee is to be permitted to take under this Article and the purposes for which, the occasions on which and any conditions subject to which time off may be so taken are those that are reasonable in all the circumstances having regard to any relevant provisions of a Code of Practice issued by the Agency under Article 90 of the 1992 Order.

(4) For the purposes of this Article the working hours of an employee shall be taken to be any time when, in accordance with his contract of employment, the employee is required to be at work.

[F215 (5) For the purposes of this Article—

(a) a person is a learning representative of a trade union if he is appointed or elected as such in accordance with its rules, and

(b) a person who is a learning representative of a trade union acts as such if he carries on the activities mentioned in Article 92A(2) in that capacity.]

F215 2003 NI 15

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

95.— (1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his employer—

(a) has failed to permit him to take time off as required by Article 92[F216 , 92A] or 94, or

(b) has failed to pay him in accordance with Article 93.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date when the failure occurred, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F217 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under paragraph (1)(a) well-founded, the tribunal—

(a) shall make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) may make an award of compensation to be paid by the employer to the employee.

(4) The amount of the compensation shall be such as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard

(a) the employer's default in failing to permit time off to be taken by the employee, and

(b) any loss sustained by the employee which is attributable to the matters complained of.

(5) Where on a complaint under paragraph (1)(b) an industrial tribunal finds that an employer has failed to pay an employee in accordance with Article 93, it shall order the employer to pay the amount which it finds to be due.]

F216 2003 NI 15

F217 Art. 95(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 31; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C42 Art. 95 applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 para. 9(6) (with reg. 50)

PART VIII N.I. SUSPENSION FROM WORK

Suspension on medical grounds N.I.

Right to remuneration on suspension on medical grounds N.I.

96.—(1) An employee who is suspended from work by his employer on medical grounds is entitled to be paid by his employer remuneration while he is so suspended for a period not exceeding twenty-six weeks.

(2) For the purposes of this Part an employee is suspended from work on medical grounds if he is suspended from work in consequence of—

(a) a requirement imposed by or under any statutory provision, or

(b) a recommendation in a provision of a code of practice issued or approved under Article 18 of the [1978 NI 9.] Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978,

and the provision is for the time being specified in paragraph (3).

(3) The provisions referred to in paragraph (2) are—

• Regulation 2 of the [SR&O 1913 No. 2.] Manufacture and Decoration of Pottery Regulations 1913,

• [F218 Regulation 25 of the Ionising Radiations Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 [S.R. 2017 No. 229]]

• Regulation 16 of the [SR 1986 No. 36.] Control of Lead at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986,

• Regulation 11 of the [SR 1995 No. 51.] Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995.

(4) The Department may by order add provisions to or remove provisions from the list of provisions specified in paragraph (3).

(5) For the purposes of this Part an employee shall be regarded as suspended from work on medical grounds only if and for so long as he—

(a) continues to be employed by his employer, but

(b) is not provided with work or does not perform the work he normally performed before the suspension.

F218 Words in art. 96(3) substituted (1.1.2018) by The Ionising Radiations Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/229), reg. 1, Sch. 9 para. 2 (with reg. 41, Sch. 8)

Exclusions from right to remuneration N.I.

97.—(1) An employee is not entitled to remuneration under Article 96 unless he has been continuously employed for a period of not less than one month ending with the day before that on which the suspension begins.

Para. (2) rep. by SR 2002/298

(3) An employee is not entitled to remuneration under Article 96 in respect of any period during which he is incapable of work by reason of disease or bodily or mental disablement.

(4) An employee is not entitled to remuneration under Article 96 in respect of any period if—

(a) his employer has offered to provide him with suitable alternative work during the period (whether or not it is work which the employee is under his contract, or was under the contract in force before the suspension, employed to perform) and the employee has unreasonably refused to perform that work, or

(b) he does not comply with reasonable requirements imposed by his employer with a view to ensuring that his services are available.

Suspension on maternity grounds N.I.

Meaning of suspension on maternity grounds N.I.

98.—(1) For the purposes of this Part an employee is suspended from work on maternity grounds if, in consequence of any relevant requirement or relevant recommendation, she is suspended from work by her employer on the ground that she is pregnant, has recently given birth or is breastfeeding a child.

(2) In paragraph (1)—

• “relevant requirement” means a requirement imposed by or under a specified statutory provision, and

• “relevant recommendation” means a recommendation in a specified provision of a code of practice issued or approved under Article 18 of the [1978 NI 9.] Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978;

• and in this paragraph “specified” means for the time being specified in an order made by the Department under this paragraph.

(3) For the purposes of this Part an employee shall be regarded as suspended from work on maternity grounds only if and for so long as she—

(a) continues to be employed by her employer, but

(b) is not provided with work or (disregarding alternative work for the purposes of Article 99) does not perform the work she normally performed before the suspension.

Right to offer of alternative work N.I.

99.—(1) Where an employer has available suitable alternative work for an employee, the employee has a right to be offered to be provided with the alternative work before being suspended from work on maternity grounds.

(2) For alternative work to be suitable for an employee for the purposes of this Article—

(a) the work must be of a kind which is both suitable in relation to her and appropriate for her to do in the circumstances, and

(b) the terms and conditions applicable to her for performing the work, if they differ from the corresponding terms and conditions applicable to her for performing the work she normally performs under her contract of employment, must not be substantially less favourable to her than those corresponding terms and conditions.

Right to remuneration N.I.

100.—(1) An employee who is suspended from work on maternity grounds is entitled to be paid remuneration by her employer while she is so suspended.

(2) An employee is not entitled to remuneration under this Article in respect of any period if—

(a) her employer has offered to provide her during the period with work which is suitable alternative work for her for the purposes of Article 99, and

(b) the employee has unreasonably refused to perform that work.

[F219 Ending the supply of an agency worker on maternity grounds N.I.

F219 Arts. 100A-100D and preceding cross-heading inserted (5.12.2011) by Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), Sch. 2 para. 11

Meaning of ending the supply of an agency worker on maternity grounds N.I.

100A.— (1) For the purposes of this Part the supply of an agency worker to a hirer is ended on maternity grounds if, in consequence of action taken pursuant to a provision listed in paragraph (2), the supply of the agency worker to the hirer is ended on the grounds that she is pregnant, has recently given birth or is breastfeeding a child.

(2) The provisions are—

(a) regulation 8(3) or 9(2) of the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997,

(b) regulation 16A(2) or 17A of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, or

(c) regulation 20 of the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005.

Right to offer of alternative work N.I.

100B.— (1) Where the supply of an agency worker to a hirer is ended on maternity grounds and the temporary work agency has available suitable alternative work, the agency worker has a right to be offered to be proposed for such alternative work.

(2) For alternative work to be suitable for an agency worker for the purposes of this Article—

(a) the work must be of a kind which is both suitable in relation to her and appropriate for her to do in the circumstances, and

(b) the terms and conditions applicable to her whilst performing the work, if they differ from the corresponding terms and conditions which would have applied to her but for the fact that the supply of the agency worker to the hirer was ended on maternity grounds, must not be substantially less favourable to her than those corresponding terms and conditions.

(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply—

(a) where the agency worker has confirmed in writing that she no longer requires the work-finding services of the temporary work agency, or

(b) beyond the original intended duration, or likely duration, whichever is the longer, of the assignment which ended when the supply of the agency worker to the hirer was ended on maternity grounds.

Right to remuneration N.I.

100C.— (1) Where the supply of an agency worker to a hirer is ended on maternity grounds, that agency worker is entitled to be paid remuneration by the temporary work agency.

(2) An agency worker is not entitled to remuneration under this Article in respect of any period if—

(a) the temporary work agency has—

(i) offered to propose the agency worker to a hirer that has alternative work available which is suitable alternative work for her for the purposes of Article 100B, or

(ii) proposed the agency worker to a hirer that has such suitable alternative work available, and that hirer has agreed to the supply of that agency worker; and

(b) the agency worker has unreasonably refused that offer or to perform that work.

(3) Nothing in this Article imposes a duty on the temporary work agency to pay remuneration beyond the original intended duration, or likely duration, whichever is the longer, of the assignment which ended when the supply of the agency worker to the hirer was ended on maternity grounds.

Agency workers: supplementary N.I.

100D.— (1) Without prejudice to any other duties of the hirer or temporary work agency under any statutory provision or rule of law Articles 100A, 100B and 100C do not apply where the agency worker—

(a) has not completed the qualifying period, or

(b) is no longer entitled to the rights conferred by regulation 5 of the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 pursuant to regulation 8(a) or (b) of those Regulations.

(2) Nothing in those Articles imposes a duty on the hirer or temporary work agency beyond the original intended duration, or likely duration of the assignment, whichever is the longer.

(3) Those Articles do not apply where Articles 98 to 100 apply.

(4) In this Article and Articles 100A to 100C the following have the same meaning as in the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011—

• ““agency worker””;

• ““assignment””;

• ““hirer””;

• ““qualifying period””,;

• ““temporary work agency””.]

General N.I.

Calculation of remuneration N.I.

101.—(1) The amount of remuneration payable by an employer to an employee under Article 96 or 100 is a week's pay in respect of each week of the period of suspension; and if in any week remuneration is payable in respect of only part of that week the amount of a week's pay shall be reduced proportionately.

(2) A right to remuneration under Article 96 or 100 does not affect any right of an employee in relation to remuneration under the employee's contract of employment ( “contractual remuneration”).

(3) Any contractual remuneration paid by an employer to an employee in respect of any period goes towards discharging the employer's liability under Article 96 or 100 in respect of that period; and, conversely, any payment of remuneration in discharge of an employer's liability under Article 96 or 100 in respect of any period goes towards discharging any obligation of the employer to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

[F220 Calculation of remuneration (agency workers) N.I.

101A.— (1) The amount of remuneration payable by a temporary work agency to an agency worker under Article 100C is a week's pay in respect of each week for which remuneration is payable in accordance with Article 100C; and if in any week remuneration is payable in respect of only part of that week the amount of a week's pay shall be reduced proportionately.

(2) A right to remuneration under Article 100C does not affect any right of the agency worker in relation to remuneration under the contract with the temporary work agency (““contractual remuneration””).

(3)    Any contractual remuneration paid by the temporary work agency to an agency worker in respect of any period goes towards discharging the temporary work agency's liability under Article 100C in respect of that period; and, conversely, any payment of remuneration in discharge of a temporary work agency's liability under Article 100C in respect of any period goes towards discharging any obligation of the temporary work agency to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a week's pay is the weekly amount that would have been payable to the agency worker for performing the work, according to the terms of the contract with the temporary work agency, but for the fact that the supply of the agency worker to the hirer was ended on maternity grounds.

(5) Expressions used in this Article and Articles 100A to 100C have the same meaning as in those Articles (see Article 100D).]

F220 Art. 101A inserted (5.12.2011) by Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), Sch. 2 para. 12

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

102.—(1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his or her employer has failed to pay the whole or any part of remuneration to which the employee is entitled under Article 96 or 100.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under paragraph (1) relating to remuneration in respect of any day unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with that day, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented within that period of three months.

[F221 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under paragraph (1) well-founded, the tribunal shall order the employer to pay the employee the amount of remuneration which it finds is due to him or her.

(4) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that in contravention of Article 99 her employer has failed to offer to provide her with work.

(5) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under paragraph (4) unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the first day of the suspension, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented within that period of three months.

(6) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under paragraph (4) well-founded, the tribunal may make an award of compensation to be paid by the employer to the employee.

(7) The amount of the compensation shall be such as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard

(a) the infringement of the employee's right under Article 99 by the failure on the part of the employer to which the complaint relates, and

(b) any loss sustained by the employee which is attributable to that failure.

F221 Art. 102(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 33; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

[F222 Complaints to industrial tribunals: agency workers N.I.

102A.— (1) An agency worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that the temporary work agency has failed to pay the whole or any part of remuneration to which the agency worker is entitled under Article 100C.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under paragraph (1) relating to remuneration in respect of any day unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which the supply of the agency worker to a hirer was ended on maternity grounds, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented within that period of three months.

[F223 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under paragraph (1) well-founded, the tribunal shall order the temporary work agency to pay the agency worker the amount of remuneration which it finds is due to her.

(4) An agency worker may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that in contravention of Article 100B the temporary work agency has failed to offer to propose the agency worker to a hirer that has suitable alternative work available.

(5) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under paragraph (4) unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which the supply of the agency worker to a hirer was ended on maternity grounds, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented within that period of three months.

(6) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under paragraph (4) well-founded, the tribunal shall order the temporary work agency to pay the agency worker the amount of compensation which it finds is due to her.

(7) The amount of the compensation shall be such as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard to—

(a) the infringement of the agency worker's right under Article 100B by the failure on the part of the temporary work agency to which the complaint relates, and

(b) any loss sustained by the agency worker which is attributable to that failure.

(8) Expressions used in this Article and Articles 100A to 100C have the same meaning as in those Articles (see Article 100D).]

F222 Art. 102A inserted (5.12.2011) by Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), Sch. 2 para. 13

F223 Art. 102A(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 34; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

[F224 PART IX N.I.

F224 1999 NI 9

CHAPTER I N.I. MATERNITY LEAVE

Ordinary maternity leave N.I.

103.— (1) An employee may, provided that she satisfies any conditions which may be prescribed, be absent from work at any time during an ordinary maternity leave period.

(2) An ordinary maternity leave period is a period calculated in accordance with regulations made by the Department.

[F225 (3) Regulations under paragraph (2)—

(a) shall secure that, where an employee has a right to leave under this Article, she is entitled to an ordinary maternity leave period of at least 26 weeks;

(b) may allow an employee to choose, subject to prescribed restrictions, the date on which an ordinary maternity leave period starts;

[F226 (ba) may allow an employee to bring forward the date on which an ordinary maternity leave period ends, subject to prescribed restrictions and subject to satisfying prescribed conditions;

(bb) may allow an employee in prescribed circumstances to revoke, or to be treated as revoking, the bringing forward of that date;]

(c) may specify circumstances in which an employee may work for her employer during an ordinary maternity leave period without bringing the period to an end.]

[F227 (3A) Provision under paragraph (3)(ba) is to secure that an employee may bring forward the date on which an ordinary maternity leave period ends only if the employee or another person has taken, or is taking, prescribed steps as regards shared parental leave under Article 107E or statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child.]

(4) Subject to Article 106, an employee who exercises her right under paragraph (1)—

(a) is entitled[F228 , for such purposes and to such extent as may be prescribed,] to the benefit of the terms and conditions of employment which would have applied if she had not been absent,

(b) is bound[F228 , for such purposes and to such extent as may be prescribed] by any obligations arising under those terms and conditions (except in so far as they are inconsistent with paragraph (1)), and

[F228 (c) is entitled to return from leave to a job of a prescribed kind.]

(5) In paragraph (4)(a) “terms and conditions of employment”

(a) includes matters connected with an employee's employment whether or not they arise under her contract of employment, but

(b) does not include terms and conditions about remuneration.

(6) The Department may make regulations specifying matters which are, or are not, to be treated as remuneration for the purposes of this Article.

[F228 (7) The Department may make regulations making provision, in relation to the right to return under paragraph (4)(c), about—

(a) seniority, pension rights and similar rights;

(b) terms and conditions of employment on return.]

F225 Art. 103(3) substituted (1.9.2006) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 13(1), Sch. 1 para. 30; S.R. 2006/344, art. 2(b)(c)

F226 Art. 103(3)(ba)(bb) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(2)(a), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

F227 Art. 103(3A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(2)(b), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

F228 2002 NI 2

Compulsory maternity leave N.I.

104.— (1) An employer shall not permit an employee who satisfies prescribed conditions to work during a compulsory maternity leave period.

(2) A compulsory maternity leave period is a period calculated in accordance with regulations made by the Department.

(3) Regulations under paragraph (2) shall secure—

(a) that no compulsory leave period is less than two weeks, and

(b) that every compulsory maternity leave period falls within an ordinary maternity leave period.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), any provision of or made under the [1978 NI 9.] Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 shall apply in relation to the prohibition under paragraph (1) as if it were imposed by regulations under Article 17 of that Order.

(5) Article 31(1)(c) of the 1978 Order shall not apply in relation to the prohibition under paragraph (1); and an employer who contravenes that paragraph shall be—

(a) guilty of an offence, and

(b) liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

Additional maternity leave N.I.

105.— (1) An employee who satisfies prescribed conditions may be absent from work at any time during an additional maternity leave period.

(2) An additional maternity leave period is a period calculated in accordance with regulations made by the Department.

[F229 (3) Regulations under paragraph (2)—

(a) may allow an employee [F230 to bring forward the date on which an additional maternity leave period ends, subject to prescribed restrictions and also to satisfying prescribed conditions,]

[F231 (aa) may allow an employee in prescribed circumstances to revoke, or to be treated as revoking, the bringing forward of that date,]

(b) may specify circumstances in which an employee may work for her employer during an additional maternity leave period without bringing the period to an end.]

[F232 (3A) Provision under paragraph (3)(a) is to secure that an employee may bring forward the date on which an additional maternity leave period ends only if the employee or another person has taken, or is taking, prescribed steps as regards shared parental leave under Article 107E or statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child.]

(4) Subject to Article 106, an employee who exercises her right under paragraph (1)—

(a) is entitled, for such purposes and to such extent as may be prescribed, to the benefit of the terms and conditions of employment which would have applied if she had not been absent,

(b) is bound, for such purposes and to such extent as may be prescribed, by obligations arising under those terms and conditions (except in so far as they are inconsistent with paragraph (1)), and

(c) is entitled to return from leave to a job of a prescribed kind.

(5) In paragraph (4)(a) “terms and conditions of employment”

(a) includes matters connected with an employee's employment whether or not they arise under her contract of employment, but

(b) does not include terms and conditions about remuneration.

[F233 (5A) In paragraph (4)(c), the reference to return from leave includes, where appropriate, a reference to a continuous period of absence attributable partly to additional maternity leave and partly to ordinary maternity leave.]

(6) The Department may make regulations specifying matters which are, or are not, to be treated as remuneration for the purposes of this Article.

(7) The Department may make regulations making provision, in relation to the right to return under paragraph (4)(c), about—

(a) seniority, pension rights and similar rights;

(b) terms and conditions of employment on return.

F229 Art. 105(3) substituted (1.9.2006) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 13(1), Sch. 1 para. 31; S.R. 2006/344, art. 2(b)(c)

F230 Words in art. 105(3)(a) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(3)(a), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

F231 Art. 105(3)(aa) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(3)(b), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

F232 Art. 105(3A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(3)(c), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

F233 2002 NI 2

Redundancy and dismissal N.I.

106.— (1) Regulations under Article 103 or 105 may make provision about redundancy during an ordinary or additional maternity leave period.

(2) Regulations under Article 103 or 105 may make provision about dismissal (other than by reason of redundancy) during an ordinary or additional maternity leave period.

(3) Regulations made by virtue of paragraph (1) or (2) may include—

(a) provision requiring an employer to offer alternative employment;

(b) provision for the consequences of failure to comply with the regulations (which may include provision for a dismissal to be treated as unfair for the purposes of Part XI).

(4) Regulations under Article[F234 103 or] 105 may make provision—

(a) for Article[F234 103(4)(c) or] 105(4)(c) not to apply in specified cases, and

(b) about dismissal at the conclusion of an[F234 ordinary or] additional maternity leave period.

F234 2002 NI 2

Articles 103 to 105: supplemental N.I.

107.— (1) Regulations under Article 103, 104 or 105 may—

(a) make provision about notices to be given, evidence to be produced and other procedures to be followed by employees and employers;

(b) make provision for the consequences of failure to give notices, to produce evidence or to comply with other procedural requirements;

(c) make provision for the consequences of failure to act in accordance with a notice given by virtue of sub-paragraph (a);

(d) make special provision for cases where an employee has a right which corresponds to a right under this Chapter and which arises under her contract of employment or otherwise;

(e) make provision modifying the effect of Chapter IV of Part I (calculation of a week's pay) in relation to an employee who is or has been absent from work on ordinary or additional maternity leave;

(f) make provision applying, modifying or excluding a statutory provision, in such circumstances as may be specified and subject to any conditions specified, in relation to a person entitled to ordinary, compulsory or additional maternity leave.

(2) In Articles 103 to 105 “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Department.

[F235 CHAPTER IA N.I. ADOPTION LEAVE

F235 2002 NI 2

Ordinary adoption leave N.I.

107A.— (1) An employee who satisfies prescribed conditions may be absent from work at any time during an ordinary adoption leave period.

[F236 (1A) The conditions that may be prescribed under paragraph (1) include the condition mentioned in Article 107AB.]

(2) An ordinary adoption leave period is a period calculated in accordance with regulations made by the Department.

[F237 (2A) Regulations under paragraph (2)[F238 —

(a) may allow an employee to bring forward the date on which an ordinary adoption leave period ends, subject to prescribed restrictions and subject to satisfying prescribed conditions,

(b) may allow an employee in prescribed circumstances to revoke, or to be treated as revoking, the bringing forward of that date,]

[F239 (c)] may specify circumstances in which an employee may work for his employer during an ordinary adoption leave period without bringing the period to an end.]

[F240 (2B) Provision under paragraph (2A)(a) is to secure that an employee may bring forward the date on which an ordinary adoption leave period ends only if the employee or another person has taken, or is taking, prescribed steps as regards shared parental leave under Article 107G or statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child.]

(3) Subject to Article 107C, an employee who exercises his right under paragraph (1)—

(a) is entitled, for such purposes and to such extent as may be prescribed, to the benefit of the terms and conditions of employment which would have applied if he had not been absent,

(b) is bound, for such purposes and to such extent as may be prescribed, by any obligations arising under those terms and conditions (except in so far as they are inconsistent with paragraph (1)), and

(c) is entitled to return from leave to a job of a prescribed kind.

(4) In paragraph (3)(a) “terms and conditions of employment”

(a) includes matters connected with an employee's employment whether or not they arise under his contract of employment, but

(b) does not include terms and conditions about remuneration.

(5) In paragraph (3)(c), the reference to return from leave includes, where appropriate, a reference to a continuous period of absence attributable partly to ordinary adoption leave and partly to maternity leave.

(6) The Department may make regulations specifying matters which are, or, are not, to be treated as remuneration for the purposes of this Article.

(7) The Department may make regulations making provision, in relation to the right to return under paragraph (3)(c), about—

(a) seniority, pension rights and similar rights, and

(b) terms and conditions of employment on return.

F236 Art. 107A(1A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 8(2), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(f)

F237 Art. 107A(2A) inserted (1.9.2006) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 13(1), Sch. 1 para. 32; S.R. 2006/344, art. 2(b)(c)

F238 Art. 107A(2A)(a)(b) and preceding punctuation mark inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(4)(a), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

F239 Words in art. 107A(2A) renumbered as art. 107A(2A)(c) (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(4)(b), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

F240 Art. 107A(2B) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(4)(c), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C43 Art. 107A applied (15.3.2015) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Application of Articles 107A, 107B, 107G, 107I, 112A and 112B to Parental Order Cases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/100), regs. 1(1), 2

C44 Art. 107A amendment to earlier affecting provision S.R. 2015/100, reg. 2 (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 12

[F241 Ordinary adoption leave: prospective adopters with whom looked after children are placed N.I.

107AB— (1) The condition referred to in Article 107A(1A) is a condition as to the employee—

(a) being an approved foster parent,

(b) being an approved prospective adopter,

(c) being notified by an authority that a child who is looked after by it is to be, or is expected to be, placed with the employee by the authority under Article 27(2)(a) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (2), and

(d) satisfying such further conditions as may be prescribed.

(2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1)(c) are that the authority—

(a) is considering adoption for the child, or

(b) has decided by virtue of regulation 11 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 that it is satisfied that adoption is in the best interests of the child.

(3) In this Article—

“approved foster parent” means a person approved as a foster parent by the authority under regulation 3 of the Foster Placement (Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996,

“approved prospective adopter” means a person considered by the authority by virtue of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 to be a person suitable to adopt a child,

“authority” has the same meaning as in the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (see Article 2(2) and (3) of the Order),

“child who is looked after by an authority” has the same meaning as in that Order (see Articles 2(7)(b) and 25 of the Order).

(4) The Department may by order amend the definition of, or substitute another definition for the definition of, “approved foster parent” or “approved prospective adopter” for the time being contained in paragraph (3), in consequence of any modification or replacement of the regulations referred to in the definition.]

F241 Art. 107AB inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 8(3), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(f)

[F242 Power to apply Article 107A to other cases N.I.

107AC   The Department may by regulations provide for Article 107A to have effect, with such modifications as may be prescribed, in relation to—

(a) cases which involve an employee who has applied, or intends to apply, with another person for a parental order under section 54 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and a child who is, or will be, the subject of the order,

(b) cases which involve an employee who has applied, or intends to apply, for a parental order under section 54A of that Act and a child who is, or will be, the subject of the order.]

F242 Art. 107AC substituted (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(10)

Additional adoption leave N.I.

107B.— (1) An employee who satisfies prescribed conditions may be absent from work at any time during an additional adoption leave period.

(2) An additional adoption leave period is a period calculated in accordance with regulations made by the Department.

[F243 (3) Regulations under paragraph (2)—

(a) may allow an employee [F244 to bring forward the date on which an additional adoption leave period ends, subject to prescribed restrictions and subject to satisfying prescribed conditions,]

[F245 (aa) may allow an employee in prescribed circumstances to revoke, or to be treated as revoking, the bringing forward of that date,]

(b) may specify circumstances in which an employee may work for his employer during an additional adoption leave period without bringing the period to an end.]

[F246 (3A) Provision under paragraph (3)(a) is to secure that an employee may bring forward the date on which an additional adoption leave period ends only if the employee or another person has taken, or is taking, prescribed steps as regards shared parental leave under Article 107G or statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child.]

(4) Subject to Article 107C, an employee who exercises his right under paragraph (1)—

(a) is entitled, for such purposes and to such extent as may be prescribed, to the benefit of the terms and conditions of employment which would have applied if he had not been absent,

(b) is bound, for such purposes and to such extent as may be prescribed by obligations arising under those terms and conditions (except in so far as they are inconsistent with paragraph (1)), and

(c) is entitled to return from leave to a job of a prescribed kind.

(5) In paragraph (4)(a) “terms and conditions of employment”

(a) includes matters connected with an employee's employment whether or not they arise under his contract of employment, but

(b) does not include terms and conditions about remuneration.

(6) In paragraph (4)(c), the reference to return from leave includes, where appropriate, a reference to a continuous period of absence attributable partly to additional adoption leave and partly to—

(a) maternity leave, or

(b) ordinary adoption leave,

or to both.

(7) The Department may make regulations specifying matters which are, or are not, to be treated as remuneration for the purposes of this Article.

(8) The Department may make regulations making provision, in relation to the right to return under paragraph (4)(c), about—

(a) seniority, pension rights and similar rights;

(b) terms and conditions of employment on return.

F243 Art. 107B(3) substituted (1.9.2006) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 13(1), Sch. 1 para. 33; S.R. 2006/344, art. 2(b)(c)

F244 Words in art. 107B(3)(a) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(5)(a), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

F245 Art. 107B(3)(aa) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(5)(b), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

F246 Art. 107B(3A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(5)(c), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C45 Art. 107B applied (15.3.2015) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Application of Articles 107A, 107B, 107G, 107I, 112A and 112B to Parental Order Cases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/100), regs. 1(1), 2

C46 Art. 107B amendment to earlier affecting provision S.R. 2015/100, reg. 2 (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 12

[F247 Power to apply Article 107B to other cases N.I.

107BA   The Department may by regulations provide for Article 107B to have effect, with such modifications as may be prescribed, in relation to—

(a) cases which involve an employee who has applied, or intends to apply, with another person for a parental order under section 54 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and a child who is, or will be, the subject of the order,

(b) cases which involve an employee who has applied, or intends to apply, for a parental order under section 54A of that Act and a child who is, or will be, the subject of the order.]

F247 Art. 107BA substituted (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(11)

Redundancy and dismissal N.I.

107C.— (1) Regulations under Article 107A or 107B may make provision about—

(a) redundancy, or

(b) dismissal (other than by reason of redundancy),

during an ordinary or additional adoption leave period.

(2) Regulations made by virtue of paragraph (1) may include—

(a) provision requiring an employer to offer alternative employment;

(b) provision for the consequences of failure to comply with the regulations, (which may include provision for a dismissal to be treated as unfair for the purposes of Part XI).

(3) Regulations under Article 107A or 107B may make provision—

(a) for Article 107A(3)(c) or 107B(4)(c) not to apply in specified cases, and

(b) about dismissal at the conclusion of an ordinary or additional adoption leave period.

Chapter IA: supplemental N.I.

107D.— (1) Regulations under Article 107A or 107B may—

(a) make provision about notices to be given, evidence to be produced and other procedures to be followed by employees and employers;

(b) make provision requiring employers or employees to keep records;

(c) make provision for the consequences of failure to give notices, to produce evidence, to keep records or to comply with other procedural requirements;

(d) make provision for the consequences of failure to act in accordance with a notice given by virtue of sub-paragraph (a);

(e) make special provision for cases where an employee has a right which corresponds to a right under this Chapter and which arises under his contract of employment or otherwise;

(f) make provision modifying the effect of Chapter IV of Part I (calculation of a week's pay) in relation to an employee who is or has been absent from work on ordinary or additional adoption leave;

(g) make provision applying, modifying or excluding a statutory provision, in such circumstances as may be specified and subject to any conditions specified, in relation to a person entitled to ordinary or additional adoption leave.

[F248 (1A) Where Article 107A or 107B has effect in relation to such cases as are described in Article 107AC or 107BA, regulations under Article 107A or 107B about evidence to be produced may require statutory declarations as to—

(a) eligibility to apply for a parental order [F249 under section 54 or 54A of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008] ,

(b) intention to apply for such an order.]

(2) In Articles 107A [F250 , 107AB, 107BA, 107AC] and 107B “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Department.]

F248 Art. 107D(1A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 10(4), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(h)

F249 Words in art. 107D(1A)(a) inserted (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13(12)

F250 Words in art. 107D(2) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(6); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

[F251 CHAPTER 1B N.I. SHARED PARENTAL LEAVE

F251 Pt. 9 Ch. 1B inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 2(2), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(b)

Entitlement to shared parental leave: birth N.I.

107E— (1) The Department may make regulations entitling an employee who satisfies specified conditions—

(a) as to duration of employment,

(b) as to being, or expecting to be, the mother of a child,

(c) as to caring or intending to care, with another person (“P”), for the child,

(d) as to entitlement to maternity leave,

(e) as to the exercise of that entitlement and the extent of any such exercise,

(f) as to giving notice of an intention to exercise an entitlement to leave under this paragraph, and

(g) as to the consent of P to the amount of leave under this paragraph that the employee intends to take,

to be absent from work on leave under this paragraph for the purpose of caring for the child.

(2) Regulations under paragraph (1) may provide that the employee's entitlement is subject to the satisfaction by P of specified conditions—

(a) as to employment or self-employment,

(b) as to having earnings of a specified amount for a specified period,

(c) as to caring or intending to care, with the employee, for the child, and

(d) as to relationship with the child or the employee.

(3) Provision under paragraph (1)(f) may require the employee to give notice to the employer about—

(a) the amount of leave to which the employee would be entitled if the entitlement were fully exercised (disregarding for these purposes any intention of P to exercise an entitlement to leave under paragraph (4) or to statutory shared parental pay),

(b) how much of the entitlement to leave the employee intends to exercise,

(c) the extent to which P intends to exercise an entitlement to leave under paragraph (4) or to statutory shared parental pay.

(4) The Department may make regulations entitling an employee who satisfies specified conditions—

(a) as to duration of employment,

(b) as to relationship with a child or expected child or with the child's mother,

(c) as to caring or intending to care, with the child's mother, for the child,

(d) as to giving notice of an intention to exercise an entitlement to leave under this paragraph, and

(e) as to the consent of the child's mother to the amount of leave under this paragraph that the employee intends to take,

to be absent from work on leave under this paragraph for the purpose of caring for the child.

(5) Regulations under paragraph (4) may provide that the employee's entitlement is subject to the satisfaction by the child's mother of specified conditions—

(a) as to employment or self-employment,

(b) as to having earnings of a specified amount for a specified period,

(c) as to caring or intending to care, with the employee, for the child,

(d) as to entitlement (or lack of entitlement) to maternity leave, statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance, and

(e) as to the exercise of any such entitlement and the extent of any such exercise.

(6) Provision under paragraph (4)(d) may require the employee to give notice to the employer about—

(a) the amount of leave to which the employee would be entitled if the entitlement were fully exercised (disregarding for these purposes any intention of the child's mother to exercise an entitlement to leave under paragraph (1) or to statutory shared parental pay),

(b) how much of the entitlement to leave the employee intends to exercise,

(c) the extent to which the child's mother intends to exercise an entitlement to leave under paragraph (1) or to statutory shared parental pay.

(7) In this Article and Articles 107F to 107K and 107M, “specified” means specified for the time being in regulations made under the Article concerned.

Entitlement to leave under Article 107E: further provision N.I.

107F— (1) Regulations under Article 107E are to include provision for determining—

(a) the amount of leave under Article 107E(1) or (4) to which an employee is entitled in respect of a child,

(b) when leave under Article 107E(1) or (4) may be taken.

(2) Provision under paragraph (1)(a) is to secure that the amount of leave to which an employee is entitled in respect of a child does not exceed—

(a) in a case where the child's mother became entitled to maternity leave, the relevant amount of time reduced by—

(i) where her maternity leave ends without her ordinary or additional maternity leave period having been curtailed by virtue of Article 103(3)(ba) or 105(3)(a), the amount of maternity leave taken by the child's mother, or

(ii) except where sub-paragraph (a)(i) applies, the amount of time between the beginning of her maternity leave and the time when her ordinary or additional maternity leave period, as curtailed by virtue of Article 103(3)(ba) or 105(3)(a), comes to an end,

(b) in a case where the child's mother became entitled to statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance but not maternity leave, the relevant amount of time reduced by an amount determined in accordance with paragraph (a) or, as the case may be, paragraph (b) of section 167ZV(2) of the Contributions and Benefits Act 1992.

(3) In paragraph (2) “the relevant amount of time” means an amount of time specified in or determined in accordance with regulations under Article 107E.

(4) Provision under paragraph (1)(a) is to secure that the amount of leave that an employee is entitled to take in respect of a child takes into account—

(a) in a case where another person is entitled to leave under Article 107E in respect of the child, the amount of such leave taken by the other person,

(b) in a case where another person is entitled to statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child but not leave under Article 107E, the number of weeks in respect of which such pay is payable to the other person.

(5) In reckoning for the purposes of paragraph (2) the amount of maternity leave taken, a part of a week is to be treated as a full week.

(6) In reckoning for the purposes of paragraph (4) the amount of leave under Article 107E taken during a period of such leave, a part of a week is to be treated as a full week.

(7) Provision under paragraph (1)(b) is to secure that leave under Article 107E must be taken before the end of such period as may be specified.

(8) Regulations under Article 107E are to provide for the taking of leave under that Article in a single period or in non-consecutive periods.

(9) Regulations under that Article may—

(a) provide for an employer, subject to such restrictions as may be specified, to require an employee who proposes to take non-consecutive periods of leave under that Article to take that amount of leave as a single period of leave,

(b) provide for a single period of leave that is so imposed on an employee to start with a day proposed by the employee or, if no day is proposed, with the first day of the first period of leave proposed by the employee.

(10) Regulations under Article 107E may provide for the variation, subject to such restrictions as may be specified, of—

(a) the period or periods during which an amount of leave under Article 107E may be taken,

(b) the amount of leave under Article 107E that the employee previously specified in accordance with provision by virtue of—

(i) Article 107E(3)(b) or (6)(b), or

(ii) paragraph (13)(b).

(11) Provision under paragraph (10)(a) may provide for variation to besubject to the consent of an employer in specified circumstances.

(12) Provision under paragraph (10)(b) may require an employee to satisfy specified conditions—

(a) as to giving notice of an intention to vary the amount of leave under Article 107E to be taken by the employee,

(b) if the employee proposes to vary the amount of leave under Article 107E(1) to be taken by the employee, as to the consent of P to that variation,

(c) if the employee proposes to vary the amount of leave under Article 107E(4) to be taken by the employee, as to the consent of the child's mother to that variation.

(13) Provision under paragraph (12)(a) may require an employee to give notice to the employer about—

(a) the extent to which the employee has exercised an entitlement to leave under Article 107E(1) or (4) in respect of the child,

(b) how much of the entitlement to leave the employee intends to exercise,

(c) the extent to which a person other than the employee has exercised an entitlement to leave under Article 107E or to statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(d) the extent to which a person other than the employee intends to exercise such an entitlement.

(14) Regulations under Article 107E may—

(a) specify things which are, or are not, to be taken as done for the purpose of caring for a child,

(b) make provision excluding the right to be absent on leave under Article 107E in respect of a child where more than one child is born as a result of the same pregnancy,

(c) specify a minimum amount of leave under Article 107E which may be taken,

(d) make provision about how leave under Article 107E may be taken,

(e) specify circumstances in which an employee may work for the employer during a period of leave under Article 107E without bringing the particular period of leave, or the employee's entitlement to leave under Article 107E, to an end,

(f) specify circumstances in which an employee may be absent on leave under Article 107E otherwise than for the purpose of caring for a child without bringing the person's entitlement to leave under Article 107E to an end.

(15) In this Article, “week” means any period of seven days.

(16) The Department may by regulations provide that the following do not have effect, or have effect with specified modifications, in a case where the mother of a child dies before another person has become entitled to leave under Article 107E in respect of the child—

(a) Article 107E(4)(b), (c) and (e),

(b) Article 107E(5),

(c) Article 107E(6)(c),

(d) paragraph (12)(c),

(e) paragraph (13)(c) and (d).

Entitlement to shared parental leave: adoption N.I.

107G— (1) The Department may make regulations entitling an employee who satisfies specified conditions—

(a) as to duration of employment,

(b) as to being a person with whom a child is, or is expected to be, placed for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom,

(c) as to caring or intending to care, with another person (“P”), for the child,

(d) as to entitlement to adoption leave,

(e) as to the exercise of that entitlement and the extent of any such exercise,

(f) as to giving notice of an intention to exercise an entitlement to leave under this paragraph, and

(g) as to the consent of P to the amount of leave under this paragraph that the employee intends to take,

to be absent from work on leave under this paragraph for the purpose of caring for the child.

(2) Regulations under paragraph (1) may provide that the employee's entitlement is subject to the satisfaction by P of specified conditions—

(a) as to employment or self-employment,

(b) as to having earnings of a specified amount for a specified period,

(c) as to caring or intending to care, with the employee, for the child, and

(d) as to relationship with the child or the employee.

(3) Provision under paragraph (1)(f) may require the employee to give notice to the employer about—

(a) the amount of leave to which the employee would be entitled if the entitlement were fully exercised (disregarding for these purposes any intention of P to exercise an entitlement to leave under paragraph (4) or to statutory shared parental pay),

(b) how much of the entitlement to leave the employee intends to exercise,

(c) the extent to which P intends to exercise an entitlement to leave under paragraph (4) or to statutory shared parental pay.

(4) The Department may make regulations entitling an employee who satisfies specified conditions—

(a) as to duration of employment,

(b) as to relationship with a child placed, or expected to be placed, for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom or with a person (“A”) with whom the child is, or is expected to be, so placed,

(c) as to caring or intending to care, with A, for the child,

(d) as to giving notice of an intention to exercise an entitlement to leave under this paragraph, and

(e) as to the consent of A to the amount of leave under this paragraph that the employee intends to take,

to be absent from work on leave under this paragraph for the purpose of caring for the child.

(5) Regulations under paragraph (4) may provide that the employee's entitlement is subject to the satisfaction by A of specified conditions—

(a) as to employment or self-employment,

(b) as to having earnings of a specified amount for a specified period,

(c) as to caring or intending to care, with the employee, for the child,

(d) as to entitlement (or lack of entitlement) to adoption leave or statutory adoption pay, and

(e) as to the exercise of any such entitlement and the extent of any such exercise.

(6) Provision under paragraph (4)(d) may require the employee to give notice to the employer about—

(a) the amount of leave to which the employee would be entitled if the entitlement were fully exercised (disregarding for these purposes any intention of A to exercise an entitlement to leave under paragraph (1) or to statutory shared parental pay),

(b) how much of the entitlement to leave the employee intends to exercise,

(c) the extent to which A intends to exercise an entitlement to leave under paragraph (1) or to statutory shared parental pay.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C47 Art. 107G applied (with modifications) (15.3.2015) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Application of Articles 107G and 107I to Adoptions from Overseas) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/97), reg. 1, Sch.

C48 Art. 107G applied (with modifications) (15.3.2015) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Application of Articles 107A, 107B, 107G, 107I, 112A and 112B to Parental Order Cases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/100), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1

C49 Art. 107G amendment to earlier affecting provision S.R. 2015/100, reg. 3, Sch. 1 (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 12

Entitlement to shared parental leave: prospective adopters with whom looked after children are placed N.I.

107H— (1) Regulations made under Article 107G(1) and (4) are to include provision for leave in respect of a child who is looked after by an authority and who is to be, or is expected to be, placed by the authority under Article 27(2)(a) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (2), with an approved foster parent who is also an approved prospective adopter.

(2) The circumstances are that—

(a) the authority—

(i) is considering adoption for the child, or

(ii) has decided by virtue of regulation 11 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 that it is satisfied that adoption is in the best interests of the child, and

(b) such conditions as may be specified are satisfied.

(3) Regulations made under Article 107G(1) and (4) are to provide for Articles 107G and 107I to have effect, in relation to provision made by virtue of paragraph (1), as if references to a child being placed for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom were such references as may be specified.

(4) In this Article, “approved foster parent”, “approved prospective adopter”, “authority” and “child who is looked after by an authority” have the same meaning as in Article 107AB.

Regulations under Article 107G: further provision N.I.

107I— (1) Regulations under Article 107G are to include provision for determining—

(a) the amount of leave under Article 107G(1) or (4) to which an employee is entitled in respect of a child,

(b) when leave under Article 107G(1) or (4) may be taken.

(2) Provision under paragraph (1)(a) is to secure that the amount of leave to which an employee is entitled in respect of a child does not exceed—

(a) in a case where a person with whom the child is, or is expected to be, placed for adoption became entitled to adoption leave, the relevant amount of time reduced by—

(i) where the person's adoption leave ends without the person's ordinary or additional adoption leave period having been curtailed by virtue of Article 107A(2A)(a) or 107B(3)(a), the amount of adoption leave taken by that person, or

(ii) except where sub-paragraph (a)(i) applies, the amount of time between the beginning of the person's adoption leave and the time when the person's ordinary or additional adoption leave period, as curtailed by virtue of Article 107A(2A)(a) or 107(3)(a), comes to an end,

(b) in a case where a person with whom the child is, or is expected to be, placed for adoption became entitled to statutory adoption pay but not adoption leave, the relevant amount of time reduced by an amount determined in accordance with paragraph (a) or, as the case may be, paragraph (b) of section 167ZX(2) of the Contributions and Benefits Act 1992.

(3) In paragraph (2) “the relevant amount of time” means an amount of time specified in or determined in accordance with regulations under Article 107G.

(4) Provision under paragraph (1)(a) is to secure that the amount of leave that an employee is entitled to take in respect of a child takes into account—

(a) in a case where another person is entitled to leave under Article 107G in respect of the child, the amount of such leave taken by the other person,

(b) in a case where another person is entitled to statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child but not leave under Article 107G, the number of weeks in respect of which such pay is payable to the other person.

(5) In reckoning for the purposes of paragraph (2) the amount of adoption leave taken, a part of a week is to be treated as a full week.

(6) In reckoning for the purposes of paragraph (4) the amount of leave under Article 107G taken during a period of such leave, a part of a week is to be treated as a full week.

(7) Provision under paragraph (1)(b) is to secure that leave under Article 107G must be taken before the end of such period as may be specified.

(8) Regulations under Article 107G are to provide for the taking of leave under that Article in a single period or in non-consecutive periods.

(9) Regulations under Article 107G may—

(a) provide for an employer, subject to such restrictions as may be specified, to require an employee who proposes to take non-consecutive periods of leave under Article 107G to take that amount of leave as a single period of leave, and

(b) provide for a single period of leave that is so imposed on an employee to start with a day proposed by the employee or, if no day is proposed, with the first day of the first period of leave proposed by the employee.

(10) Regulations under Article 107G may provide for the variation, subject to such restrictions as may be specified, of—

(a) the period or periods during which an amount of leave under Article 107G is to be taken,

(b) the amount of leave under Article 107G that the employee previously specified in accordance with provision by virtue of—

(i) Article 107G(3)(b) or (6)(b), or

(ii) paragraph (13)(b).

(11) Provision under paragraph (10)(a) may provide for variation to be subject to the consent of an employer in specified circumstances.

(12) Provision under paragraph (10)(b) may require an employee to satisfy specified conditions—

(a) as to giving notice of an intention to vary the amount of leave under Article 107G to be taken by the employee,

(b) if the employee proposes to vary the amount of leave under Article 107G(1) to be taken by the employee, as to the consent of P to that variation,

(c) if the employee proposes to vary the amount of leave under Article 107G(4) to be taken by the employee, as to the consent of A to that variation.

(13) Provision under paragraph (12)(a) may require an employee to give notice to the employer about—

(a) the extent to which the employee has exercised an entitlement to leave under Article 107G(1) or (4) in respect of the child,

(b) how much of the entitlement to leave the employee intends to exercise,

(c) the extent to which a person other than the employee has exercised an entitlement to leave under Article 107G or to statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(d) the extent to which a person other than the employee intends to exercise such an entitlement.

(14) Regulations under Article 107G may—

(a) specify things which are, or are not, to be taken as done for the purpose of caring for a child,

(b) make provision excluding the right to be absent on leave under Article 107G in respect of a child where more than one child is placed for adoption as part of the same arrangement,

(c) specify a minimum amount of leave under Article 107G which may be taken,

(d) make provision about how leave under Article 107G may be taken,

(e) specify circumstances in which an employee may work for the employer during a period of leave under Article 107G without bringing the particular period of leave, or the employee's entitlement to leave under that Article, to an end,

(f) specify circumstances in which an employee may be absent on leave under Article 107G otherwise than for the purpose of caring for a child without bringing the person's entitlement to leave under that Article to an end.

(15) In this Article, “week” means any period of seven days.

(16) The Department may by regulations provide that the following do not have effect, or have effect with specified modifications, in a case where a person who is taking adoption leave or is entitled to be paid statutory adoption pay in respect of a child dies before another person has become entitled to leave under Article 107G in respect of the child—

(a) Article 107G(4)(b), (c) and (e),

(b) Article 107G(5),

(c) Article 107G(6)(c),

(d) paragraph (12)(c),

(e) paragraph (13)(c) and (d).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C50 Art. 107I applied (with modifications) (15.3.2015) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Application of Articles 107G and 107I to Adoptions from Overseas) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/97), reg. 1, Sch.

C51 Art. 107I applied (with modifications) (15.3.2015) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Application of Articles 107A, 107B, 107G, 107I, 112A and 112B to Parental Order Cases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/100), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1

C52 Art. 107I amendment to earlier affecting provision S.R. 2015/100, reg. 3, Sch. 1 (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 12

Power to apply Articles 107G and 107I to other cases N.I.

107J— (1) The Department may by regulations provide for Articles 107G and 107I to have effect in relation to cases which involve adoption, but not the placement of a child for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, with such modifications as may be specified.

(2) The Department may by regulations provide for Articles 107G and 107I to have effect in relation to cases which involve an employee who has applied, or intends to apply, with another person for a parental order under section 54 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and a child who is, or will be, the subject of the order, with such modifications as may be specified.

(3) Where Articles 107G and 107I have effect in relation to such cases as are described in paragraph (2), regulations under Article 107G about evidence to be produced may require statutory declarations as to—

(a) eligibility to apply for a parental order,

(b) intention to apply for such an order.

Rights during and after shared parental leave N.I.

107K— (1) Regulations under Article 107E or 107G are to provide—

(a) that an employee who is absent on leave under that Article is entitled, for such purposes and to such extent as may be specified, to the benefit of the terms and conditions of employment which would have applied if the employee had not been absent,

(b) that an employee who is absent on leave under that Article is bound, for such purposes and to such extent as may be specified, by obligations arising under those terms and conditions, except in so far as they are inconsistent with Article 107E(1) or (4) or 107G(1) or (4), as the case may be, and

(c) that an employee who is absent on leave under that Article is entitled to return from leave to a job of a kind that may be specified, subject to Article 107L(1).

(2) In paragraph (1)(a), “terms and conditions of employment”—

(a) includes matters connected with an employee's employment whether or not they arise under the employee's contract of employment, but

(b) does not include terms and conditions about remuneration.

(3) The reference in paragraph (1)(c) to absence on leave under Article 107E or 107G includes, where appropriate, a reference to a continuous period of absence attributable partly to leave under one of those Articles and partly to any one or more of the following—

(a) leave under the other of those Articles,

(b) maternity leave,

(c) paternity leave,

(d) adoption leave, F252 ...

(e) parental leave [F253 , and

(f) parental bereavement leave.]

(4) Regulations under Article 107E or 107G may specify matters which are, or are not, to be treated as remuneration for the purposes of this Article.

(5) Regulations under Article 107E or 107G may make provision, in relation to the right to return mentioned in paragraph (1)(c), about—

(a) seniority, pension rights and similar rights,

(b) terms and conditions of employment on return.

F252 Word in art. 107K(3)(d) omitted (23.3.2022) by virtue of Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 19(a); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

F253 Art. 107K(3)(f) and word inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 19(b); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

Redundancy and dismissal N.I.

107L— (1) Regulations under Article 107E or 107G may make provision about—

(a) redundancy, or

(b) dismissal (other than by reason of redundancy),

during a period of leave under that Article.

(2) Provision made by virtue of paragraph (1) may include —

(a) provision requiring an employer to offer alternative employment,

(b) provision for the consequences of failure to comply with the regulations (which may include provision for a dismissal to be treated as unfair for the purposes of Part 11).

Chapter 1B: supplemental N.I.

107M— (1) Regulations under Article 107E or 107G may—

(a) make provision about notices to be given, evidence to be produced and other procedures to be followed by—

(i) employees,

(ii) employers, and

(iii) relevant persons,

(b) make provision requiring such persons to keep records,

(c) make provision for the consequences of failure to give notices, to produce evidence, to keep records or to comply with other procedural requirements,

(d) make provision for the consequences of failure to act in accordance with a notice given by virtue of sub-paragraph (a),

(e) make special provision for cases where an employee has a right which corresponds to a right under Article 107E or 107G and which arises under the employee's contract of employment or otherwise,

(f) make provision modifying the effect of Chapter 4 of Part 1 (calculation of a week's pay) in relation to an employee who is or has been absent from work on leave under Article 107E or 107G,

(g) make provision applying, modifying or excluding any statutory provision, in such circumstances as may be specified and subject to any conditions which may be specified, in relation to a person entitled to take leave under Article 107E or 107G.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), “relevant person” means—

(a) a person who, in connection with an employee's claim to be entitled to leave under Article 107E or 107G, is required to satisfy conditions specified in provision under Article 107E(2) or (5) or 107G(2) or (5), or

(b) a person who is an employer or former employer of such a person.

(3) In paragraph (2)(b) “employer”, in relation to a person falling within paragraph (2)(a) who is an employed earner, includes a person who is a secondary contributor as regards that employed earner.

(4) The conditions as to employment or self-employment that may be specified in provision under Article 107E(2) or (5) or 107G(2) or (5) include conditions as to being in employed or self-employed earner's employment.

(5) In paragraphs (3) and (4)—

• “employed earner” and “self-employed earner” have the meaning given by section 2 of the Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, subject for these purposes to the effect of regulations made under section 2(2)(b) of that Act (persons who are to be treated as employed or self-employed earners),

• “employment”, in the case of employment as an employed or self-employed earner, has the meaning given by section 121 of that Act,

• “secondary contributor”, as regards an employed earner, means a person who—

  (a)

  is indicated by section 7(1) of that Act, as that subsection has effect subject to section 7(2) of that Act, as being a secondary contributor as regards the earner, or

  (b)

  is indicated by regulations under section 7(2) of that Act as being a person to be treated as a secondary contributor as regards the earner]

CHAPTER II N.I. PARENTAL LEAVE

Entitlement to parental leave N.I.

108.— (1) The Department shall make regulations entitling an employee who satisfies specified conditions—

(a) as to duration of employment, and

(b) as to having, or expecting to have, responsibility for a child,

to be absent from work on parental leave for the purpose of caring for a child.

(2) The regulations shall include provision for determining—

(a) the extent of an employee's entitlement to parental leave in respect of a child;

(b) when parental leave may be taken.

(3) Provision under paragraph (2)(a) shall secure that where an employee is entitled to parental leave in respect of a child he is entitled to a period or total period of leave of at least three months; but this paragraph is without prejudice to any provision which may be made by regulations for cases in which—

(a) a person ceases to satisfy conditions under paragraph (1);

(b) an entitlement to parental leave is transferred.

(4) Provision under paragraph (2)(b) may, in particular, refer to—

(a) a child's age, or

(b) a specified period of time starting from a specified event.

(5) Regulations under paragraph (1) may—

(a) specify things which are, or are not, to be taken as done for the purpose of caring for a child;

(b) require parental leave to be taken as a single period of absence in all cases or in specified cases;

(c) require parental leave to be taken as a series of periods of absence in all cases or in specified cases;

(d) require all or specified parts of a period of parental leave to be taken at or by specified times;

(e) make provision about the postponement by an employer of a period of parental leave which an employee wishes to take;

(f) specify a minimum or maximum period of absence which may be taken as part of a period of parental leave;

(g) specify a maximum aggregate of periods of parental leave which may be taken during a specified period of time.

[F254 (6) In this Article and Article 110(4) and (5), “specified” means specified for the time being in regulations made under this Article.]

F254 Art. 108(6) added (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(7); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

Rights during and after parental leave N.I.

109.— (1) Regulations under Article 108 shall provide—

(a) that an employee who is absent on parental leave is entitled, for such purposes and to such extent as may be prescribed, to the benefit of the terms and conditions of employment which would have applied if he had not been absent,

(b) that an employee who is absent on parental leave is bound, for such purposes and to such extent as may be prescribed, by any obligations arising under those terms and conditions (except in so far as they are inconsistent with Article 108(1)), and

(c) that an employee who is absent on parental leave is entitled, subject to Article 110(1), to return from leave to a job of such kind as the regulations may specify.

(2) In paragraph (1)(a) “terms and conditions of employment”

(a) includes matters connected with an employee's employment whether or not they arise under a contract of employment, but

(b) does not include terms and conditions about remuneration.

(3) Regulations under Article 108 may specify matters which are, or are not, to be treated as remuneration for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b).

(4) The regulations may make provision, in relation to the right to return mentioned in paragraph (1)(c), about—

(a) seniority, pension rights and similar rights;

(b) terms and conditions of employment on return.

[F255 (5) In this Article, “prescribed” means prescribed by the regulations made under Article 108.]

F255 Art. 109(5) added (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(8); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

Special cases N.I.

110.— (1) Regulations under Article 108 may make provision—

(a) about redundancy during a period of parental leave;

(b) about dismissal (other than by reason of redundancy) during a period of parental leave.

(2) Provision by virtue of paragraph (1) may include—

(a) provision requiring an employer to offer alternative employment;

(b) provision for the consequences of failure to comply with the regulations (which may include provision for a dismissal to be treated as unfair for the purposes of Part XI).

(3) Regulations under Article 108 may provide for an employee to be entitled to choose to exercise all or part of his entitlement to parental leave—

(a) by varying the terms of his contract of employment as to hours of work, or

(b) by varying his normal working practice as to hours of work,

in a way specified in or permitted by the regulations for a period specified in the regulations.

(4) Provision by virtue of paragraph (3)—

(a) may restrict an entitlement to specified circumstances;

(b) may make an entitlement subject to specified conditions (which may include conditions relating to obtaining the employer's consent);

(c) may include consequential provision.

(5) Regulations under Article 108 may make provision permitting all or part of an employee's entitlement to parental leave in respect of a child to be transferred to another employee in specified circumstances.

(6) The reference in Article 109(1)(c) to absence on parental leave includes, where appropriate, a reference to a continuous period of absence attributable partly[F256 to parental leave and partly to—

(a) maternity leave, or

(b) adoption leave,

or to both.]

(7) Regulations under Article 108 may provide for specified provisions of the regulations not to apply in relation to an employee if any provision of his contract of employment—

(a) confers an entitlement to absence from work for the purpose of caring for a child, and

(b) incorporates or operates by reference to all or part of a collective agreement, or workforce agreement, of a kind specified in the regulations.

F256 2002 NI 2

Supplemental N.I.

111.— (1) Regulations under Article 108 may, in particular—

(a) make provision about notices to be given and evidence to be produced by employees to employers, by employers to employees, and by employers to other employers;

(b) make provision requiring employers or employees to keep records;

(c) make provision about other procedures to be followed by employees and employers;

(d) make provision (including provision creating criminal offences) specifying the consequences of failure to give notices, to produce evidence, to keep records or to comply with other procedural requirements;

(e) make provision specifying the consequences of failure to act in accordance with a notice given by virtue of sub-paragraph (a);

(f) make special provision for cases where an employee has a right which corresponds to a right conferred by the regulations and which arises under his contract of employment or otherwise;

(g) make provision applying, modifying or excluding a statutory provision, in such circumstances as may be specified and subject to any conditions specified, in relation to a person entitled to parental leave.

(2) The regulations may make provision modifying the effect of Chapter IV of Part I (calculation of a week's pay) in relation to an employee who is or has been absent from work on parental leave.

F257 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F257 Art. 111(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Employment Rights (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/537), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 1 (with Sch. para. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Complaint to industrial tribunal N.I.

112.— (1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that his employer—

(a) has unreasonably postponed a period of parental leave requested by the employee, or

(b) has prevented or attempted to prevent the employee from taking parental leave.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date (or last date) of the matters complained of, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F258 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under this Article well-founded it—

(a) shall make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) may make an award of compensation to be paid by the employer to the employee.

(4) The amount of compensation shall be such as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard to—

(a) the employer's behaviour, and

(b) any loss sustained by the employee which is attributable to the matters complained of.

F258 Art. 112(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 35; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

[F259 CHAPTER III N.I. PATERNITY LEAVE

F259 2002 NI 2

Entitlement to [F260 paternity leave] : birth N.I.

112A.— (1) The Department shall make regulations entitling an employee who satisfies specified conditions—

(a) as to duration of employment,

(b) as to relationship with a newborn, or expected, child, and

(c) as to relationship with the child's mother,

to be absent from work on leave under this Article for the purpose of caring for the child or supporting the mother.

(2) The regulations shall include provision for determining—

(a) the extent of an employee' s entitlement to leave under this Article in respect of a child;

(b) when leave under this Article may be taken.

(3) Provision under paragraph (2)(a) shall secure that where an employee is entitled to leave under this Article in respect of a child he is entitled to at least two weeks' leave.

(4) Provision under paragraph (2)(b) shall secure that leave under this Article must be taken before the end of a period of at least 56 days beginning with the date of the child's birth.

[F261 (4A) Provision under paragraph (2)(b) must secure that, once an employee takes shared parental leave under Article 107E in respect of a child, the employee may not take leave under this Article in respect of the child.]

(5) Regulations under paragraph (1) may—

(a) specify things which are, or are not, to be taken as done for the purpose of caring for a child or supporting the child's mother;

(b) make provision excluding the right to be absent on leave under this Article in respect of a child where more than one child is born as a result of the same pregnancy;

(c) make provision about how leave under this Article may be taken.

(6) Where more than one child is born as a result of the same pregnancy, the reference in paragraph (4) to the date of the child's birth shall be read as a reference to the date of birth of the first child born as a result of the pregnancy.

(7) In this Article—

• “newborn child” includes a child stillborn after twenty-four weeks of pregnancy;

• “week” means any period of seven days.

[F262 (8) In this Article and Articles 112B, 112BA, 112BAA, 112C and 112E, “specified” means specified for the time being in regulations made under the Article concerned.]

F260 Words in art. 112A title substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(9)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F261 Art. 112A(4A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(6), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

F262 Art. 112A(8) added (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(9)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C53 Art. 112A applied (with modifications) (15.3.2015) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Application of Articles 107A, 107B, 107G, 107I, 112A and 112B to Parental Order Cases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/100), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2

C54 Art. 112A amendment to earlier affecting provision S.R. 2015/100, reg. 4, Sch. 2 (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 12

Entitlement to additional paternity leave: birth N.I.

F263 112AA.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F263 Art. 112AA repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 4, 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(a)(3) (with art. 7(2))

Entitlement to [F264 paternity leave] : adoption N.I.

F265 112B .— (1) The Department shall make regulations entitling an employee who satisfies specified conditions—

(a) as to duration of employment,

(b) as to relationship with a child placed, or expected to be placed, for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, and

(c) as to relationship with a person with whom the child is, or is expected to be, so placed for adoption,

to be absent from work on leave under this Article for the purpose of caring for the child or supporting the person by reference to whom he satisfies the condition under sub-paragraph (c).

(2) The regulations shall include provision for determining—

(a) the extent of an employee's entitlement to leave under this Article in respect of a child;

(b) when leave under this Article may be taken.

(3) Provision under paragraph (2)(a) shall secure that where an employee is entitled to leave under this Article in respect of a child he is entitled to at least two weeks' leave.

(4) Provision under paragraph (2)(b) shall secure that leave under this Article must be taken before the end of a period of at least 56 days beginning with the date of the child's placement for adoption.

[F266 (4A) Provision under paragraph (2)(b) must secure that, once an employee takes shared parental leave under Article 107G in respect of a child, the employee may not take leave under this Article in respect of the child.]

(5) Regulations under paragraph (1) may—

(a) specify things which are, or are not, to be taken as done for the purpose of caring for a child or supporting a person with whom a child is placed for adoption;

[F267 (aa) make provision excluding the right to be absent on leave under this Article in the case of an employee who, by virtue of provision under Article 112BA(1), has already exercised a right to be absent on leave under this Article in connection with the same child;]

(b) make provision excluding the right to be absent on leave under this Article in the case of an employee who exercises a right to be absent from work on adoption leave;

[F268 (ba) make provision excluding the right to be absent on leave under this Article in the case of an employee who has exercised a right to take time off under Article 85ZJ;]

(c) make provision excluding the right to be absent on leave under this Article in respect of a child where more than one child is placed for adoption as part of the same arrangement;

(d) make provision about how leave under this Article may be taken.

(6) Where more than one child is placed for adoption as part of the same arrangement, the reference in paragraph (4) to the date of the child's placement shall be read as a reference to the date of placement of the first child to be placed as part of the arrangement.

(7) In this Article, “week” means any period of seven days.

(8) The Department may by regulations provide for this Article to have effect in relation to cases which involve adoption, but not the placement of a child for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, with such modifications as the regulations may prescribe.

F264 Words in art. 112B title substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(10); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F265 mod. by SR 2003/220

F266 Art. 112B(4A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 3(7), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(c)

F267 Art. 112B(5)(aa) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 8(4), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(f)

F268 Art. 112B(5)(ba) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 17(5), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(n)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C55 Art. 112B applied (with modifications) (15.3.2015) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Application of Articles 107A, 107B, 107G, 107I, 112A and 112B to Parental Order Cases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/100), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2

C56 Art. 112B amendment to earlier affecting provision S.R. 2015/100, reg. 4, Sch. 2 (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 12

[F269 Entitlement to paternity leave: prospective adopters with whom looked after children are placed N.I.

112BA— (1) Regulations made under Article 112B(1) are to include provision for leave in respect of a child who is looked after by an authority and who is to be, or is expected to be, placed by the authority under Article 27(2)(a) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (2), with an approved foster parent who is also an approved prospective adopter.

(2) The circumstances are that—

(a) the authority—

(i) is considering adoption for the child, or

(ii) has decided by virtue of regulation 11 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 that it is satisfied that adoption is in the best interests of the child, and

(b) such conditions as may be specified are satisfied.

(3) Regulations made under Article 112B(1) are to provide for Article 112B to have effect, in relation to provision made by virtue of paragraph (1), as if—

(a) references to a child being placed for adoption or placement for adoption were such references as may be specified,

(b) in paragraph (5), sub-paragraph (aa) were omitted.

(4) In this Article, “approved foster parent”, “approved prospective adopter”, “authority” and “child who is looked after by an authority” have the same meaning as in Article 107AB.]

F269 Art. 112BA inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 8(5), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(f)

[F270 Power to apply Article 112B to other cases N.I.

112BAA   The Department may by regulations provide for Article 112B to have effect in relation to cases which involve an employee who has applied, or intends to apply, with another person for a parental order under section 54 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and a child who is, or will be, the subject of the order, with such modifications as may be specified]

F270 Art. 112BAA inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 10(5), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(h)

Entitlement to additional paternity leave: adoption N.I.

F263 112BB.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F263 Art. 112AA repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 4, 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(a)(3) (with art. 7(2))

Rights during and after paternity leave N.I.

112C.— (1) Regulations under Article 112A F271 ... shall provide—

(a) that an employee who is absent on leave under that Article is entitled, for such purposes and to such extent as [F272 may be specified] , to the benefit of the terms and conditions of employment which would have applied if he had not been absent;

(b) that an employee who is absent on leave under that Article is bound, for such purposes and to such extent as [F273 may be specified] , by obligations arising under those terms and conditions (except in so far as they are inconsistent with paragraph (1) of that Article), and

(c) that an employee who is absent, on leave under that Article is entitled to return from leave to a job of a kind [F274 that may be specified] , subject to Article 112D(1).

(2) The reference in paragraph (1)(c) to absence on leave under Article 112A F275 ... includes, where appropriate, a reference to a continuous period of absence attributable partly to leave under that Article and partly to any one or more of the following—

F276 (za) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(a) maternity leave,

(b) adoption leave, F277 ...

[F278 (ba) shared parental leave]

[F279 (bb) parental bereavement leave,], and

(c) parental leave.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall apply to regulations under Article 112B [F280 [F281 or 112BAA as it applies to regulations under Article 112A] .]

(4) In the application of paragraph (1)(c) to regulations under Article l12B [F282 or [F283 112BAA]] , the reference to absence on leave under that Article includes, where appropriate, a reference to a continuous period of absence attributable partly to leave under that Article and partly to anyone or more of the following—

F284 (za) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(a) maternity leave,

(b) adoption leave,

[F285 (ba) shared parental leave,]

[F286 (bb) parental bereavement leave,]

(c) parental leave, and

(d) leave under Article 112A F287 ... .

(5) In paragraph (1)(a), “terms and conditions of employment”

(a) includes matters connected with an employee's employment whether or not they arise under his contract of employment, but

(b) does not include terms and conditions about remuneration.

(6) Regulations under [F288 Article 112A or 112B] may specify matters which are, or are not, to be treated as remuneration for the purposes of this Article.

(7) Regulations under [F289 Article 112A or 112B] may make provision, in relation to the right to return mentioned in paragraph (1)(c), about—

(a) seniority, pension rights and similar rights;

(b) terms and conditions of employment on return.

F271 Words in art. 112C(1) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(a), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F272 Words in art. 112C(1)(a) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F273 Words in art. 112C(1)(b) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F274 Words in art. 112C(1)(c) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(c); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F275 Words in art. 112C(2) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(d)(i), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F276 Art. 112C(2)(za) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(d)(ii), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F277 Word in art. 112C(2) repealed (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(d)(iii), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)(3)

F278 Art. 112C(2)(ba) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(d)(iv); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F279 Art. 112C(2)(bb) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 20(2); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

F280 Words in art. 112C(3) substituted (9.9.2010) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 7(4); S.R. 2010/295, art. 2(a)

F281 Words in art. 112C(3) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(e); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F282 Words in art. 112C(4) inserted (9.9.2010) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 7(5)(a); S.R. 2010/295, art. 2(a)

F283 Word in art. 112C(4) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(f)(i); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F284 Art. 112C(4)(za) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(f)(ii), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F285 Art. 112C(4)(ba) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(f)(iii); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F286 Art. 112C(4)(bb) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 20(3); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

F287 Words in art. 112C(4)(d) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(f)(iv), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F288 Words in art. 112C(6) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(g); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F289 Words in art. 112C(7) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(11)(h); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

Special cases N.I.

112D.— (1) Regulations under Article [F290 112A or 112B] may make provision about—

(a) redundancy, or

(b) dismissal (other than by reason of redundancy),

during a period of leave under that Article.

(2) Provision by virtue of paragraph (1) may include—

(a) provision requiring an employer to offer alternative employment;

(b) provision for the consequences of failure to comply with the regulations (which may include provision for a dismissal to be treated as unfair for the purposes of Part XI).

F290 Words in art. 112D(1) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(12); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

Chapter III: supplemental N.I.

112E.— [F291 (1)] Regulations under [F292 Article 112A or 112B] may—

(a) make provision about notices to be given, evidence to be produced and other procedures to be followed by employees and employers;

(b) make provision requiring employers or employees to keep records;

(c) make provision for the consequences of failure to give notices, to produce evidence, to keep records or to comply with other procedural requirements;

(d) make provision for the consequences of failure to act in accordance with a notice given by virtue of sub-paragraph (a);

(e) make special provision for cases where an employee has a right which corresponds to a right under [F292 Article 112A or 112B] and which arises under his contract of employment or otherwise;

(f) make provision modifying the effect of Chapter IV of Part I (calculation of a week's pay) in relation to an employee who is or has been absent from work on leave under [F292 Article 112A or 112B] ;

(g) make provision applying, modifying or excluding a statutory provision, in such circumstances as may be specified and subject to any conditions which may be specified, in relation to a person entitled to take leave under [F292 Article 112A or 112B] .

F293 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]]

F291 Art. 112E renumbered (9.9.2010) as art. 112E(1) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 13(1), Sch. 1 para. 37(3); S.R. 2010/295, art. 2(b)(c)

F292 Words in art. 112E(1) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(13)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F293 Art. 112E(2) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(13)(b), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c)(3) (with art. 7(2))

[F294 CHAPTER 4 N.I. PARENTAL BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

F294 Art. 112EA-112EF inserted (22.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022(c.5)ss. 1, 5(1)

Parental bereavement leave N.I.

112EA.— (1) The Department must make regulations entitling an employee who is a bereaved parent to be absent from work on leave under this Article.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) an employee is a “bereaved parent” if the employee satisfies specified conditions as to relationship with a child who has died.

(3) The conditions specified under paragraph (2) may be framed, in whole or in part, by reference to the employee’s care of the child before the child’s death.

(4) The regulations must include provision for determining—

(a) the extent of an employee’s entitlement to leave under this Article in respect of a child;

(b) when leave under this Article may be taken.

(5) Provision under paragraph (4)(a) must secure that where an employee is entitled to leave under this Article in respect of a child, the employee is entitled to at least two weeks’ leave.

(6) Provision under paragraph (4)(b) must secure that leave under this Article must be taken before the end of a period of at least 56 days beginning with the date of the child’s death.

(7) The regulations must secure that where an employee is eligible under paragraph (1) as the result of the death of more than one child, the employee is entitled to leave in respect of each child.

(8) The regulations may make provision about how leave under this Article is to be taken.

(9) In this Article—

“child” means a person under the age of 18 (see also Article 112EE for the application of this Chapter in relation to stillbirths);

“week” means any period of seven days.

(10) In this Article and Articles 112EB and 112ED, “specified” means specified for the time being in regulations made under this Article.

Rights during and after bereavement leave N.I.

112EB.— (1) Regulations under Article 112EA must provide—

(a) that an employee who is absent on leave under that Article is entitled, for such purposes and to such extent as may be specified, to the benefit of the terms and conditions of employment which would have applied but for the absence;

(b) that an employee who is absent on leave under that Article is bound, for such purposes and to such extent as may be specified, by obligations arising under those terms and conditions (except in so far as they are inconsistent with paragraph (1) of that Article), and

(c) that an employee who is absent on leave under that Article is entitled to return from leave to a job of a specified kind (but this is subject to Article 112EC(1)).

(2) In paragraph (1)(a), “terms and conditions of employment”—

(a) includes matters connected with an employee’s employment whether or not they arise under the contract of employment, but

(b) does not include terms and conditions about remuneration.

(3) The reference in paragraph (1)(c) to absence on leave under Article 112EA includes, where appropriate, a reference to a continuous period of absence attributable partly to leave under that Article and partly to any one or more of the following—

(a) maternity leave;

(b) paternity leave;

(c) adoption leave;

(d) shared parental leave;

(e) parental leave.

(4) Regulations under Article 112EA may specify matters which are, or are not, to be treated as remuneration for the purposes of this Article.

(5) Regulations under Article 112EA may make provision, in relation to the right to return mentioned in paragraph (1)(c), about—

(a) seniority, pension rights and similar rights;

(b) terms and conditions of employment on return.

Special cases N.I.

112EC.— (1) Regulations under Article 112EA may make provision about—

(a) redundancy, or

(b) dismissal (other than by reason of redundancy),

during a period of leave under that Article.

(2) Provision by virtue of paragraph (1) may include—

(a) provision requiring an employer to offer alternative employment;

(b) provision for the consequences of failure to comply with the regulations (which may include provision for a dismissal to be treated as unfair for the purposes of Part 11).

Chapter 4: supplemental N.I.

112ED.   Regulations under Article 112EA may—

(a) make provision about notices to be given, evidence to be produced and other procedures to be followed by employees and employers;

(b) make provision requiring employers or employees to keep records;

(c) make provision for the consequences of failure to give notices, to produce evidence, to keep records or to comply with other procedural requirements;

(d) make provision for the consequences of failure to act in accordance with a notice given by virtue of paragraph (a);

(e) make special provision for cases where an employee has a right that corresponds to a right under Article 112EA and that arises under the person’s contract of employment or otherwise;

(f) make provision modifying the effect of Chapter 4 of Part 1 (calculation of a week’s pay) in relation to an employee who is or has been absent from work on leave under Article 112EA;

(g) make provision applying, modifying or excluding a statutory provision, in such circumstances as may be specified and subject to any conditions which may be specified, in relation to a person entitled to take leave under Article 112EA;

(h) make consequential provision.

Application in relation to stillbirths N.I.

112EE.   In this Chapter—

(a) references to a child include a child stillborn after twenty-four weeks of pregnancy, and

(b) references to the death of a child are to be read, in relation to a stillborn child, as references to the birth of the child.

Application in relation to miscarriage N.I.

112EF⁠.— (1) The Department must by regulations provide that regulations under this Chapter apply in relation to a person who has experienced a miscarriage as they apply in relation to a bereaved parent, with such modifications, if any, as are specified in regulations.

(2) Regulations under this Article may—

(a) specify conditions to be satisfied for the purpose of determining whether a person has experienced a miscarriage for the purposes of the regulations;

(b) provide that regulations under this Chapter also apply in relation to a person who satisfies specified conditions as to relationship with the person who experienced the miscarriage.]

[F295 PART IXA N.I. FLEXIBLE WORKING

F295 2002 NI 2

Statutory right to request contract variation N.I.

112F.— (1) A qualifying employee may apply to his employer for a change in his terms and conditions of employment if—

(a) the change relates to—

(i) the hours he is required to work,

(ii) the times when he is required to work,

(iii) where, as between his home and a place of business of his employer, he is required to work, or

(iv) such other aspect of his terms and conditions of employment as the Department may specify by regulations, F296 ...

F297 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) An application under this Article must—

(a) state that it is such an application,

(b) specify the change applied for and the date on which it is proposed the change should become effective, [F298 and]

(c) explain what effect, if any, the employee thinks making the change applied for would have on his employer and how, in his opinion, any such effect might be dealt with, F299 ...

F300 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) F301 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) If an employee has made an application under this Article, he may not make a further application under this Article to the same employer before the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the date on which the previous application was made.

(5) The Department may by regulations make provision about—

(a) the form of applications under this Article, and

(b) when such an application is to be taken as made.

(6) F302 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) F303 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) For the purposes of this Article, an employee is—

(a) a qualifying employee if he—

(i) satisfies such conditions as to duration of employment as the Department may specify by regulations, and

(ii) is not an agency worker [F304 (other than an agency worker who is returning to work from a period of parental leave under regulations under Article 108)];

(b) an agency worker if he is supplied by a person ( “the agent”) to do work for another ( “the principal”) under a contract or other arrangement made between the agent and the principal.

F305 (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F296 Word in art. 112F(1)(a) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 19(2)(a), 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(g)(3) (with art. 7(2)(3))

F297 Art. 112F(1)(b) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 19(2)(b), 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(g)(3) (with art. 7(2)(3))

F298 Word in art. 112F(2)(b) inserted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 19(3)(a), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(g) (with art. 7(3))

F299 Word in art. 112F(2)(c) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 19(3)(b), 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(g)(3) (with art. 7(2)(3))

F300 Art. 112F(2)(d) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 19(3)(c), 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(g)(3) (with art. 7(2)(3))

F301 Art. 112F(3) repealed (6.4.2007) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 14(4), 17, Sch. 2; S.R. 2006/344, art. 4

F302 Art. 112F(6) repealed (6.4.2007) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 14(4), 17, Sch. 2; S.R. 2006/344, art. 4

F303 Art. 112F(7) repealed (6.4.2007) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 14(4), 17, Sch. 2; S.R. 2006/344, art. 4

F304 Words in art. 112F(8)(a)(ii) inserted (8.3.2013) by The Parental Leave (EU Directive) (Flexible Working) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/26), regs. 1, 2

F305 Art. 112F(9) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 19(4), 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(g)(3) (with art. 7(2)(3))

Employer's duties in relation to application under Artice 112F N.I.

112G.— (1) An employer to whom an application under Article 112F is made—

(a) shall deal with the application in accordance with regulations made by the Department, and

(b) shall only refuse the application because he considers that one or more of the following grounds applies—

(i) the burden of additional costs,

(ii) detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand,

(iii) inability to re-organise work among existing staff,

(iv) inability to recruit additional staff,

(v) detrimental impact on quality,

(vi) detrimental impact on performance,

(vii) insufficiency of work during the periods the employee proposes to work,

(viii) planned structural changes, and

(ix) such other grounds as the Department may specify by regulations.

(2) Regulations under paragraph (l)(a) shall include—

(a) provision for the holding of a meeting between the employer and the employee to discuss an application under Article 112F within twenty-eight days after the date the application is made;

(b) provision for the giving by the employer to the employee of notice of his decision on the application within fourteen days after the date of the meeting under sub-paragraph (a);

(c) provision for notice' under sub-paragraph (b) of a decision to refuse the application to state the grounds for the decision;

(d) provision for the employee to have a right, if he is dissatisfied with the employer's decision, to appeal against it within fourteen days after the date on which notice under sub-paragraph (b) is given;

(e) provision about the procedure for exercising the right of appeal under sub-paragraph (d), including provision requiring the employee to set out the grounds of appeal;

(f) provision for notice under sub-paragraph (b) to include such information as the regulations may specify relating to the right of appeal under sub-paragraph (d);

(g) provision for the holding, within fourteen days after the date on which notice of appeal is given by the employee, of a meeting between the employer and the employee to discuss the appeal;

(h) provision for the employer to give the employee notice of his decision on any appeal within fourteen days after the date of the meeting under sub-paragraph (g);

(i) provision for notice under sub-paragraph (h) of a decision to dismiss an appeal to state the grounds for the decision;

(j) provision for a statement under sub-paragraph (c) or (i) to contain a sufficient explanation of the grounds for the decision;

(k) provision for the employee to have a right to be accompanied at meetings under sub-paragraph (a) or (g) by a person of such description as the regulations may specify;

(l) provision for postponement in relation to any meeting under sub-paragraph (a) or (g) which a companion under sub-paragraph (k) is not available to attend;

(m) provision in relation to companions under sub-paragraph (k) corresponding to Article 12(6) and (7) of the Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (NI 9) (right to paid time off to act as companion, etc.);

(n) provision, in relation to the rights under sub-paragraphs (k) and (l), for the application (with or without modification) of Articles 13 to 15 of the Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (provisions ancillary to right to be accompanied under Article 12 of that Order).

(3) Regulations under paragraph (1)(a) may include—

(a) provision for any requirement of the regulations not to apply where an application is disposed of by agreement or withdrawn;

(b) provision for extension of a time limit where the employer and employee agree, or in such other circumstances as the regulations may specify;

(c) provision for applications to be treated as withdrawn in specified circumstances.

(4) The Department may by order amend paragraph (2).

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

112H.— (1) An employee who makes an application under Article 112F may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal—

(a) that his employer has failed in relation to the application to comply with Article 112G(1), or

(b) that a decision by his employer to reject the application was based on incorrect facts.

(2) No complaint under this Article may be made in respect of an application which has been disposed of by agreement or withdrawn.

(3) In the case of an application which has not been disposed of by agreement or withdrawn, no complaint under this Article may be made until the employer—

(a) notifies the employee of a decision to reject the application on appeal, or

(b) commits a breach of regulations under Article 112G(1)(a) of such description as the Department may specify by regulations.

(4) No complaint under this Article may be made in respect of failure to comply with provision included in regulations under paragraph (1)(a) of Article 112G because of paragraph (2)(k), (l) or (m) of that Article.

(5) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the relevant date, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

(6) In paragraph (5)(a), the reference to the relevant date is—

(a) in the case of a complaint permitted by paragraph (3)(a), the date on which the employee is notified of the decision on the appeal, and

(b) in the case of a complaint permitted by paragraph (3)(b), the date on which the breach concerned was committed.

[F306 (7) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (5)(a).]

F306 Art. 112H(7) added (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 36; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Remedies N.I.

112I.— (1) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under Article l12H well-founded it shall make a declaration to that effect and may—

(a) make an order for reconsideration of the application, and

(b) make an award of compensation to be paid by the employer to the employee.

(2) The amount of compensation shall be such amount, not exceeding the permitted maximum, as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), the permitted maximum is such number of weeks' pay as the Department may specify by regulations.

(4) Where an industrial tribunal makes an order under paragraph (1)(a), Article 112G, and the regulations under that Article, shall apply as if the application had been made on the date of the order.]

PART X N.I. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

Minimum period of notice N.I.

Rights of employer and employee to minimum notice N.I.

118.—(1) The notice required to be given by an employer to terminate the contract of employment of a person who has been continuously employed for one month or more—

(a) is not less than one week's notice if his period of continuous employment is less than two years,

(b) is not less than one week's notice for each year of continuous employment if his period of continuous employment is two years or more but less than twelve years, and

(c) is not less than twelve weeks' notice if his period of continuous employment is twelve years or more.

(2) The notice required to be given by an employee who has been continuously employed for one month or more to terminate his contract of employment is not less than one week.

(3) Any provision for shorter notice in any contract of employment with a person who has been continuously employed for one month or more has effect subject to paragraphs (1) and (2); but this Article does not prevent either party from waiving his right to notice on any occasion or from accepting a payment in lieu of notice.

(4) Any contract of employment of a person who has been continuously employed for three months or more which is a contract for a term certain of one month or less shall have effect as if it were for an indefinite period; and, accordingly, paragraphs (1) and (2) apply to the contract.

Para. (5) rep. by SR 2002/298

(6) This Article does not affect any right of either party to a contract of employment to treat the contract as terminable without notice by reason of the conduct of the other party.

Rights of employee in period of notice N.I.

119.—(1) If an employer gives notice to terminate the contract of employment of a person who has been continuously employed for one month or more, the provisions of Articles 120 to 123 have effect as respects the liability of the employer for the period of notice required by Article 118(1).

(2) If an employee who has been continuously employed for one month or more gives notice to terminate his contract of employment, the provisions of Articles 120 to 123 have effect as respects the liability of the employer for the period of notice required by Article 118(2).

(3) In Articles 120 to 123 “period of notice” means—

(a) where notice is given by an employer, the period of notice required by Article 118(1), and

(b) where notice is given by an employee, the period of notice required by Article 118(2).

(4) This Article does not apply in relation to a notice given by the employer or the employee if the notice to be given by the employer to terminate the contract must be at least one week more than the notice required by Article 118(1).

Employments with normal working hours N.I.

120.—(1) If an employee has normal working hours under the contract of employment in force during the period of notice and during any part of those normal working hours—

(a) the employee is ready and willing to work but no work is provided for him by his employer,

(b) the employee is incapable of work because of sickness or injury,

(c) the employee is absent from work wholly or partly because of pregnancy or childbirth[F307 or on[F308 adoption leave, [F309 shared parental leave,] [F310 parental bereavement leave,] parental leave or [F311 paternity leave]]] , or

(d) the employee is absent from work in accordance with the terms of his employment relating to holidays,

the employer is liable to pay the employee for the part of normal 8 working hours covered by any of sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) a sum not less than the amount of remuneration for that part of normal working hours calculated at the average hourly rate of remuneration produced by dividing a week's pay by the number of normal working hours.

(2) Any payments made to the employee by his employer in respect of the relevant part of the period of notice (whether by way of sick pay, statutory sick pay, maternity pay, statutory maternity pay,[F308 paternity pay, [F312 statutory paternity pay] , adoption pay, statutory adoption pay,] [F313 shared parental pay, statutory shared parental pay,] [F314 parental bereavement pay, statutory parental bereavement pay,] holiday pay or otherwise) go towards meeting the employer's liability under this Article.

(3) Where notice was given by the employee, the employer's liability under this Article does not arise unless and until the employee leaves the service of the employer in pursuance of the notice.

F307 1999 NI 9

F308 2002 NI 2

F309 Words in art. 120(1)(c) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(14)(a)(i); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F310 Words in art. 120(1)(c) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 21(2); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

F311 Words in art. 120(1)(c) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(14)(a)(ii); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F312 Words in art. 120(2) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(14)(b)(i); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F313 Words in art. 120(2) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(14)(b)(ii); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F314 Words in art. 120(2) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 21(3); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

Employments without normal working hours N.I.

121.—(1) If an employee does not have normal working hours under the contract of employment in force in the period of notice, the employer is liable to pay the employee for each week of the period of notice a sum not less than a week's pay.

(2) The employer's liability under this Article is conditional on the employee being ready and willing to do work of a reasonable nature and amount to earn a week's pay.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply—

(a) in respect of any period during which the employee is incapable of work because of sickness or injury,

(b) in respect of any period during which the employee is absent from work wholly or partly because of pregnancy or childbirth[F315 or on[F316 adoption leave, [F317 shared parental leave,] [F318 parental bereavement leave,] parental leave or [F319 paternity leave]]] , or

(c) in respect of any period during which the employee is absent from work in accordance with the terms of his employment relating to holidays.

(4) Any payment made to an employee by his employer in respect of a period within paragraph (3) (whether by way of sick pay, statutory sick pay, maternity pay, statutory maternity pay,[F316 paternity pay, [F320 statutory paternity pay] , adoption pay, statutory adoption pay,] [F321 shared parental pay, statutory shared parental pay,] [F322 parental bereavement pay, statutory parental bereavement pay,] holiday pay or otherwise) shall be taken into account for the purposes of this Article as if it were remuneration paid by the employer in respect of that period.

(5) Where notice was given by the employee, the employer's liability under this Article does not arise unless and until the employee leaves the service of the employer in pursuance of the notice.

F315 1999 NI 9

F316 2002 NI 2

F317 Words in art. 121(3)(b) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(15)(a)(i); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F318 Words in art. 121(3)(b) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 22(2); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

F319 Words in art. 121(3)(b) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(15)(a)(ii); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F320 Words in art. 121(4) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(15)(b)(i); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F321 Words in art. 121(4) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(15)(b)(ii); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F322 Words in art. 121(4) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 22(3); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

Short-term incapacity benefit [F323 , contributory employment and support allowance] and industrial injury benefit N.I.

122.—(1) This Article has effect where the arrangements in force relating to the employment are such that—

(a) payments by way of sick pay are made by the employer to employees to whom the arrangements apply, in cases where any such employees are incapable of work because of sickness or injury, and

(b) in calculating any payment so made to any such employee an amount representing, or treated as representing, short-term incapacity benefit [F324 , contributory employment and support allowance] or industrial injury benefit is taken into account, whether by way of deduction or by way of calculating the payment as a supplement to that amount.

(2) If—

(a) during any part of the period of notice the employee is incapable of work because of sickness or injury,

(b) one or more payments by way of sick pay are made to him by the employer in respect of that part of the period of notice, and

(c) in calculating any such payment such an amount as is referred to in sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1) is taken into account as mentioned in that sub-paragraph,

for the purposes of Article 120 or 121 the amount so taken into account shall be treated as having been paid by the employer to the employee by way of sick pay in respect of that part of that period, and shall go towards meeting the liability of the employer under that Article accordingly.

F323 Words in art. 122 heading inserted (27.10.2008) by Employment and Support Allowance (Consequential Provisions No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/412), reg. 3(a)

F324 Words in art. 122(1)(b) inserted (27.10.2008) by Employment and Support Allowance (Consequential Provisions No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/412), reg. 3(b)

Supplementary N.I.

123.—(1) An employer is not liable under Article 120 or 121 to make any payment in respect of a period during which an employee is absent from work with the leave of the employer granted at the request of the employee, including any period of time off taken in accordance with Part VII.

(2) No payment is due under Article 120 or 121 in consequence of a notice to terminate a contract given by an employee if, after the notice is given and on or before the termination of the contract, the employee takes part in a strike of employees of the employer.

(3) If, during the period of notice, the employer breaks the contract of employment, payments received under Article 120 or 121 in respect of the part of the period after the breach go towards mitigating the damages recoverable by the employee for loss of earnings in that part of the period of notice.

(4) If, during the period of notice, the employee breaks the contract and the employer rightfully treats the breach as terminating the contract, no payment is due to the employee under Article 120 or 121 in respect of the part of the period falling after the termination of the contract.

(5) If an employer fails to give the notice required by Article 118, the rights conferred by Articles 119 to 122 and this Article shall be taken into account in assessing his liability for breach of the contract.

(6) Articles 118 to 122 and this Article apply in relation to a contract all or any of the terms of which are terms which take effect by virtue of any statutory provision as in relation to any other contract.

Written statement of reasons for dismissal N.I.

Right to written statement of reasons for dismissal N.I.

124.—(1) An employee is entitled to be provided by his employer with a written statement giving particulars of the reasons for the employee's dismissal—

(a) if the employee is given by the employer notice of termination of his contract of employment,

(b) if the employee's contract of employment is terminated by the employer without notice, or

[F325 (c) if the employee is employed under a limited-term contract and the contract terminates by virtue of the limiting event without being renewed.]

(2) Subject to[F326 paragraphs (4) and (4A)], an employee is entitled to a written statement under this Article only if he makes a request for one; and a statement shall be provided within fourteen days of such a request.

(3) Subject to[F326 paragraphs (4) and (4A)], an employee is not entitled to a written statement under this Article unless on the effective date of termination he has been, or will have been, continuously employed for a period of not less than[F327 one year] ending with that date.

(4) An employee is entitled to a written statement under this Article without having to request it and irrespective of whether she has been continuously employed for any period if she is dismissed—

(a) at any time while she is pregnant, or

(b) after childbirth in circumstances in which her[F328 ordinary or additional maternity leave period] ends by reason of the dismissal.

[F326 (4A) An employee who is dismissed while absent from work during an ordinary or additional adoption leave period is entitled to a written statement under this Article without having to request it and irrespective of whether he has been continuously employed for any period if he is dismissed in circumstances in which that period ends by reason of the dismissal.]

(5) A written statement under this Article is admissible in evidence in any proceedings.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), in this Article “the effective date of termination”

(a) in relation to an employee whose contract of employment is terminated by notice, means the date on which the notice expires,

(b) in relation to an employee whose contract of employment is terminated without notice, means the date on which the termination takes effect, and

[F325 (c) in relation to an employee who is employed under a limited-term contract which terminates by virtue of the limiting event without being renewed under the same contract, means the date on which the termination takes effect.]

(7) Where—

(a) the contract of employment is terminated by the employer, and

(b) the notice required by Article 118 to be given by an employer would, if duly given on the material date, expire on a date later than the effective date of termination (as defined by paragraph (6)),

the later date is the effective date of termination.

(8) In paragraph (7)(b) “the material date” means—

(a) the date when notice of termination was given by the employer, or

(b) where no notice was given, the date when the contract of employment was terminated by the employer.

F325 SR 2002/298

F326 2002 NI 2

F327 SR 1999/277

F328 1999 NI 9

Complaints to industrial tribunal N.I.

125.—(1) A complaint may be presented to an industrial tribunal by an employee on the ground that—

(a) the employer unreasonably failed to provide a written statement under Article 124, or

(b) the particulars of reasons given in purported compliance with that Article are inadequate or untrue.

(2) Where an industrial tribunal finds a complaint under this Article well-founded, the tribunal—

(a) may make a declaration as to what it finds the employer's reasons were for dismissing the employee, and

(b) shall make an award that the employer pay to the employee a sum equal to the amount of two weeks' pay.

(3) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article relating to the reasons for a dismissal unless it is presented to the tribunal at such a time that the tribunal would, in accordance with Article 145, consider a complaint of unfair dismissal in respect of that dismissal presented at the same time.

PART XI N.I. UNFAIR DISMISSAL

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C57 Pt. 11 (arts. 126-169A) modified (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 7, Sch. 1 paras. 4, 11 (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C58 Pt. 11 (arts. 126-169A) modified (18.8.2006) by European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2059), regs. 2, 31, Sch. 3 paras. 10, 22

C59 Pt. 11 (arts. 126-169A) modified (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 para. 13(5) (with reg. 50)

C60 Pt. 11 (arts. 126-169A) modified (15.12.2007) by Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2974), regs. 22(3), 46(1), Sch. 2 paras. 7, 20

C61 Pt. 11 (arts. 126-169A) modified (1.10.2009) by European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2402), reg. 29 (with reg. 39)

C62 Pt. 11 (arts. 126-169A) modified (5.12.2011) by Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), reg. 17

C63 Pt. 11 modified (6.4.2022) by The Parental Bereavement Leave Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/166), regs. 1, 13(1)

C64 Pt. 11 modified (3.10.2022) by The Parental Bereavement Leave (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/237), regs. 1, 13(1) (with regs. 16-21)

C65 Pt. 11 modified (2.4.2023) by The Parental Bereavement Leave Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/55), regs. 1, 13(1) (with regs. 16-21)

C66 Pt. XI modified (29.9.2023) by The Parental Bereavement Leave (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/156), regs. 1, 13(1) (with regs. 16-21)

CHAPTER I N.I. RIGHT NOT TO BE UNFAIRLY DISMISSED

The right N.I.

The right N.I.

126.—(1) An employee has the right not to be unfairly dismissed by his employer.

(2) Paragraph (1) has effect subject to the following provisions of this Part (in particular Articles 140 to 144).

Dismissal N.I.

Circumstances in which an employee is dismissed N.I.

127.—(1) For the purposes of this Part an employee is dismissed by his employer if (and, subject to paragraph (2) F329 . . . , only if)—

(a) the contract under which he is employed is terminated by the employer (whether with or without notice),

[F330 (b) he is employed under a limited-term contract that terminates by virtue of the limiting event without being renewed, or]

(c) the employee terminates the contract under which he is employed (with or without notice) in circumstances in which he is entitled to terminate it without notice by reason of the employer's conduct.

(2) An employee shall be taken to be dismissed by his employer for the purposes of this Part if—

(a) the employer gives notice to the employee to terminate his contract of employment, and

(b) at a time within the period of that notice the employee gives notice to the employer to terminate the contract of employment on a date earlier than the date on which the employer's notice is due to expire;

and the reason for the dismissal is to be taken to be the reason for which the employer's notice is given.

F329 1999 NI 9

F330 SR 2002/298

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C67 Art. 127(1)(c) restricted (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 10(3), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1)(5), Sch. 1 para. 3)

Art. 128 rep. by 1999 NI 9

Effective date of termination N.I.

129.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Article, in this Part “the effective date of termination”

(a) in relation to an employee whose contract of employment is terminated by notice, whether given by his employer or by the employee, means the date on which the notice expires,

(b) in relation to an employee whose contract of employment is terminated without notice, means the date on which the termination takes effect, and

[F331 (c) in relation to an employee who is employed under a limited-term contract which terminates by virtue of the limiting event without being renewed, means the date on which the termination takes effect.]

(2) Where—

(a) the contract of employment is terminated by the employer, and

(b) the notice required by Article 118 to be given by an employer would, if duly given on the material date, expire on a date later than the effective date of termination (as defined by paragraph (1)),

for the purposes of Articles 23(3), 140(1) and 153(1) the later date is the effective date of termination.

(3) In paragraph (2)(b) “the material date” means—

(a) the date when notice of termination was given by the employer, or

(b) where no notice was given, the date when the contract of employment was terminated by the employer.

(4) Where—

(a) the contract of employment is terminated by the employee,

(b) the material date does not fall during a period of notice given by the employer to terminate that contract, and

(c) had the contract been terminated not by the employee but by notice given on the material date by the employer, that notice would have been required by Article 118 to expire on a date later than the effective date of termination (as defined by paragraph (1)),

for the purposes of Articles 23(3), 140(1) and 153(1) the later date is the effective date of termination.

(5) In paragraph (4) “the material date” means—

(a) the date when notice of termination was given by the employee, or

(b) where no notice was given, the date when the contract of employment was terminated by the employee.

Para. (6) rep. by 1999 NI 9

F331 SR 2002/298

Fairness N.I.

General N.I.

130.—(1) In determining for the purposes of this Part whether the dismissal of an employee is fair or unfair, it is for the employer to show—

(a) the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal, and

(b) that it is either a reason falling within paragraph (2) or some other substantial reason of a kind such as to justify the dismissal of an employee holding the position which the employee held.

(2) A reason falls within this paragraph if it—

(a) relates to the capability or qualifications of the employee for performing work of the kind which he was employed by the employer to do,

(b) relates to the conduct of the employee,

(ba) F332 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) is that the employee was redundant, or

(d) is that the employee could not continue to work in the position which he held without contravention (either on his part or on that of his employer) of a duty or restriction imposed by or under a statutory provision.

(2A) F333 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) In paragraph (2)(a)—

(a) “capability”, in relation to an employee, means his capability assessed by reference to skill, aptitude, health or any other physical or mental quality, and

(b) “qualifications”, in relation to an employee, means any degree, diploma or other academic, technical or professional qualification relevant to the position which he held.

(3A) F334 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) [F335 Where] the employer has fulfilled the requirements of paragraph (1), the determination of the question whether the dismissal is fair or unfair (having regard to the reason shown by the employer)—

(a) depends on whether in the circumstances (including the size and administrative resources of the employer's undertaking) the employer acted reasonably or unreasonably in treating it as a sufficient reason for dismissing the employee, and

(b) shall be determined in accordance with equity and the substantial merits of the case.

Para. (5) rep. by 1999 NI 9

(6) [F336 Paragraph (4) is] subject to Articles[F337 130A] to 139[F338 , 144 and 144A].

F332 Art. 130(2)(ba) omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(2)(a) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

F333 Art. 130(2A) omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(2)(a) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

F334 Art. 130(3A) omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(2)(a) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

F335 Word in art. 130(4) substituted (6.4.2011) by Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(2)(b) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

F336 1999 NI 9

F337 2003 NI 15

F338 2004 NI 19

[F339 Retirement N.I.

F339 Arts. 130ZA-130ZH and crossheadings preceding and following said arts. inserted (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53(1), {Sch. 7 para. 3(4)}

No normal retirement age: dismissal before 65 N.I.

130ZA.  F340 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F340 Arts. 130ZA-130ZH omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(3) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

No normal retirement age: dismissal at or after 65 N.I.

130ZB.  F341 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F341 Arts. 130ZA-130ZH omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(3) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

Normal retirement age: dismissal before retirement age N.I.

130ZC.  F342 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F342 Arts. 130ZA-130ZH omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(3) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

Normal retirement age 65 or higher: dismissal at or after retirement age N.I.

130ZD.  F343 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F343 Arts. 130ZA-130ZH omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(3) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

Normal retirement age below 65: dismissal at or after retirement age N.I.

130ZE.  F344 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F344 Arts. 130ZA-130ZH omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(3) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

Reason for dismissal: particular matters N.I.

130ZF.  F345 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F345 Arts. 130ZA-130ZH omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(3) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

Retirement dismissals: fairness N.I.

130ZG.  F346 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F346 Arts. 130ZA-130ZH omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(3) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

Interpretation N.I.

130ZH.  F347 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F347 Arts. 130ZA-130ZH omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(3) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

Other Dismissals] N.I.

X1 [F348 Procedural fairness N.I.

130A.— (1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if—

(a) one of the procedures set out in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (dismissal and disciplinary procedures) applies in relation to the dismissal,

(b) the procedure has not been completed, and

(c) the non-completion of the procedure is wholly or mainly attributable to failure by the employer to comply with its requirements.

(2) Subject to paragraph (1), failure by an employer to follow a procedure in relation to the dismissal of an employee shall not be regarded for the purposes of Article 130(4)(a) as by itself making the employer's action unreasonable if he shows that he would have decided to dismiss the employee if he had followed the procedure.

(3) For the purposes of this Article, any question as to the application of a procedure set out in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, completion of such a procedure or failure to comply with the requirements of such a procedure shall be determined by reference to regulations under Article 17 of that Order.]

Editorial Information

X1 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F348 2003 NI 15

X2 [F349 Jury service N.I.

130B.— (1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that the employee—

(a) has been summoned under the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order [F350 1996] or the Coroners Act (Northern Ireland) 1959 (c.15) to attend for service as a juror, or

(b) has been absent from work because he attended at any place in pursuance of being so summoned.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in relation to an employee who is dismissed if the employer shows—

(a) that the circumstances were such that the employee's absence in pursuance of being so summoned was likely to cause substantial injury to the employer's undertaking,

(b) that the employer brought those circumstances to the attention of the employee,

(c) that the employee refused or failed to apply to be excused from attending in pursuance of being so summoned, and

(d) that the refusal or failure was not reasonable]

Editorial Information

X2 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F349 2004 NI 19

F350 Word in art. 130B(1)(a) substituted (3.8.2010) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 12), ss. 7(1), 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 6(2)

X3 [F351 Leave for family reasons N.I.

131.— (1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if—

(a) the reason or principal reason for the dismissal is of a prescribed kind, or

(b) the dismissal takes place in prescribed circumstances.

(2) In this Article “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Department.

(3) A reason or set of circumstances prescribed under this Article must relate to—

(a) pregnancy, childbirth or maternity,

[F352 (aa) time off under Article 85ZE,]

[F353 (ab) time off under Article 85ZJ or 85ZL,]

(b) ordinary, compulsory or additional maternity leave,

[F354 (ba) ordinary or additional adoption leave,]

[F355 (bb) shared parental leave,]

(c) parental leave,

[F356 (ca) paternity leave,]

[F357 (cb) parental bereavement leave, or]

(d) time off under Article 85A;

and it may also relate to redundancy or other factors.

(4) A reason or set of circumstances prescribed under paragraph (1) satisfies paragraph (3)(c) if it relates to action which an employee—

(a) takes,

(b) agrees to take, or

(c) refuses to take,

under or in respect of a collective or workforce agreement which deals with parental leave.

(5) Regulations under this Article may apply any statutory provision, in such circumstances as may be specified and subject to any conditions specified, in relation to persons regarded as unfairly dismissed by reason of this Article]

Editorial Information

X3 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F351 1999 NI 9

F352 Art. 131(3)(aa) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 15(5), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(l)

F353 Art. 131(3)(ab) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 17(6), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(n)

F354 2002 NI 2

F355 Art. 131(3)(bb) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(16)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F356 Art. 131(3)(ca) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(16)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F357 Art. 131(3)(cb) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 23; S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

X4 Health and safety cases N.I.

132.—(1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that—

(a) having been designated by the employer to carry out activities in connection with preventing or reducing risks to health and safety at work, the employee carried out (or proposed to carry out) any such activities,

(b) being a representative of workers on matters of health and safety at work or member of a safety committee—

(i) in accordance with arrangements established under or by virtue of any statutory provision, or

(ii) by reason of being acknowledged as such by the employer,

the employee performed (or proposed to perform) any functions as such a representative or a member of such a committee,

[F358 (ba) the employee took part (or proposed to take part) in consultation with the employer pursuant to the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 or in an election of representives of employees safety within the meaning of those Regulations (whether as a candidate or otherwise),]

(c) being an employee at a place where—

(i) there was no such representative or safety committee, or

(ii) there was such a representative or safety committee but it was not reasonably practicable for the employee to raise the matter by those means,

he brought to his employer's attention, by reasonable means, circumstances connected with his work which he reasonably believed were harmful or potentially harmful to health or safety,

(d) in circumstances of danger which the employee reasonably believed to be serious and imminent and which he could not reasonably have been expected to avert, he left (or proposed to leave) or (while the danger persisted) refused to return to his place of work or any dangerous part of his place of work, or

(e) in circumstances of danger which the employee reasonably believed to be serious and imminent, he took (or proposed to take) appropriate steps to protect himself or other persons from the danger.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(e) whether steps which an employee took (or proposed to take) were appropriate is to be judged by reference to all the circumstances including, in particular, his knowledge and the facilities and advice available to him at the time.

(3) Where the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal of an employee is that specified in paragraph (1)(e), he shall not be regarded as unfairly dismissed if the employer shows that it was (or would have been) so negligent for the employee to take the steps which he took (or proposed to take) that a reasonable employer might have dismissed him for taking (or proposing to take) them.

Editorial Information

X4 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F358 SR 1996/511

X5 [F359 Working time cases N.I.

132A.— [F360 (1)] An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that the employee—

(a) refused (or proposed to refuse) to comply with a requirement which the employer imposed (or proposed to impose) in contravention of [F361 the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016] ,

(b) refused (or proposed to refuse) to forgo a right conferred on him by those Regulations,

(c) failed to sign a workforce agreement for the purposes of those Regulations, or to enter into, or agree to vary or extend, any other agreement with his employer which is provided for in those Regulations, or

(d) being—

(i) a representative of members of the workforce for the purposes of Schedule 1 to those Regulations, or

(ii) a candidate in an election in which any person elected will, on being elected, be such a representative,

performed (or proposed to perform) any functions or activities as such a representative or candidate.

[F360 (2) A reference in this Article to [F362 the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016] includes a reference to

[F363 (a)] the Merchant Shipping (Working Time: Inland Waterways) Regulations 2003.

[F363 (b) the Fishing Vessels (Working Time: Sea-fishermen) Regulations 2004 [F364 ; F365 ...

(c) the Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008[F366 ; and]

[F367 (d) the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations 2018.]]]]]

Editorial Information

X5 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F359 SR 1998/386

F360 SI 2003/3049

F361 Words in art. 132A(1)(a) substituted (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 53(3)(b)(i) (with reg. 22(1))

F362 Words in art. 132A(2) substituted (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 53(3)(b)(ii) (with reg. 22(1))

F363 SI 2004/1713

F364 Art. 132A(2)(c) and preceding word inserted (1.10.2008) by Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/315), reg. 19, Sch. 3 para. 2(3)

F365 Word in art. 132A(2)(b) omitted (17.3.2014) by virtue of The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/308), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 3(3)(a)

F366 Word in art. 132A(2)(c) inserted (17.3.2014) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/308), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 3(3)(b)

F367 Art. 132A(2)(d) substituted (6.4.2018) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/58), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 3(b) (with regs. 3, 4)

X6 Trustees of occupational pension schemes N.I.

133.—(1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that, being a trustee of a relevant occupational pension scheme which relates to his employment, the employee performed (or proposed to perform) any functions as such a trustee.

[F368 (1A) This Article applies to an employee who is a director of a company which is a trustee of a relevant occupational pension scheme as it applies to an employee who is a trustee of such a scheme (references to such a trustee being read for this purpose as references to such a director).]

(2) In this Article “relevant occupational pension scheme” means an occupational pension scheme (as defined in section 1 of the [1993 c. 49.] Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993) established under a trust.

Editorial Information

X6 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F368 1999 NI 11

X7 Employee representatives N.I.

134.— [F369 (1)] An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that the employee, being—

(a) an employee representative for the purposes of Part XIII of this Order or[F370 regulations 9, 13 and 15 of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006][F371 or regulations 9, 13 and 15 of the Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006], or

(b) a candidate in an election in which any person elected will, on being elected, be such an employee representative,

performed (or proposed to perform) any functions or activities as such an employee representative or candidate.

[F369 (2) An employee who is dismissed shall be reguarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that the employee took part in an election of employee representatives for the purposes of Part XIII of this Order or [F372 regulations 9, 13 and 15 of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006][F373 or regulations 9, 13 and 15 of the Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006].]

Editorial Information

X7 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F369 SR 1999/432

F370 Words in art. 134(1)(a) substituted (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), reg. 20(3), Sch. 2 para. 11(c) (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

F371 Words in art. 134(1)(a) inserted (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 20(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(c)

F372 Words in art. 134(2) substituted (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), reg. 20(3), Sch. 2 para. 11(c) (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

F373 Words in art. 134(2) inserted (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 20(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(c)

X8 [F374 Protected disclosure N.I.

134A.   An employee who is dismissed shall be reguarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that the employee made a protected disclosure.]

Editorial Information

X8 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F374 1998 NI 17

X9 Assertion of statutory right N.I.

135.—(1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that the employee—

(a) brought proceedings against the employer to enforce a right of his which is a relevant statutory right, or

(b) alleged that the employer had infringed a right of his which is a relevant statutory right.

(2) It is immaterial for the purposes of paragraph (1)—

(a) whether or not the employee has the right, or

(b) whether or not the right has been infringed;

but, for that paragraph to apply, the claim to the right and that it has been infringed must be made in good faith.

(3) It is sufficient for paragraph (1) to apply that the employee, without specifying the right, made it reasonably clear to the employer what the right claimed to have been infringed was.

(4) The following are relevant statutory rights for the purposes of this Article—

(a) any right conferred by this Order[F375 or Schedule 2 to the Shops (Sunday Trading & c.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997][F376 or Schedule 8A to the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985] for which the remedy for its infringement is by way of a complaint or reference to an industrial tribunal,

(b) the right conferred by Article 118 of this Order,F377 . . .

(c) the rights conferred by Articles 35 and 60 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Order (deductions from pay)F378 . . .

[F379 (d) the rights conferred by [F380 the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016] , [F381 [F382 the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations 2018] ,] the Merchant Shipping (Working Time: Inland Waterway) Regulations 2003 [F383 , the Fishing Vessels (Working Time: Sea-fisherman) Regulations 2004 or the Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008].][F384 , and

(e) the rights conferred by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006.]

[F385 (5) In this Article any reference to an employer includes, where the right in question is conferred by Article 91A, the principal (within the meaning of Article 91A(3)).]

Editorial Information

X9 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F375 1997 NI 20

F376 1985 NI 11 as inserted by 2004 NI 1

F377 SR 1998/386

F378 Word in art. 135(4)(c) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 19(a), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

F379 SI 2004/1713

F380 Words in art. 135(4)(d) substituted (28.2.2016) by The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/49), regs. 1, 53(3)(c) (with reg. 22(1))

F381 Words in art. 135(4)(d) inserted (17.3.2014) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/308), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 3(4)

F382 Words in art. 135(4)(d) substituted (6.4.2018) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/58), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 3(c) (with regs. 3, 4)

F383 Words in art. 135(4)(d) substituted (1.10.2008) by Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/315), reg. 19, Sch. 3 para. 2(4)

F384 Art. 135(4)(e) and preceding words inserted (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 19(b), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

F385 1998 NI 15

X10 [F386 The national minimum wage N.I.

135A.— (1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that—

(a) any action was taken, or was proposed to be taken, by or on behalf of the employee with a view to enforcing, or otherwise securing the benefit of, a right of the employee's to which this Article applies; or

(b) the employer was prosecuted for an offence under section 31 of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 as a result of action taken by or on behalf of the employee for the purpose of enforcing, or otherwise securing the benefit of, a right of the employee's to which this Article applies; or

(c) the employee qualifies, or will or might qualify, for the national minimum wage or for a particular rate of national minimum wage.

(2) It is immaterial for the purposes of sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (1)—

(a) whether or not the employee has the right, or

(b) whether or not the right has been infringed; but, for that paragraph to apply, the claim to the right and, if applicable, the claim that it has been infringed must be made in good faith.

(3) The following are the rights to which this Article applies—

(a) any right conferred by, or by virtue of, any provision of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 for which the remedy for its infringement is by way of a complaint to an industrial tribunal, and

(b) any right conferred by section 17 of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 (worker receiving less than national minimum wage entitled to additional remuneration).]

Editorial Information

X10 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F386 1998 c. 39

X11 F387 [F388 Tax credit N.I.

135B.— (1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that—

(a) any action was taken, or was proposed to be taken, by or on behalf of the employee with a view to enforcing, or otherwise securing the benefit of, a right conferred on the employee by regulations under section 6(2)(a) or (c) of the Tax Credits Act 1999;

(b) a penalty was imposed on the employer, or proceedings for a penalty were brought against him, under section 9 of that Act, as a result of action taken by or on behalf of the employee for the purpose of enforcing, or otherwise securing the benefit of, such a right; or

(c) the employee is entitled, or will or may be entitled, to working families' tax credit or disabled person's tax credit.

(2) It is immaterial for the purposes of sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (1)—

(a) whether or not the employee has the right, or

(b) whether or not the right has been infringed;

but, for that paragraph to apply, the claim to the right and, if applicable, the claim that it has been infringed must be made in good faith.]

Editorial Information

X11 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F387 prosp. in pt. subst. by 2002 c. 21 for the purpose of rights conferred on employees by virtue of regulations under s. 25

F388 1999 c. 10

X12 [F389 Flexible working N.I.

135C.   An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that the employee—

(a) made (or proposed to make) an application under Article 112F,

(b) exercised (or proposed to exercise) a right conferred on him under Article 112G,

(c) brought proceedings against the employer under Article 112H, or

(d) alleged the existence of any circumstance which would constitute a ground for bringing such proceedings.]

Editorial Information

X12 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F389 2002 NI 2

[F390 Pension enrolment N.I.

135D— (1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that—

(a) any action was taken, or was proposed to be taken, with a view to enforcing in favour of the employee a requirement to which this Article applies;

(b) the employer was prosecuted for an offence under section 45 of the Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 as a result of action taken for the purposes of enforcing in favour of the employee a requirement to which this Article applies; or

(c) any provision of Chapter 1 of that Part of that Act applies to the employee, or will or might apply.

(2) It is immaterial for the purposes of sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (1)—

(a) whether or not the requirement applies in favour of the employee, or

(b) whether or not the requirement has been contravened,

but, for that paragraph to apply, the claim that the requirement applies and, if applicable, the claim that it has been contravened must be made in good faith.

(3) This Article applies to any requirement imposed on the employer by or under any provision of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.

(4) In this Article references to enforcing a requirement include references to securing its benefit in any way.]

F390 Art. 135D inserted (30.6.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 57(2), 118(1) (with s. 73); S.R. 2012/266, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. 2

[F391 Blacklists N.I.

135F.— (1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal relates to a prohibited list, and either—

(a) the employer contravenes regulation 3 of the 2014 Regulations in relation to that prohibited list, or

(b) the employer—

(i) relies on information supplied by a person who contravenes that regulation in relation to that list, and

(ii) knows or ought reasonably to know that the information relied on is supplied in contravention of that regulation.

(2) If there are facts from which the tribunal could conclude, in the absence of any other explanation, that the employer—

(a) contravened regulation 3 of the 2014 Regulations, or

(b) relied on information supplied in contravention of that regulation,

the tribunal must find that such a contravention or reliance on information occurred, unless the employer shows that it did not.

(3) In this Article—

“the 2014 Regulations” means the Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014; and

“prohibited list” has the meaning given in those Regulations (see regulation 3(2)).]

F391 Art. 135F inserted (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(2)

X13 Trade union membership or activities N.I.

136.—(1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for his dismissal is that the employee—

(a) was, or proposed to become, a member of an independent trade union,F392 . . .

(b) had taken part, or proposed to take part, in the activities of an independent trade union at an appropriate time,F392 . . .

[F392 (ba) had made use, or proposed to make use, of trade union services at an appropriate time,

(bb) had failed to accept an offer made in contravention of Article 77A or 77B, or]

(c) was not a member of any trade union, or of a particular trade union, or of one of a number of particular trade unions, or had refused, or proposed to refuse, to become or remain a member.

(2) In paragraph[F392 (1)] “an appropriate time” means—

(a) a time outside the employee's working hours, or

(b) a time within his working hours at which, in accordance with arrangements agreed with or consent given by his employer, it is permissible for him to take part in the activities of a trade union[F392 or (as the case may be) make use of trade union services];

and for this purpose “working hours”, in relation to an employee, means any time when, in accordance with his contract of employment, he is required to be at work.

[F392 (2A) In this Article—

(a) “trade union services” means services made available to the employee by an independent trade union by virtue of his membership of the union, and

(b) references to an employee's “making use” of trade union services include his consenting to the raising of a matter on his behalf by an independent trade union of which he is a member.

(2B) Where the reason or one of the reasons for the dismissal was that an independent trade union (with or without the employee's consent) raised a matter on behalf of the employee as one of its members, the reason shall be treated as falling within paragraph (1)(ba).]

(3) Where the reason, or one of the reasons, for the dismissal was —

(a) the employee's refusal, or proposed refusal, to comply with a requirement (whether or not imposed by his contract of employment or in writing) that, in the event of his not being a member of any trade union, or of a particular trade union, or of one of a number of particular trade unions, he must make one or more payments, or

(b) his objection, or proposed objection, (however expressed) to the operation of a provision (whether or not forming part of his contract of employment or in writing) under which, in the event mentioned in sub-paragraph (a), his employer is entitled to deduct one or more sums from the remuneration payable to him in respect of his employment,

the reason shall be treated as falling within paragraph (1)(c).

(4) References in this Article to being or becoming a member of a trade union include references to being or becoming a member of a particular branch or section of that union or of one of a number of particular branches or sections of that trade unionF392 . . . .

[F392 (5) References in this Article—

(a) to taking part in the activities of a trade union, and

(b) to services made available by a trade union by virtue of membership of the union,

shall be construed in accordance with paragraph (4).]

Editorial Information

X13 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F392 2004 NI 19

X14 Redundancy N.I.

137.—(1) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if—

(a) the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that the employee was redundant,

(b) it is shown that the circumstances constituting the redundancy applied equally to one or more other employees in the same undertaking who held positions similar to that held by the employee and who have not been dismissed by the employer, and

F393 [F394 (c) it is shown that any of paragraphs (2A) to [F395 (7M)] apply.]

Para. (2) rep. by 1999 NI 9

[F396 (2A) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one of those specified in paragraph (1) of Article 130B (unless the case is one to which paragraph (2) of that Article applies).]

(3) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one of those specified in paragraph (1) of Article 132 (read with paragraphs (2) and (3) of that Article).

[F397 (3A) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one of those specified in Article 132A.]

(4) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was that specified in Article 133(1).

(5) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was that specified in Article 134.

[F398 (5A) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was that specified in Article 134A.]

(6) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one of those specified in paragraph (1) of Article 135 (read with paragraphs (2) and (3) of that Article).

[F399 (6A) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one of those specified in paragraph (1) of Article 135A (read with paragraph (2) of that Article).]

F400 [F401 (6B) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one of those specified in paragraph (1) of Article 135B (read with paragraph (2) of that Article).]

[F396 (6C) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one of those specified in Article 135C.]

(7) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one of those specified in Article 136(1) (read with paragraph (3) of that Article).

[F402 (7A) This paragraph applies if—

(a) the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was the reason mentioned in Article 144A (participation in official industrial action), and

(b) paragraph (3), (4) or (5) of that Article applies to the dismissal.]

[F403 (7B) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one specified in paragraph (3) or (6) of regulation 28 of the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 1999 (read with paragraphs (4) and (7) of that regulation).]

[F404 (7C) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one specified in paragraph (3) of regulation 7 of the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (unless the case is one to which paragraph (4) of that regulation applies).]

[F405 (7D) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one specified in paragraph (3) of regulation 6 of the Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (unless the case is one to which paragraph (4) of that regulation applies).]

[F406 (7E) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one specified in paragraph (3) or (6) of regulation 42 of the European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 (read with paragraphs (4) and (7) of that regulation).]

[F407 (7F) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one specified in paragraph (3) or (6) of regulation 30 of the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (read with paragraphs (4) and (7) of that regulation).]

[F408 (7G) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one specified in paragraph 5(3) or (5) of the Schedule to the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (read with paragraph 5(6) of that Schedule).]

[F409 [F410 (7H)] This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one specified in paragraph (3) or (6) of regulation 31 of the European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (read with paragraphs (4) and (7) of that regulation)]

[F411 (7H) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one specified in regulation 46 or 47 of the Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007.]

(7I) F412 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F413 (7J) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one of those specified in paragraph (1) of Article 135D (read with paragraph (2) of that Article).]

[F414 (7K) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one specified in paragraph (3) or (6) of regulation 29 of the European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2009 (S.I.2009/2402) (read with paragraphs (4) and (7) of that regulation).]

[F415 (7L) This paragraph applies if the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was one specified in paragraph (3) of regulation 17 of the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (unless the case is one to which paragraph (4) of that regulation applies).]

[F416 (7M) This paragraph applies if—

(a) the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was the one specified in the opening words of Article 135F(1), and

(b) the condition in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of that paragraph was met.]

(8) In this Part “redundancy case” means a case where sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (1) of this Article are satisfied.

Editorial Information

X14 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F393 By European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2059), regs. 2(2), 32(1)(a) (in their application in relation to Northern Ireland subject to the modifications in {Sch. 3 para. 11}) it is provided (18.8.2006) that in art. 137(1)(c) for "7F" there be substituted "7G"

F394 Art. 137(1)(c) substituted (6.4.2006) by Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/48), reg. 17, Sch. para. 6(2)(a)

F395 Word in art. 137(1)(c) substituted (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(3)(a)

F396 2004 NI 19

F397 SR 1998/386

F398 1998 NI 17

F399 1998 c. 39

F400 Art. 137(6B) insertion continued (1.9.2002 for certain purposes, otherwise prosp.) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 27, 61, Sch. 1 para. 4(3); S.I. 2002/1727, art. 2

F401 1999 c. 10

F402 1999 NI 9

F403 SI 1999/3323

F404 SR 2000/219

F405 SR 2002/298

F406 SR 2004/417

F407 SR 2005/47

F408 Art. 137(7G) inserted (6.4.2006) by Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/48), reg. 17, Sch. para. 6(2)(b)

F409 Art. 137(7G) inserted (18.8.2006) by virtue of European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2059), regs. 2(2), 32(1)(b) (in their application in relation to Northern Ireland subject to the modifications in {Sch. 3 para. 11})

F410 Art. 137(7G) renumbered (6.4.2007) as art. 137(7H) by Employment Equality (Age) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/225), reg. 3(2)(a)

F411 Art. 137(7H) inserted (15.12.2007) by virtue of Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2974), regs. 22(3), 48(1)(b), Sch. 2 para. 8

F412 Art. 137(7I) omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(4) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

F413 Art. 137(7J) inserted (30.6.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 57(4), 118(1) (with s. 73); S.R. 2012/266, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. 2

F414 Art. 137(7K) inserted (1.10.2009) by European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2402), reg. 30(2) (with reg. 39)

F415 Art. 137(7L) inserted (5.12.2011) by Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), Sch. 2 para. 14

F416 Art. 137(7M) inserted (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(3)(b)

X15 Replacements N.I.

138.—(1) Where this Article applies to an employee he shall be regarded for the purposes of Article 130(1)(b) as having been dismissed for a substantial reason of a kind such as to justify the dismissal of an employee holding the position which the employee held.

(2) This Article applies to an employee where—

(a) on engaging him the employer informs him in writing that his employment will be terminated on the resumption of work by another employee who is, or will be, absent wholly or partly because of pregnancy or childbirth,[F417 or on adoption leave] [F418 [F419 or shared parental leave] ,] and

(b) the employer dismisses him in order to make it possible to give work to the other employee.

(3) This Article also applies to an employee where—

(a) on engaging him the employer informs him in writing that his employment will be terminated on the end of a suspension of another employee from work on medical grounds or maternity grounds (within the meaning of Part VIII), and

(b) the employer dismisses him in order to make it possible to allow the resumption of work by the other employee.

(4) Paragraph (1) does not affect the operation of Article 130(4) in a case to which this Article applies.

Editorial Information

X15 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

F417 2002 NI 2

F418 Words in art. 138(2)(a) inserted (1.10.2010) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 13(1), Sch. 1 para. 41; S.R. 2010/295, art. 3(a)(d)

F419 Words in art. 138(2)(a) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(17); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d) (with art. 6(1))

X16 Pressure on employer to dismiss unfairly N.I.

139.—(1) This Article applies where there falls to be determined for the purposes of this Part a question—

(a) as to the reason, or principal reason, for which an employee was dismissed,

(b) whether the reason or principal reason for which an employee was dismissed was a reason fulfilling the requirement of Article 130(1)(b), or

(c) whether an employer acted reasonably in treating the reason or principal reason for which an employee was dismissed as a sufficient reason for dismissing him.

(2) In determining the question no account shall be taken of any pressure which by calling, organising, procuring or financing a strike or other industrial action, or threatening to do so, was exercised on the employer to dismiss the employee; and the question shall be determined as if no such pressure had been exercised.

Editorial Information

X16 The insertion of the new arts. 130ZA-130ZH preceded by new "Retirement" crossheading and followed by new "Other Dismissals" crossheading on 1.10.2006 gives rise to a change in the structure of this Order on legislation.gov.uk which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are brought under new "Other Dismissals" crossheading

Exclusion of right N.I.

Qualifying period of employment N.I.

140.—(1) Article 126 does not apply to the dismissal of an employee unless he has been continuously employed for a period of not less than [F420 one year] ending with the effective date of termination.

(2) If an employee is dismissed by reason of any such requirement or recommendation as is referred to in Article 96(2), paragraph (1) has effect in relation to that dismissal as if for the words[F420 one year] there were substituted the words “one month”.

(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply if—

Sub‐para. (a) rep. by 1999 NI 9

[F421 (aa) paragraph (1) of Article 130B (read with paragraph (2) of that Article) applies,]

[F421 (b) paragraph (1) of Article 131 (read with any regulations made under that Article) applies,]

(c) paragraph (1) of Article 132 (read with paragraphs (2) and (3) of that Article) applies,

[F422 (cc) Article 132A applies,]

(d) Article 133 applies,

(e) Article 134 applies,

[F423 (ee) Article 134A applies,]

(f) paragraph (1) of Article 135 (read with paragraphs (2) and (3) of that Article) applies,

[F424 (ff) paragraph (1) of Article 135A (read with paragraph (2) of that Article) applies,]

F425 [F426 (fg) paragraph (1) of Article 135B (read with paragraph (2) of that Article) applies,]

[F427 (fh) Article 135C applies;]

[F428 (fi) paragraph (1) of Article 135D (read with paragraph (2) of that Article) applies,]

[F429 (fk) paragraph (1) of Article 135F (read with paragraph (2) of that Article) applies,]

(g) Article 136 applies, or

(h) Article 137 appliesF430 . . .

[F431 (j) Article 144A appliesF432 . . . ]

[F433 (k) paragraph (3) or (6) of regulation 28 of the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 1999 (read with paragraphs (4) and (7) of that regulations) appliesF434 . . . ]

[F432 (l) paragraph (1) of regulation 7 of the Part‐time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 applies.F435 . . . ]

[F434 (m) paragraph (1) of regulation 6 of the Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 applies.F436 . . . ]

[F435 (n) paragraph (3) or (6) of regulation 42 of the European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 applies.F437 . . . ]

F438 [F436 (o) paragraph (3) or (6) of regulation 30 of the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (read with paragraphs (4) and (7) of that regulation) applies.]F439 [F440 . . .

(p) paragraph (3) or (6) of regulation 31 of the European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 applies][F441 , or

(p) paragraph 5(3) or (5) of the Schedule to the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (read with paragraph 5(6) of that Schedule) applies.][F442 or

(q) F443 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[F444 (q) regulation 46 or 47 of the Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007 applies][F445 , F446 . . .

(r) paragraph (1)(a) or (b) of regulation 29 of the European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2009 (S.I.2009/2402) applies,][F447 or

(s) paragraph (1) of regulation 17 of the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 applies.]

F420 SR 1999/277

F421 2004 NI 19

F422 SR 1998/386

F423 1998 NI 17

F424 1998 c. 39

F425 Art. 140(3)(fg) insertion continued (1.9.2002 for certain purposes, otherwise prosp.) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 27, Sch. 1 para. 4(4); S.I. 2002/1727, art. 2

F426 1999 c. 10

F427 2003 NI 15

F428 Art. 140(3)(fi) inserted (30.6.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 57(5), 118(1) (with s. 73); S.R. 2012/266, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. 2

F429 Art. 140(3)(fk) inserted (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(4)

F430 SI 1999/3323

F431 1999 NI 9

F432 SR 2000/219

F433 SI 1999/2232

F434 SR 2002/298

F435 SR 2004/417

F436 SR 2005/47

F437 Word in art. 140(3)(n) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/48), reg. 17, Sch. para. 6(3)(a)

F438 By Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2974), regs. 22(3), 48(2)(a), Sch. 2 para. 8 it is provided (15.12.2007) that in art. 140(3)(o) omit the word "or"

F439 Word in art. 140(3)(o) repealed (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53, Sch. 7 para. 3(5)(a), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50)

F440 Art. 140(3)(p) and preceding word inserted (18.8.2006) by virtue of European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2059), regs. 2(2), 32(2)(b) (in their application in relation to Northern Ireland subject to the modifications in {Sch. 3 para. 11})

F441 Art. 140(3)(p) and preceding words inserted (6.4.2006) by Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/48), reg. 17, Sch. para. 6(3)(b)

F442 Art. 140(3)(q) and preceding word inserted (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53(1), Sch. 7 para. 3(5)(b) (with reg. 50)

F443 Art. 140(3)(q) omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(5) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

F444 Art. 140(3)(q) and preceding word inserted (15.12.2007) by virtue of Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2974), regs. 22(3), 48(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 8

F445 Art. 140(3)(r) and preceding words inserted (1.10.2009) by European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2402), reg. 30(3) (with reg. 39)

F446 Word in art. 140(3) omitted (5.12.2011) by virtue of Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), Sch. 2 para. 15

F447 Art. 140(3)(s) and preceding word inserted (5.12.2011) by Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), Sch. 2 para. 15

Upper age limit N.I.

141.  F448 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F448 Art. 141 repealed (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53, Sch. 7 para. 3(6), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50)

Dismissal procedures agreements N.I.

142.—(1) Where a dismissal procedures agreement is designated by an order under paragraph (3) which is for the time being in force—

(a) the provisions of that agreement relating to dismissal shall have effect in substitution for any rights under Article 126, and

(b) accordingly, Article 126 does not apply to the dismissal of an employee from any employment if it is employment to which, and he is an employee to whom, those provisions of the agreement apply.

[F449 (2) But if the agreement includes provision that it does not apply to dismissals of particular descrtptions, pargraph (1) does not apply in relation to a dismissal of any such description.]

(3) An order designating a dismissal procedures agreement may be made by the Department, on an application being made to it jointly by all the parties to the agreement, if it is satisfied that—

(a) every trade union which is a party to the agreement is an independent trade union,

(b) the agreement provides for procedures to be followed in cases where an employee claims that he has been, or is in the course of being, unfairly dismissed,

(c) those procedures are available without discrimination to all employees falling within any description to which the agreement applies,

(d) the remedies provided by the agreement in respect of unfair dismissal are on the whole as beneficial as (but not necessarily identical with) those provided in respect of unfair dismissal by this Part,

[F449 (e) the agreement includes provision either for arbitration in every case or for—

(i) arbitration where (by reason of equality of votes or for any other reason) a decision under the agreement cannot otherwise be reached, and

(ii) a right to submit to arbitration any question of law arising out of such a decision, and]

(f) the provisions of the agreement are such that it can be determined with reasonable certainty whether or not a particular employee is one to whom the agreement applies.

F450 (4) If at any time when an order under paragraph (3) is in force in relation to a dismissal procedures agreement the Department is satisfied, whether on an application made to it by any of the parties to the agreement or otherwise, either—

(a) that it is the desire of all the parties to the agreement that the order should be revoked, or

(b) that the agreement no longer satisfies all the conditions specified in paragraph (3),

the Department shall revoke the order by an order under this paragraph.

(5) The transitional provisions which may be made in an order under paragraph (4) include, in particular, provisions directing—

(a) that an employee—

(i) shall not be excluded from his right under Article 126 where the effective date of termination falls within a transitional period which ends with the date on which the order takes effect and which is specified in the order, and

(ii) shall have an extended time for presenting a complaint under Article 145 in respect of a dismissal where the effective date of termination falls within that period, and

(b) that, where the effective date of termination falls within such a transitional period, an industrial tribunal shall, in determining any complaint of unfair dismissal presented by an employee to whom the dismissal procedures agreement applies, have regard to such considerations as are specified in the order (in addition to those specified in this Part and Article 12(4) and (5) of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996).

[F449 (6) Where an award is made under a designed dismissal procedures agreement it may be enforced, by leave of a county court, in the same manner as a judgement of the court to the same effect and, where leave is given, judgement may be entered in terms of the award.]

F449 1998 NI 8

F450 prosp. insertion by 2003 NI 15

Dismissal of those taking part in unofficial industrial action N.I.

143.—(1) Article 126 does not apply to the dismissal of an employee if at the time of dismissal he was taking part in an unofficial strike or other unofficial industrial action.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if—

[F451 (aa) paragraph (1) of Article 130B (read with paragraph (2) of that Article) applies;]

[F452 (a) Article 131 applies;]

(b) paragraph (1) of Article 132 (read with paragraphs (2) and (3) of that Article) applies,

[F453 (bb) Article 132A(d) applies,]

(c) Article 134 applies,

[F454 (cc) Article 134A applies;]

[F452 (ccc) Article 135 applies in relation to time off under Article 85A;]

Sub‐para. (d) rep. by 1999 NI 9

[F451 (d) Article 135C applies;]

[F455 (dd) Article 135D applies,]

(e) Article 137(1) and (3) applies, or

(f) Article 137(1) and (5) applies.

(3) A strike or other industrial action is unofficial in relation to an employee unless—

(a) he is a member of a trade union and the action is authorised or endorsed by that union, or

(b) he is not a member of a trade union but there are among those taking part in the industrial action members of a trade union by which the action has been authorised or endorsed;

but a strike or other industrial action shall not be regarded as unofficial if none of those taking part in it are members of a trade union.

(4) The provisions of Article 21(2) of the 1992 Order apply for the purpose of determining whether industrial action is to be taken to have been authorised or endorsed by a trade union.

(5) The question whether industrial action is to be so taken in any case shall be determined by reference to the facts as at the time of dismissal; but where an act is repudiated as mentioned in Article 21A of the 1992 Order, industrial action shall not thereby be treated as unofficial before the end of the next working day after the day on which the repudiation takes place.

(6) In this Article the “time of dismissal” means—

(a) where the employee's contract of employment is terminated by notice, when the notice is given,

(b) where the employee's contract of employment is terminated without notice, when the termination takes effect, and

(c) where the employee is employed under a contract for a fixed term which expires without being renewed under the same contract, when that term expires;

and a “working day” means any day which is not a Saturday or Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday under the [1971 c. 80.] Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.

(7) For the purposes of this Article membership of a trade union 7 for purposes unconnected with the employment in question shall be disregarded; but an employee who was a member of a trade union when he began to take part in industrial action shall continue to be treated as a member for the purpose of determining whether that action is unofficial in relation to him or another notwithstanding that II he may in fact have ceased to be a member.

F451 2004 NI 19

F452 1999 NI 9

F453 SR 1998/386

F454 1998 NI 17

F455 Art. 143(2)(dd) inserted (30.6.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 57(6), 118(1) (with s. 73); S.R. 2012/266, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. 2

Dismissals in connection with other industrial action N.I.

144.—(1) This Article applies in relation to an employee who has a right to complain of unfair dismissal (the “complainant”) and who claims to have been unfairly dismissed, where at the date of the dismissal—

(a) the employer was conducting or instituting a lock-out, or

(b) the complainant was taking part in a strike or other industrial action.

(2) This Article does not apply if—

[F456 (aa) paragraph (1) of Article 130B (read with paragraph (2) of that Article) applies;]

[F457 (a) Article 131 applies;]

(b) paragraph (1) of Article 132 (read with paragraphs (2) and (3) of that Article) applies,

[F458 (bb) Article 132A(d) applies,]

(c) Article 134 applies,

[F457 (cc) Article 135 applies in relation to time off under Article 85A;]

[F456 (d) Article 135C applies;]

[F459 (dd) Article 135D applies;]

(e) Article 137(1) and (3) applies, or

(f) Article 137(1) and (5) applies.

[F457 (2A) This Article does not apply in relation to an employee who is regarded as unfairly dismissed by virtue of Article 144A.]

(3) In a case where this Article applies an industrial tribunal shall not determine whether the dismissal was fair or unfair unless it is shown—

(a) that one or more relevant employees of the same employer have not been dismissed, or

(b) that a relevant employee has before the expiry of the period of three months beginning with the date of his dismissal been offered re-engagement and that the complainant has not been offered re-engagement.

(4) For this purpose “relevant employees” means—

(a) in relation to a lock-out, employees who were directly interested in the dispute in contemplation or furtherance of which the lock-out occurred, and

(b) in relation to a strike or other industrial action, those employees at the establishment of the employer at or from which the complainant works who at the date of his dismissal were taking part in the action.

(5) Nothing in Article 143 affects the question who are relevant employees for the purposes of this Article.

(6) An offer of re-engagement means an offer (made either by the original employer or by a successor of that employer or an associated employer) to re-engage an employee, either in the job which he held immediately before the date of dismissal or in a different job which would be reasonably suitable in his case.

(7) In this Article “date of dismissal” means—

(a) where the employee's contract of employment was terminated by notice, the date on which the employer's notice was given, and

(b) in any other case, the effective date of termination.

(8) Article 145(2) does not apply in relation to a complaint to which this Article[F457 or Article 144A] applies, but an industrial tribunal shall not consider such a complaint unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of six months beginning with the date of the complainant's dismissal; or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of six months.

(9) Where it is shown that the condition referred to in paragraph (3)(b) is fulfilled the references in Articles 130 to 138 to the reason or principal reason for which the complainant was dismissed shall be read as references to the reason or principal reason he has not been offered re-engagement.

F456 2004 NI 19

F457 1999 NI 9

F458 SR 1998/386

F459 Art. 144(2)(dd) inserted (30.6.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 57(7), 118(1) (with s. 73); S.R. 2012/266, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. 2

[F460 Participation in official industrial action N.I.

144A.— (1) For the purposes of this Article an employee takes protected industrial action if he commits an act which, or a series of acts each of which, he is induced to commit by an act which by virtue of Article 97 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Order is not actionable in tort.

(2) An employee who is dismissed shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as unfairly dismissed if—

(a) the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is that the employee took protected industrial action, and

(b) paragraph (3), (4) or (5) applies to the dismissal.

(3) This paragraph applies to a dismissal if[F461 the date of the dismissal is][F461 within the protected period.]

(4) This paragraph applies to a dismissal if—

(a) [F461 the date of the dismissal is] after the end of that period, and

(b) the employee had stopped taking protected industrial action before the end of that period.

(5) This paragraph applies to a dismissal if—

(a) [F461 the date of the dismissal is] after the end of that period,

(b) the employee had not stopped taking protected industrial action before the end of that period, and

(c) the employer had not taken such procedural steps as would have been reasonable for the purposes of resolving the dispute to which the protected industrial action relates.

(6) In determining whether an employer has taken those steps regard shall be had, in particular, to—

(a) whether the employer or a union had complied with procedures established by any applicable collective or other agreement;

(b) whether the employer or a union offered or agreed to commence or resume negotiations after the start of the protected industrial action;

(c) whether the employer or a union unreasonably refused, after the start of the protected industrial action, a request that conciliation services be used;

(d) whether the employer or a union unreasonably refused, after the start of the protected industrial action, a request that mediation services be used in relation to procedures to be adopted for the purposes of resolving the dispute.

[F461 (e) where there was agreement to use either of the services mentioned in sub-paragraphs (c) and (d), the matters specified in Article 144B.]

(7) In determining whether an employer has taken those steps no regard shall be had to the merits of the dispute.

[F461 (7A) For the purposes of this Article “the protected period”, in relation to the dismissal of an employee, is the sum of the basic period and any extension period in relation to that employee.

(7B) The basic period is 12 weeks beginning with the first day of protected industrial action.

(7C) An extension period in relation to an employee is a period equal to the number of days falling on or after the first day of protected industrial action (but before the protected period ends) during the whole or any part of which the employee is locked out by his employer.

(7D) In paragraphs (7B) and (7C), the “first day of protected industrial action” means the day on which the employee starts to take protected industrial action (even if on that day he is locked out by his employer).]

(8) For the purposes of this Article no account shall be taken of the repudiation of any act by a trade union as mentioned in Article 21A of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 in relation to anything which occurs before the end of the next working day (within the meaning of Article 143) after the day on which the repudiation takes place.

(9) In relation to a complaint under Article 145 that a dismissal was unfair by virtue of this Article—

(a) no order shall be made under Article 147 (reinstatement or re-engagement) until after the conclusion of protected industrial action by any employee in relation to the relevant dispute,

(b) regulations under Article 9 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 may make provision about the adjournment and renewal of applications (including provision requiring adjournment in specified circumstances), and

(c) regulations under Article 11 of that Order may require a pre-hearing review to be carried out in specified circumstances.

[F462 (10) In this Article “date of dismissal” has the meaning given by Article 144(7).]]

F460 1999 NI 9

F461 2004 NI 19

F462 2004 NI 19

[F463 Conciliation and mediation: supplementary provisions N.I.

144B.— (1) The matters referred to in paragraph (6)(e) of Article 144A are those specified in paragraphs (2) to (5); and references in this Article to “the service provider” are to any person who provided a service mentioned in paragraph (6)(c) or (d) of that Article.

(2) The first matter is: whether, at meetings arranged by the service provider, the employer or, as the case may be, a union was represented by an appropriate person.

(3) The second matter is: whether the employer or a union, so far as requested to do so, co-operated in the making of arrangements for meetings to be held with the service provider.

(4) The third matter is: whether the employer or a union fulfilled any commitment given by it during the provision of the service to take particular action.

(5) The fourth matter is: whether, at meetings arranged by the service provider between the parties making use of the service, the representatives of the employer or a union answered any reasonable question put to them concerning the matter subject to conciliation or mediation.

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (2) an “appropriate person” is—

(a) in relation to the employer—

(i) a person with the authority to settle the matter subject to conciliation or mediation on behalf of the employer, or

(ii) a person authorised by a person of that type to make recommendations to him with regard to the settlement of that matter, and

(b) in relation to a union, a person who is responsible for handling on the union's behalf the matter subject to conciliation or mediation.

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (4) regard may be had to any timetable which was agreed for the taking of the action in question or, if no timetable was agreed, to how long it was before the action was taken.

(8) In any proceedings in which regard must be had to the matters referred to in Article 144A(6)(e)—

(a) notes taken by or on behalf of the service provider shall not be admissible in evidence;

(b) the service provider must refuse to give evidence as to anything communicated to him in connection with the performance of his functions as a conciliator or mediator if, in his opinion, to give the evidence would involve his making a damaging disclosure; and

(c) the service provider may refuse to give evidence as to whether, for the purposes of paragraph (5), a particular question was or was not a reasonable one.

(9) For the purposes of paragraph (8)(b) a “damaging disclosure” is—

(a) a disclosure of information which is commercially sensitive, or

(b) a disclosure of information that has not previously been disclosed which relates to a position taken by a party using the conciliation or mediation service on the settlement of the matter subject to conciliation or mediation,

to which the person who communicated the information to the service provider has not consented.]

F463 2004 NI 19

CHAPTER II N.I. REMEDIES FOR UNFAIR DISMISSAL

Introductory N.I.

Complaints to industrial tribunal N.I.

145.—(1) A complaint may be presented to an industrial tribunal against an employer by any person that he was unfairly dismissed by the employer.

(2) [F464 Subject to the following provisions of this Article] , an industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented to the tribunal—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the effective date of termination, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F465 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where a dismissal is with notice, an industrial tribunal shall consider a complaint under this Article if it is presented after the notice is given but before the effective date of termination.

(4) In relation to a complaint which is presented as mentioned in paragraph (3), the provisions of this Order, so far as they relate to unfair dismissal, have effect as if—

(a) references to a complaint by a person that he was unfairly dismissed by his employer included references to a complaint by a person that his employer has given him notice in such circumstances that he will be unfairly dismissed when the notice expires,

(b) references to reinstatement included references to the withdrawal of the notice by the employer,

(c) references to the effective date of termination included references to the date which would be the effective date of termination on the expiry of the notice, and

(d) references to an employee ceasing to be employed included references to an employee having been given notice of dismissal.

[F466 (5) Where the dismissal is alleged to be unfair by virtue of Article 135F (blacklists)—

(a) paragraph (2)(b) does not apply, and

(b) an industrial tribunal may consider a complaint that is otherwise out of time if, in all the circumstances of the case, it considers that it is just and equitable to do so.]

F464 Words in art. 145(2) substituted (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(5)(a)

F465 Art. 145(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 37; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

F466 Art. 145(5) added (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(5)(b)

The remedies: orders and compensation N.I.

146.—(1) This Article applies where, on a complaint under Article 145, an industrial tribunal finds that the grounds of the complaint are well-founded.

(2) The tribunal shall—

(a) explain to the complainant what orders may be made under Article 147 and in what circumstances they may be made, and

(b) ask him whether he wishes the tribunal to make such an order.

(3) If the complainant expresses such a wish, the tribunal may make an order under Article 147.

(4) If no order is made under Article 147, the tribunal shall make an award of compensation for unfair dismissal (calculated in accordance with Articles 152 to[F467 161])F468 . . . to be paid by the employer to the employee.

[F469 (5) Where—

(a) an employee is regarded as unfairly dismissed by virtue of Article F470 . . . 130A(1) (whether or not his dismissal is unfair or regarded as unfair for any other reason), and

(b) an order is made in respect of the employee under Article 147,

the industrial tribunal shall, subject to paragraph (6), also make an award of four weeks' pay to be paid by the employer to the employee.

(6) An industrial tribunal shall not be required to make an award under paragraph (5) if it considers that such an award would result in injustice to the employer.]

F467 2003 NI 15

F468 1999 NI 9

F469 2003 NI 15

F470 Words in art. 146(5)(a) omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(6) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

Orders for reinstatement or re-engagement N.I.

The orders N.I.

147.  An order under this Article may be—

(a) an order for reinstatement (in accordance with Article 148),

(b) an order for re-engagement (in accordance with Article 149),

as the tribunal may decide.

Order for reinstatement N.I.

148.—(1) An order for reinstatement is an order that the employer shall treat the complainant in all respects as if he had not been dismissed.

(2) an order for reinstatement the tribunal shall specify—

(a) any amount payable by the employer in respect of any benefit which the complainant might reasonably be expected to have had but for the dismissal (including arrears of pay) for the period between the date of termination of employment and the date of reinstatement,

(b) any rights and privileges (including seniority and pension rights) which must be restored to the employee, and

(c) the date by which the order must be complied with.

(3) If the complainant would have benefited from an improvement in his terms and conditions of employment had he not been dismissed, an order for reinstatement shall require him to be treated as if he had benefited from that improvement from the date on which he would have done so but for being dismissed.

(4) In calculating for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a) any amount payable by the employer, the tribunal shall take into account, so as to reduce the employer's liability, any sums received by the complainant in respect of the period between the date of termination of employment and the date of reinstatement by way of—

(a) wages in lieu of notice or ex gratia payments paid by the employer, or

(b) remuneration paid in respect of employment with another employer,

and such other benefits as the tribunal thinks appropriate in the circumstances.

Para. (5) rep. by 1999 NI 9

Order for re-engagement N.I.

149.—(1) An order for re-engagement is an order, on such terms as the tribunal may decide, that the complainant be engaged by the employer, or by a successor of the employer or by an associated employer, in employment comparable to that from which he was dismissed or other suitable employment.

(2) On making an order for re-engagement the tribunal shall specify the terms on which re-engagement is to take place, including—

(a) the identity of the employer,

(b) the nature of the employment,

(c) the remuneration for the employment,

(d) any amount payable by the employer in respect of any benefit which the complainant might reasonably be expected to have had but for the dismissal (including arrears of pay) for the period between the date of termination of employment and the date of re-engagement,

(e) any rights and privileges (including seniority and pension rights) which must be restored to the employee, and

(f) the date by which the order must be complied with.

(3) In calculating for the purposes of paragraph (2)(d) any amount payable by the employer, the tribunal shall take into account, so as to reduce the employer's liability, any sums received by the complainant in respect of the period between the date of termination of employment and the date of re-engagement by way of—

(a) wages in lieu of notice or ex gratia payments paid by the employer, or

(b) remuneration paid in respect of employment with another employer,

and such other benefits as the tribunal thinks appropriate in the circumstances.

Para. (4) rep. by 1999 NI 9

Choice of order and its terms N.I.

150.—(1) In exercising its discretion under Article 147 the tribunal shall first consider whether to make an order for reinstatement and in so doing shall take into account—

(a) whether the complainant wishes to be reinstated,

(b) whether it is practicable for the employer to comply with an order for reinstatement, and

(c) where the complainant caused or contributed to some extent to the dismissal, whether it would be just to order his reinstatement.

(2) If the tribunal decides not to make an order for reinstatement it shall then consider whether to make an order for re-engagement and, if so, on what terms.

(3) In so doing the tribunal shall take into account—

(a) any wish expressed by the complainant as to the nature of the order to be made,

(b) whether it is practicable for the employer (or a successor or an associated employer) to comply with an order for re-engagement, and

(c) where the complainant caused or contributed to some extent to the dismissal, whether it would be just to order his re-engagement and (if so) on what terms.

(4) Except in a case where the tribunal takes into account contributory fault under paragraph (3)(c) it shall, if it orders re-engagement, do so on terms which are, so far as is reasonably practicable, as favourable as an order for reinstatement.

(5) Where in any case an employer has engaged a permanent replacement for a dismissed employee, the tribunal shall not take that fact into account in determining, for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) or (3)(b), whether it is practicable to comply with an order for reinstatement or re-engagement.

(6) Paragraph (5) does not apply where the employer shows—

(a) that it was not practicable for him to arrange for the dismissed employee's work to be done without engaging a permanent replacement, or

(b) that—

(i) he engaged the replacement after the lapse of a reasonable period, without having heard from the dismissed employee that he wished to be reinstated or re-engaged, and

(ii) when the employer engaged the replacement it was no longer reasonable for him to arrange for the dismissed employee's work to be done except by a permanent replacement.

Enforcement of order and compensation N.I.

151 .F471 —(1) An industrial tribunal shall make an award of compensation, to be paid by the employer to the employee, if—

(a) an order under Article 147 is made and the complainant is reinstated or re-engaged, but

(b) the terms of the order are not fully complied with.

(2) Subject to Article 158F472 . . . , the amount of the compensation shall be such as the tribunal thinks fit having regard to the loss sustained by the complainant in consequence of the failure to comply fully with the terms of the order.

[F473 (2A) There shall be deducted from any award under paragraph (1) the amount of any award made under Article 146(5) at the time of the order under Article 147.]

(3) Subject to paragraphs (1) and (2)F472 . . . , if an order under Article 147 is made but the complainant is not reinstated or re-engaged in accordance with the order, the tribunal shall make—

(a) an award of compensation for unfair dismissal (calculated in accordance with Articles 152 to[F474 161]), and

(b) except where this sub-paragraph does not apply, an additional award of compensation of[F472 an amount not less than twenty‐six nor more than fifty‐two weeks pay] ,

to be paid by the employer to the employee.

(4) Paragraph (3)(b) does not apply where—

(a) the employer satisfies the tribunal that it was not practicable to comply with the order,F472 . . .

Sub‐para. (b) rep. by 1999 NI 9

Paras. (5), (6) rep. by 1999 NI 9

(7) Where in any case an employer has engaged a permanent replacement for a dismissed employee, the tribunal shall not take that fact into account in determining for the purposes of paragraph (4)(a) whether it was practicable to comply with the order for reinstatement or re-engagement unless the employer shows that it was not practicable for him to arrange for the dismissed employee's work to be done without engaging a permanent replacement.

(8) Where in any case an industrial tribunal finds that the complainant has unreasonably prevented an order under Article 147 from being complied with, in making an award of compensation for unfair dismissalF475 . . . it shall take that conduct into account as a failure on the part of the complainant to mitigate his loss.

F471 mod. by SR 2002/120

F472 1999 NI 9

F473 2003 NI 15

F474 2003 NI 15

F475 1998 NI 8

Compensation N.I.

General N.I.

152.—(1) F476 . . . Where a tribunal makes an award of compensation for unfair dismissal under Article 146(4) or 151(3)(a) the award shall consist of—

(a) a basic award (calculated in accordance with Articles 153 to 156,160 and 161), and

(b) a compensatory award (calculated in accordance with Articles 157, 158[F477 , 158A], 160[F476 and 161F478 . . . ]).

• Paras. (2), (3) rep. by 1999 NI 9

• Para. (4) rep. by 2003 NI 15

F476 1999 NI 9

F477 Words in art. 152(1)(b) inserted (15.1.2006) by Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3424 (N.I. 20)), arts. 1(2), 5(2)

F478 2003 NI 15

Basic award N.I.

153.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Article, Articles 154 to 156 and Articles 160 and 161, the amount of the basic award shall be calculated by—

(a) determining the period, ending with the effective date of termination, during which the employee has been continuously employed,

(b) reckoning backwards from the end of that period the number of years of employment falling within that period, and

(c) allowing the appropriate amount for each of those years of employment.

(2) In paragraph (1)(c) “the appropriate amount” means—

(a) one and a half weeks' pay for a year of employment in which the employee was not below the age of forty-one,

(b) one week's pay for a year of employment (not within sub-paragraph (a)) in which he was not below the age of twenty-two, and

(c) half a week's pay for a year of employment not within sub-paragraph (a) or (b).

(3) Where twenty years of employment have been reckoned under paragraph (1), no account shall be taken under that paragraph of any year of employment earlier than those twenty years.

(4) F479 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) F479 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Para. (6) rep. by 1999 NI 9

F479 Art. 153(4)(5) repealed (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53, Sch. 7 para. 3(8), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50)

Basic award: minimum in certain cases N.I.

154.—(1) The amount of the basic award (before any reduction under Article 156) shall not be less than [F480 £8,139] where the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason)—

(a) in a redundancy case, for selecting the employee for dismissal, or

(b) otherwise, for the dismissal,

is one of those specified in Article 132(1)(a) and (b),[F481 132A(d),] 133(1), 134 or 136(1).

[F482 (1A) Where—

(a) an employee is regarded as unfairly dismissed by virtue of Article F483 . . . 130A(1) (whether or not his dismissal is unfair or regarded as unfair for any other reason),

(b) an award of compensation falls to be made under Article 146(4), and

(c) the amount of the award under Article 152(1)(a), before any reduction under Article 156(3A) or (4), is less than the amount of four weeks' pay,

the industrial tribunal shall, subject to paragraph (1B), increase the award under Article 152(1)(a) to the amount of four weeks' pay.

(1B) An industrial tribunal shall not be required by paragraph (1A) to increase the amount of an award if it considers that the increase would result in injustice to the employer.]

[F484 (1C) Where an employee is regarded as unfairly dismissed by virtue of Article 135F (blacklists) (whether or not the dismissal is unfair or regarded as unfair for any other reason), the amount of the basic award of compensation (before any reduction is made under Article 156) shall not be less than £5,700.]

Para. (2) rep. by 1999 NI 9

F480 Sum in art. 154(1) substituted (6.4.2023) by The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/36), art. 1(1), Sch.

F481 SR 1998/386

F482 2003 NI 15

F483 Words in art. 154(1A)(a) omitted (6.4.2011) by virtue of Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/168), reg. 3(7) (with regs. 4, 5, 7)

F484 Art. 154(1C) inserted (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(6)

Basic award of two weeks' pay in certain cases N.I.

155.  The amount of the basic award shall be two weeks' pay where the tribunal finds that the reason (or, where there is more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal of the employee is that he was redundant and the employee—

(a) by virtue of Article 173 is not regarded as dismissed for the purposes of Part XII, or

(b) by virtue of Article 176 is not, or (if he were otherwise entitled) would not be, entitled to a redundancy payment.

Basic award: reductions N.I.

156.—(1) Where the tribunal finds that the complainant has unreasonably refused an offer by the employer which (if accepted) would have the effect of reinstating the complainant in his employment in all respects as if he had not been dismissed, the tribunal shall reduce or further reduce the amount of the basic award to such extent as it considers just and equitable having regard to that finding.

(2) Where the tribunal considers that any conduct of the complainant before the dismissal (or, where the dismissal was with notice, before the notice was given) was such that it would be just and equitable to reduce or further reduce the amount of the basic award to any extent, the tribunal shall reduce or further reduce that amount accordingly.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply in a redundancy case unless the reason for selecting the employee for dismissal was one of those specified in Article 132(1)(a) and (b),[F485 132A(d),] 133(1), 134 or 136(1); and in such a case paragraph (2) applies only to so much of the basic award as is payable because of Article 154.

[F486 (3A) Where the complainant has been awarded any amount in respect of the dismissal under a designated dismissal procedures agreement, the tribunal shall reduce or further reduce the amount of the basic award to such extent as it considers just and equitable having regard to that award.]

(4) The amount of the basic award shall be reduced or further reduced by the amount of—

(a) any redundancy payment awarded by the tribunal under Part XII in respect of the same dismissal, or

(b) any payment made by the employer to the employee on the ground that the dismissal was by reason of redundancy (whether in pursuance of Part XII or otherwise).

[F487 (5) Where a dismissal is regarded as unfair by virtue of Article 135F (blacklists), the amount of the basic award shall be reduced or further reduced by the amount of any basic award under Article 154(1) in respect of the same dismissal under Article 136(1) (dismissal on grounds related to trade union membership or activities) or Article 137(1) and (7) (selection for redundancy on grounds related to trade union membership or activities).]

F485 SR 1998/386

F486 1998 NI 8

F487 Art. 156(5) added (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(7)

Compensatory award N.I.

157.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Article and Articles 158 [F488 , 158A], 160[F489 and 161], the amount of the compensatory award shall be such amount as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard to the loss sustained by the complainant in consequence of the dismissal in so far as that loss is attributable to action taken by the employer.

(2) The loss referred to in paragraph (1) shall be taken to include—

(a) any expenses reasonably incurred by the complainant in consequence of the dismissal, and

(b) subject to paragraph (3), loss of any benefit which he might reasonably be expected to have had but for the dismissal.

(3) The loss referred to in paragraph (1) shall be taken to include in respect of any loss of—

(a) any entitlement or potential entitlement to a payment on account of dismissal by reason of redundancy (whether in pursuance of Part XII or otherwise), or

(b) any expectation of such a payment,

only the loss referable to the amount (if any) by which the amount of that payment would have exceeded the amount of a basic award (apart from any reduction under Article 156) in respect of the same dismissal.

(4) In ascertaining the loss referred to in paragraph (1) the tribunal shall apply the same rule concerning the duty of a person to mitigate his loss as applies to damages recoverable under the common law of Northern Ireland.

(5) In determining, for the purposes of paragraph (1), how far any loss sustained by the complainant was attributable to action taken by the employer, no account shall be taken of any pressure which by—

(a) calling, organising, procuring or financing a strike or other industrial action, or

(b) threatening to do so,

was exercised on the employer to dismiss the employee; and that question shall be determined as if no such pressure had been exercised.

(6) Where the tribunal finds that the dismissal was to any extent caused or contributed to by any action of the complainant, it shall reduce the amount of the compensatory award by such proportion as it considers just and equitable having regard to that finding.

[F490 (6A) Where—

(a) the reason (or principal reason) for the dismissal is that the complainant made a protected disclosure; and

(b) it appears to the tribunal that the disclosure was not made in good faith,

the tribunal may, if it considers it just and equitable in all the circumstances to do so, reduce any award it makes to the worker by no more than 25%.]

(7) If the amount of any payment made by the employer to the employee on the ground that the dismissal was by reason of redundancy (whether in pursuance of Part XII or otherwise) exceeds the amount of the basic award which would be payable but for Article 156(4), that excess goes to reduce the amount of the compensatory award.

[F491 (8) Where the amount of the compensatory award falls to be calculated for the purposes of an award under Article 151(3)(a), there shall be deducted from the compensatory award any award made under Article 146(5) at the time of the order under Article 147.]

F488 Words in art. 157(1) inserted (15.1.2006) by Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3424 (N.I. 20)), arts. 1(2), 5(2)

F489 2003 NI 15

F490 Art. 157(6A) inserted (1.10.2017) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 14(5), 29(2); S.R. 2017/199, art. 2

F491 2003 NI 15

Limit of compensatory award etc. N.I.

158.—(1) The amount of—

(a) any compensation awarded to a person under Article 151(1) and (2), or

(b) a compensatory award to a person calculated in accordance with Article 157,

shall not exceed [F492 £105,915].

[F493 (1A) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to compensation awarded, or a compensatory award made, to a person in a case where he is regarded as unfairly dismissed by virtue of Article 132, 134A, [F494 135F,] 137(3) or 137(5A).]

[F495 (1B) Where an employee is regarded as unfairly dismissed by virtue of Article 135F (blacklists) (whether or not the dismissal is unfair or regarded as unfair for any other reason), the amount of award of compensation shall not exceed £76,600.]

Para. (2) rep. by 1999 NI 9

(3) In the case of compensation awarded to a person under Article 151(1) and (2), the limit imposed by this Article may be exceeded to the extent necessary to enable the award fully to reflect the amount specified as payable under Article 148(2)(a) or Article 149(2)(d).

(4) Where—

(a) a compensatory award is an award under sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (3) of Article 151, and

(b) an additional award falls to be made under sub-paragraph (b) of that paragraph,

the limit imposed by this Article on the compensatory award may be exceeded to the extent necessary to enable the aggregate of the compensatory and additional awards fully to reflect the amount specified as payable under Article 148(2)(a) or Article 149(2)(d).

(5) The limit imposed by this Article applies to the amount which the industrial tribunal would, apart from this Article, award in respect of the subject matter of the complaint after taking into account—

(a) any payment made by the respondent to the complainant in respect of that matter, and

(b) any reduction in the amount of the award required by any statutory provision or rule of law.

F492 Sum in art. 158(1) substituted (6.4.2023) by The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/36), art. 1(1), Sch.

F493 1999 NI 9

F494 Word in art. 158(1A) inserted (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(8)(a)

F495 Art. 158(1B) inserted (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(8)(b)

[F496 Adjustments under the Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 N.I.

158A.   Where an award of compensation for unfair dismissal falls to be—

(a) reduced or increased under Article 17 of the Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (non-completion of statutory procedures); or

(b) increased under Article 27 of that Order (failure to give statement of employment particulars),

the adjustment shall be in the amount awarded under Article152(1)(b) and shall be applied immediately before any reduction under Article 157(6) or (7).]

F496 2003 NI 15

Art. 159 rep. by 1999 NI 9

Acts which are both unfair dismissal and discrimination N.I.

160.— [F497 (1) Where compensation falls to be awarded in respect of any act both under—

(a) the provisions of this Order relating to unfair dismissal, and

[F498 (b) any one or more of the following—

(i) the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976;

(ii) the Disability Discrimination Act 1995;

(iii) the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997;

(iv) the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003;

(v) the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006.]

an industrial tribunal shall not award compensation under any one of thoseF499 . . . Orders[F500 or Regulations] in respect of any loss or other matter which is or has been taken into account under[F499 any other of them] by the tribunal (or another industrial tribunal) in awarding compensation on the same or another complaint in respect of that act.]

(2) Where compensation falls to be awarded in respect of any act both under the[F501 Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998] and under the provisions of this Order relating to unfair dismissal, an industrial tribunal shall not award compensation under this Order in respect of any loss or other matter which has been taken into account under[F501 the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998] by the Fair Employment Tribunal for Northern Ireland in awarding compensation on a complaint in respect of that act.

F497 1997 NI 6

F498 Art. 160(1)(b) substituted (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53(1), Sch. 7 para. 3(10) (with reg. 50)

F499 1998 NI 8

F500 SR 2003/497

F501 1998 NI 21

Matters to be disregarded in assessing contributory fault N.I.

161.—(1) Where an industrial tribunal makes an award of compensation for unfair dismissal in a case where the dismissal is unfair by virtue of Article 136 or Article 137(1) and (7), the tribunal shall disregard, in considering whether it would be just and equitable to reduce, or further reduce, the amount of any part of the award, any such conduct or action of the complainant as is specified below.

(2) Conduct or action of the complainant shall be disregarded in so far as ,it constitutes a breach or proposed breach of a requirement—

(a) to be or become a member of any trade union or of a particular trade union or of one of a number of particular trade unions,

(b) to cease to be, or refrain from becoming, a member of any trade union or of a particular trade union or of one of a number of particular trade unions,F502 . . .

(c) not to take part in the activities of any trade union or of a particular trade union or of one of a number of particular trade unions[F502 , or]

[F502 (d) not to make use of services made available by any trade union or by a particular trade union or by one of a number of particular trade unions.]

.

For the purposes of this paragraph a requirement means a requirement imposed on the complainant by or under an arrangement or contract of employment or other agreement.

[F502 (2A) Conduct or action of the complainant shall be disregarded in so far as it constitutes acceptance of or failure to accept an offer made in contravention of Article 77A or 77B.]

(3) Conduct or action of the complainant shall be disregarded in so far as it constitutes a refusal, or proposed refusal, to comply with a requirement of a kind mentioned in Article 136(3)(a) or an objection, or proposed, objection, (however expressed) to the operation of a provision of a kind mentioned in Article 136(3)(b)).

F502 2004 NI 19

Art. 162 rep. by 1999 NI 9

Art. 162A rep. by 2003 NI 15

Art. 162B rep. by 1999 NI 9

Interim relief N.I.

Interim relief pending determination of complaint N.I.

163.— [F503 (1) An employee who presents a complaint to an industrial tribunal that he has been unfairly dismissed and—

(a) that the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is one of those specified in—

(i) Article 132(1)(a) and (b), 132A(1)(d), 133(1), 134, 134A or 136(1), or

(ii) paragraph 161(2) of Schedule 1A to the Trade Union and Labour Relations Order, or

(b) that the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was the one specified in the opening words of Article 135F(1) and the condition in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of that paragraph was met,

may apply to the tribunal for interim relief.]

(2) The tribunal shall not entertain an application for interim relief unless it is presented to the tribunal before the end of the period of seven days immediately following the effective date of termination (whether before, on or after that date).

(3) In a case where the employee relies on[F504 Article 136(1)(a), (b) or (ba), or on Article 136(1)(bb) otherwise than in relation to an offer made in contravention of Article 77A(1)(d),] the tribunal shall not entertain an application for interim relief unless before the end of that period there is also so presented a certificate in writing signed by an authorised official of the independent trade union of which the employee was or proposed to become a member stating—

(a) that on the date of the dismissal the employee was or proposed to become a member of the union, and

(b) that there appear to be reasonable grounds for supposing that the reason for his dismissal (or, if more than one, the principal reason) was one alleged in the complaint.

(4) An “authorised official” means an official of the trade union authorised by it to act for the purposes of this Article.

(5) A document purporting to be an authorisation of an official by a trade union to act for the purposes of this Article and to be signed on behalf of the union shall be taken to be such an authorisation unless the contrary is proved; and a document purporting to be a certificate signed by such an official shall be taken to be signed by him unless the contrary is proved.

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (3) the date of dismissal shall be taken to be—

(a) where the employee's contract of employment was terminated by notice (whether given by his employer or by him), the date on which the notice was given, and

(b) in any other case, the effective date of termination.

(7) The tribunal shall determine the application for interim relief as soon as practicable after receiving the application and, where appropriate, the requisite certificate.

(8) The tribunal shall give to the employer not later than seven days before the date of the hearing a copy of the application and of any certificate together with notice of the date, time and place of the hearing.

(9) If a request under Article 169 is made three days, or more before the date of the hearing, the tribunal shall also give to the person to whom the request relates, as soon as reasonably practicable, a copy of the application and of any certificate, together with notice of the date, time and place of the hearing.

(10) The tribunal shall not exercise any power it has of postponing the hearing of an application for interim relief except where it is satisfied that special circumstances exist which justify it in doing so.

F503 Art. 163(1) substituted (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(9)

F504 2004 NI 19

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C68 Arts. 163-167 applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 para. 13(6) (with reg. 50)

Procedure on hearing of application and making of order N.I.

164.— [F505 (1) This Article applies where, on hearing an employee’s application for interim relief, it appears to the tribunal that it is likely that on determining the complaint to which the application relates the tribunal will find—

(a) that the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for the dismissal is one of those specified in—

(i) Article 132(1)(a) and (b), 132A(1)(d), 133(1), 134, 134A or 136(1), or

(ii) paragraph 161(2) of Schedule 1A to the Trade Union and Labour Relations Order, or

(b) that the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was the one specified in the opening words of Article 135F(1) and the condition in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of that paragraph was met.]

(2) The tribunal shall announce its findings and explain to both parties (if present)—

(a) what powers the tribunal may exercise on the application, and

(b) in what circumstances it will exercise them.

(3) The tribunal shall ask the employer (if present) whether he is willing, pending the determination or settlement of the complaint—

(a) to reinstate the employee (that is, to treat him in all respects as if he had not been dismissed), or

(b) if not, to re-engage him in another job on terms and conditions not less favourable than those which would have been applicable to him if he had not been dismissed.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b) “terms and conditions not less favourable than those which would have been applicable to him if he had not been dismissed” means, as regards seniority, pension rights and other similar rights, that the period prior to the dismissal should be regarded as continuous with his employment following the dismissal.

(5) If the employer states that he is willing to reinstate the employee, the tribunal shall make an order to that effect.

(6) If the employer—

(a) states that he is willing to re-engage the employee in another job, and

(b) specifies the terms and conditions on which he is willing to do so,

the tribunal shall ask the employee whether he is willing to accept the job on those terms and conditions.

(7) If the employee is willing to accept the job on those terms and conditions, the tribunal shall make an order to that effect.

(8) If the employee is not willing to accept the job on those terms and conditions—

(a) where the tribunal is of the opinion that the refusal is reasonable, the tribunal shall make an order for the continuation of his contract of employment, and

(b) otherwise, the tribunal shall make no order.

(9) If on the hearing of an application for interim relief the employer—

(a) fails to attend before the tribunal, or

(b) states that he is unwilling either to reinstate or re-engage the employee as mentioned in paragraph (3),

the tribunal shall make an order for the continuation of the employee's contract of employment.

F505 Art. 164(1) substituted (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 12(10)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C69 Arts. 163-167 applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 para. 13(6) (with reg. 50)

Order for continuation of contract of employment N.I.

165.—(1) An order under Article 164 for the continuation of a contract of employment is an order that the contract of employment continue in force—

(a) for the purposes of pay or any other benefit derived from the employment, seniority, pension rights and other similar matters, and

(b) for the purposes of determining for any purpose the period for which the employee has been continuously employed,

from the date of its termination (whether before or after the making of the order) until the determination or settlement of the complaint.

(2) Where the tribunal makes such an order it shall specify in the order the amount which is to be paid by the employer to the employee by way of pay in respect of each normal pay period, or part of any such period, falling between the date of dismissal and the determination or settlement of the complaint.

(3) Subject to the following provisions, the amount so specified shall be that which the employee could reasonably have been expected to earn during that period, or part, and shall be paid—

(a) in the case of a payment for any such period falling wholly or partly after the making of the order, on the normal pay day for that period, and

(b) in the case of a payment for any past period, within such time as may be specified in the order.

(4) If an amount is payable in respect only of part of a normal pay period, the amount shall be calculated by reference to the whole period and reduced proportionately.

(5) Any payment made to an employee by an employer under his contract of employment, or by way of damages for breach of that contract, in respect of a normal pay period, or part of any such period, goes towards discharging the employer's liability in respect of that period under paragraph (2); and, conversely, any payment under that paragraph in respect of a period goes towards discharging any liability of the employer under, or in respect of breach of, the contract of employment in respect of that period.

(6) If an employee, on or after being dismissed by his employer, receives a lump sum which, or part of which, is in lieu of wages but is not referable to any normal pay period, the tribunal shall take the payment into account in determining the amount of pay to be payable in pursuance of any such order.

(7) For the purposes of this Article, the amount which an employee could reasonably have been expected to earn, his normal pay period and the normal pay day for each such period shall be determined as if he had not been dismissed.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C70 Arts. 163-167 applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 para. 13(6) (with reg. 50)

Application for variation or revocation of order N.I.

166.—(1) At any time between—

(a) the making of an order under Article 164, and

(b) the determination or settlement of the complaint,

the employer or the employee may apply to an industrial tribunal for the revocation or variation of the order on the ground of a relevant change of circumstances since the making of the order.

(2) Articles 163 and 164 apply in relation to such an application as in relation to an original application for interim relief except that —

(a) no certificate need be presented to the tribunal under Article 163(3), and

(b) in the case of an application by the employer, Article 163(8) has effect with the substitution of a reference to the employee for the reference to the employer.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C71 Arts. 163-167 applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 para. 13(6) (with reg. 50)

Consequence of failure to comply with order N.I.

167.—(1) If, on the application of an employee, an industrial tribunal is satisfied that the employer has not complied with the terms of an order for the reinstatement or re-engagement of the employee under Article 164(5) or (7), the tribunal shall—

(a) make an order for the continuation of the employee's contract of employment, and

(b) order the employer to pay compensation to the employee.

(2) on under paragraph (1)(b) shall be of such amount as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard—

(a) to the infringement of the employee's right to be reinstated or re-engaged in pursuance of the order, and

(b) to any loss suffered by the employee in consequence of the non-compliance.

(3) Article 165 applies to an order under paragraph (1)(a) as in relation to an order under Article 164.

(4) If on the application of an employee an industrial tribunal is satisfied that the employer has not complied with the terms of an order for the continuation of a contract of employment paragraph (5) or (6) applies.

(5) Where the non-compliance consists of a failure to pay an amount by way of pay specified in the order—

(a) the tribunal shall determine the amount owed by the employer on the date of the determination, and

(b) if on that date the tribunal also determines the employee's complaint that he has been unfairly dismissed, it shall specify that amount separately from any other sum awarded to the employee.

(6) In any other case, the tribunal shall order the employer to pay the employee such compensation as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard to any loss suffered by the employee in consequence of the non-compliance.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C72 Arts. 163-167 applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 51, Sch. 5 para. 13(6) (with reg. 50)

CHAPTER III N.I. SUPPLEMENTARY

Death of employer or employee N.I.

168.—(1) Where—

(a) an employer has given notice to an employee to terminate his contract of employment, and

(b) before that termination the employee or the employer dies,

this Part applies as if the contract had been duly terminated by the employer by notice expiring on the date of the death.

(2) Where—

(a) an employee's contract of employment has been terminated,

(b) by virtue of paragraph (2) or (4) of Article 129 a date later than the effective date of termination as defined in paragraph (1) of that Article is to be treated for certain purposes as the effective date of termination, and

(c) the employer or the employee dies before that date,

paragraph (2) or (4) of Article 129 applies as if the notice referred to in that paragraph as required by Article 118 expired on the date of the death.

(3) Where an employee has died, Articles 147 to 150 do not apply; and, accordingly, if the industrial tribunal finds that the grounds of the complaint are well-founded, the case shall be treated as falling within Article 146(4) as a case in which no order is made under Article 147.

(4) Paragraph (3) does not prejudice an order for reinstatement or re-engagement made before the employee's death.

(5) Where an order for reinstatement or re-engagement has been made and the employee dies before the order is complied with—

(a) if the employer has before the death refused to reinstate or re-engage the employee in accordance with the order, paragraphs (3) to (6) of Article 151 apply, and an award shall be made under paragraph (3)(b) of that Article, unless the employer satisfies the tribunal that it was not practicable at the time of the refusal to comply with the order, and

(b) if there has been no such refusal, paragraphs (1) and (2) of that Article apply if the employer fails to comply with any ancillary terms of the order which remain capable of fulfilment after the employee's death as they would apply to such a failure to comply fully with the terms of an order where the employee had been reinstated or re-engaged.

Awards against third parties N.I.

169.—(1) If in proceedings before an industrial tribunal on a complaint of unfair dismissal either the employer or the complainant claims—

(a) that the employer was induced to dismiss the complainant by pressure which a trade union or other person exercised on the employer by calling, organising, procuring or financing a strike or other industrial action, or by threatening to do so, and

(b) that the pressure was exercised because the complainant was not a member of any trade union or of a particular trade union or of one of a number of particular trade unions,

the employer or the complainant may request the tribunal to direct that the person who he claims exercised the pressure be joined as a party to the proceedings.

(2) The request shall be granted if it is made before the hearing of the complaint begins, but may be refused after that time; and no such request may be made after the tribunal has made an award of compensation for unfair dismissal or an order under Article 147.

(3) Where a person has been so joined as a party to the proceedings and the tribunal—

(a) makes an award of compensation for unfair dismissal, and

(b) finds that the claim mentioned in paragraph (1) is well-founded,

the tribunal may order that the compensation shall be paid by that person instead of the employer, or partly by that person and partly by the employer, as the tribunal may consider just and equitable.

[F506 Application to police N.I.

169A.— (1) For the purposes of Article 132, and of the other provisions of this Part so far as relating to the right not to be unfairly dismissed in a case where the dismissal is unfair by virtue of Article 132, the holding, otherwise than under a contract of employment, of the office of constable shall be treated as employment by the relevant officer under a contract of employment.

[F507 (2) In this Article “the relevant officer”, in relation to a person holding the office of constable, means the person who under Article 47A of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 is to be treated as his employer for the purposes of Part II of that Order.]]

F506 1997 NI 16

F507 Art. 169A(2) substituted (25.7.2006 with effect as mentioned in s. 27(4) of the amending Act) by Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 33), ss. 27(2)(b)(3), 31(1)(f) (with s. 27(5))

PART XII N.I. REDUNDANCY PAYMENTS ETC.

CHAPTER I N.I. RIGHT TO REDUNDANCY PAYMENT

The right N.I.

170.—(1) An employer shall pay a redundancy payment to any employee of his if the employee—

(a) is dismissed by the employer by reason of redundancy, or

(b) is eligible for a redundancy payment by reason of being laid off or kept on short-time.

(2) Paragraph (1) has effect subject to the following provisions of this Part (including, in particular, Articles 175 to 179, 184 to 187, 190 to 196 and 199).

CHAPTER II N.I. RIGHT ON DISMISSAL BY REASON OF REDUNDANCY

Dismissal by reason of redundancy N.I.

Circumstances in which an employee is dismissed N.I.

171.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Article and Articles 172 and 173, for the purposes of this Part an employee is dismissed by his employer if (and only if)—

(a) the contract under which he is employed by the employer is terminated by the employer (whether with or without notice),

[F508 (b) he is employed under a limited-term contract and that contract terminates by virtue of the limiting event without being renewed, or]

(c) the employee terminates the contract under which he is employed (with or without notice) in circumstances in which he is entitled to terminate it without notice by reason of the employer's conduct.

(2) Paragraph (1)(c) does not apply if the employee terminates the contract without notice in circumstances in which he is entitled to do so by reason of a lock-out by the employer.

(3) An employee shall be taken to be dismissed by his employer for the purposes of this Part if—

(a) the employer gives notice to the employee to terminate his contract of employment, and

(b) at a time within the obligatory period of notice the employee gives notice in writing to the employer to terminate the contract of employment on a date earlier than the date on which the employer's notice is due to expire.

(4) In this Part the “obligatory period of notice”, in relation to notice given by an employer to terminate an employee's contract of employment, means—

(a) the actual period of the notice in a case where the period beginning at the time when the notice is given and ending at the time when it expires is equal to the minimum period which (by virtue of any statutory provision or otherwise) is required to be given by the employer to terminate the contract of employment, and

(b) the period which—

(i) is equal to the minimum period referred to in sub-paragraph (a), and

(ii) ends at the time when the notice expires,

in any other case.

(5) Where in accordance with any statutory provision or rule of law —

(a) an act on the part of an employer, or

(b) an event affecting an employer (including, in the case of an individual, his death),

operates to terminate a contract under which an employee is employed by him, the act or event shall be taken for the purposes of this Part to be a termination of the contract by the employer.

F508 SR 2002/298

Art. 172 rep. by 1999 NI 9

No dismissal in cases of renewal of contract or re-engagement N.I.

173.—(1) Where—

(a) an employee's contract of employment is renewed, or he is re-engaged under a new contract of employment in pursuance of an offer (whether in writing or not) made before the end of his employment under the previous contract, and

(b) the renewal or re-engagement takes effect either immediately on, or after an interval of not more than four weeks after, the end of that employment,

the employee shall not be regarded for the purposes of this Part as dismissed by his employer by reason of the ending of his employment under the previous contract.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if—

(a) the provisions of the contract as renewed, or of the new contract, as to—

(i) the capacity and place in which the employee is employed, and

(ii) the other terms and conditions of his employment,

differ (wholly or in part) from the corresponding provisions of the previous contract, and

(b) during the period specified in paragraph (3)—

(i) the employee (for whatever reason) terminates the renewed or new contract, or gives notice to terminate it and it is in consequence terminated, or

(ii) the employer, for a reason connected with or arising out of any difference between the renewed or new contract and the previous contract, terminates the renewed or new contract, or gives notice to terminate it and it is in consequence terminated.

(3) The period referred to in paragraph (2)(b) is the period—

(a) beginning at the end of the employee's employment under the previous contract, and

(b) ending with—

(i) the period of four weeks beginning with the date on which the employee starts work under the renewed or new contract, or

(ii) such longer period as may be agreed in accordance with paragraph (6) for the purpose of retraining the employee for employment under that contract;

and is in this Part referred to as the “trial period”.

(4) Where paragraph (2) applies, for the purposes of this Part—

(a) the employee shall be regarded as dismissed on the date on which his employment under the previous contract (or, if there has been more than one trial, period, the original contract) ended, and

(b) the reason for the dismissal shall be taken to be the reason for which the employee was then dismissed, or would have been dismissed had the offer (or original offer) of renewed or new employment not been made, or the reason which resulted in that offer being made.

(5) Paragraph (2) does not apply if the employee's contract of employment is again renewed, or he is again re-engaged under a new contract of employment, in circumstances such that paragraph (1) again applies.

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b)(ii) a period of retraining is agreed in accordance with this paragraph only if the agreement—

(a) is made between the employer and the employee or his representative before the employee starts work under the contract as renewed, or the new contract,

(b) is in writing,

(c) specifies the date on which the period of retraining ends, and

(d) specifies the terms and conditions of employment which will apply in the employee's case after the end of that period.

Redundancy N.I.

174.—(1) For the purposes of this Order an employee who is dismissed shall be taken to be dismissed by reason of redundancy if the dismissal is wholly or mainly attributable to—

(a) the fact that his employer has ceased or intends to cease—

(i) to carry on the business for the purposes of which the employee was employed by him, or

(ii) to carry on that business in the place where the employee was so employed, or

(b) the fact that the requirements of that business—

(i) for employees to carry out work of a particular kind, or

(ii) for employees to carry out work of a particular kind in the place where the employee was employed by the employer,

have ceased or diminished or are expected to cease or diminish.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) the business of the employer together with the business or businesses of his associated employers shall be treated as one (unless either of the conditions specified in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of that paragraph would be satisfied without so treating them).

(3) Where—

(a) the contract under which a person is employed is treated by Article 171(5) as terminated by his employer by reason of an act or event, and

(b) the employee's contract is not renewed and he is not re-engaged under a new contract of employment,

he shall be taken for the purposes of this Order to be dismissed by reason of redundancy if the circumstances in which his contract is not renewed, and he is not re-engaged, are wholly or mainly attributable to either of the facts stated in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (1).

(4) In its application to a case within paragraph (3), sub-paragraph (a)(i) of paragraph (1) has effect as if the reference in that paragraph to the employer included a reference to any person to whom, in consequence of the act or event, power to dispose of the business has passed.

(5) In paragraph (1) “cease” and “diminish” mean cease and diminish either permanently or temporarily and for whatever reason.

Exclusions N.I.

Summary dismissal N.I.

175.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), an employee is not entitled to a redundancy payment by reason of dismissal where his employer, being entitled to terminate his contract of employment without notice by reason of the employee's conduct, terminates it either—

(a) without notice,

(b) by giving shorter notice than that which, in the absence of conduct entitling the employer to terminate the contract without notice, the employer would be required to give to terminate the contract, or

(c) by giving notice which includes, or is accompanied by, a statement in writing that the employer would, by reason of the employee's conduct, be entitled to terminate the contract without notice.

(2) Where an employee who—

(a) has been given notice by his employer to terminate his contract of employment, or

(b) has given notice to his employer under Article 183(1) indicating his intention to claim a redundancy payment in respect of lay-off or short-time,

takes part in a strike at any relevant time in circumstances which entitle the employer to treat the contract of employment as terminable without notice, paragraph (1) does not apply if the employer terminates the contract by reason of his taking part in the strike.

(3) Where the contract of employment of an employee who—

(a) has been given notice by his employer to terminate his contract of employment, or

(b) has given notice to his employer under Article 183(1) indicating his intention to claim a redundancy payment in respect of lay-off or short-time,

is terminated as mentioned in paragraph (1) at any relevant time otherwise than by reason of his taking part in a strike, an industrial tribunal may determine that the employer is liable to make an appropriate payment to the employee if on a reference to the tribunal it appears to the tribunal, in the circumstances of the case, to be just and equitable that the employee should receive it.

(4) In paragraph (3) “appropriate payment” means—

(a) the whole of the redundancy payment to which the employee would have been entitled apart from paragraph (1), or

(b) such part of that redundancy payment as the tribunal thinks fit.

(5) In this Article “relevant time”

(a) in the case of an employee who has been given notice by his employer to terminate his contract of employment, means any time within the obligatory period of notice, and

(b) in the case of an employee who has given notice to his employer under Article 183(1), means any time after the service of the notice.

Renewal of contract or re-engagement N.I.

176.—(1) This Article applies where an offer (whether in writing or not) is made to an employee before the end of his employment—

(a) to renew his contract of employment, or

(b) to re-engage him under a new contract of employment,

with renewal or re-engagement to take effect either immediately on, or after an interval of not more than four weeks after, the end of his employment.

(2) Where paragraph (3) is satisfied, the employee is not entitled to a redundancy payment if he unreasonably refuses the offer.

(3) This paragraph is satisfied where—

(a) the provisions of the contract as renewed, or of the new contract, as to—

(i) the capacity and place in which the employee would be employed, and

(ii) the other terms and conditions of his employment,

would not differ from the corresponding provisions of the previous contract, or

(b) those provisions of the contract as renewed, or of the new contract, would differ from the corresponding provisions of the previous contract but the offer constitutes an offer of suitable employment in relation to the employee.

(4) The employee is not entitled to a redundancy payment if—

(a) his contract of employment is renewed, or he is re-engaged under a new contract of employment, in pursuance of the offer,

(b) the provisions of the contract as renewed or new contract as to the capacity or place in which he is employed or the other terms and conditions of his employment differ (wholly or in part) from the corresponding provisions of the previous contract.

(c) the employment is suitable in relation to him, and

(d) during the trial period he unreasonably terminates the contract, or unreasonably gives notice to terminate it and it is in consequence terminated.

Employee anticipating expiry of employer's notice N.I.

177.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), an employee is not entitled to a redundancy payment where—

(a) he is taken to be dismissed by virtue of Article 171(3) by reason of giving to his employer notice terminating his contract of employment on a date earlier than the date on which notice by the employer terminating the contract is due to expire,

(b) before the employee's notice is due to expire, the employer gives him a notice such as is specified in paragraph (2), and

(c) the employee does not comply with the requirements of that notice.

(2) The employer's notice referred to in paragraph (1)(b) is a notice in writing—

(a) requiring the employee to withdraw his notice terminating the contract of employment and to continue in employment until the date on which the employer's notice terminating the contract expires, and

(b) stating that, unless he does so, the employer will contest any liability to pay to him a redundancy payment in respect of the termination of his contract of employment.

(3) An industrial tribunal may determine that the employer is liable to make an appropriate payment to the employee if on a reference to the tribunal it appears to the tribunal, having regard to—

(a) the reasons for which the employee seeks to leave the employment, and

(b) the reasons for which the employer requires him to continue in it,

to be just and equitable that the employee should receive the payment.

(4) In paragraph (3) “appropriate payment” means—

(a) the whole of the redundancy payment to which the employee would have been entitled apart from paragraph (1), or

(b) such part of that redundancy payment as the tribunal thinks fit.

Strike during currency of employer's notice N.I.

178.—(1) This Article applies where—

(a) an employer has given notice to an employee to terminate his contract of employment ( “notice of termination”),

(b) after the notice is given the employee begins to take part in a strike of employees of the employer, and

(c) the employer serves on the employee a notice of extension.

(2) A notice of extension is a notice in writing which—

(a) requests the employee to agree to extend the contract of employment beyond the time of expiry by a period comprising as many available days as the number of working days lost by striking ( “the proposed period of extension”),

(b) indicates the reasons for which the employer makes that request, and

(c) states that the employer will contest any liability to pay the employee a redundancy payment in respect of the dismissal effected by the notice of termination unless either—

(i) the employee complies with the request, or

(ii) the employer is satisfied that, in consequence of sickness or injury or otherwise, the employee is unable to comply with it or that (even though he is able to comply with it) it is reasonable in the circumstances for him not to do so.

(3) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), if the employee does not comply with the request contained in the notice of extension, he is not entitled to a redundancy payment by reason of the dismissal effected by the notice of termination.

(4) Paragraph (3) does not apply if the employer agrees to pay a redundancy payment to the employee in respect of the dismissal effected by the notice of termination even though he has not complied with the request contained in the notice of extension.

(5) An industrial tribunal may determine that the employer is liable to make an appropriate payment to the employee if on a reference to the tribunal it appears to the tribunal that—

(a) the employee has not complied with the request contained in the notice of extension and the employer has not agreed to pay a redundancy payment in respect of the dismissal effected by the notice of termination, but

(b) either the employee was unable to comply with the request by it was reasonable in the circumstances for him not to comply with it.

(6) In paragraph (5) “appropriate payment” means—

(a) the whole of the redundancy payment to which the employee would have been entitled apart from paragraph (3), or

(b) such part of that redundancy payment as the tribunal thinks fit.

(7) If the employee—

(a) complies with the request contained in the notice of extension, or

(b) does not comply with it but attends at his proper or usual place of work and is ready and willing to work on one or more (but not all) of the available days within the proposed period of extension,

the notice of termination has effect, and shall be deemed at all material times to have had effect, as if the period specified in it had been appropriately extended; and Articles 119 to 123 accordingly apply as if the period of notice required by Article 118 were extended to a corresponding extent.

(8) In paragraph (7) “appropriately extended” means—

(a) in a case within sub-paragraph (a) of that paragraph, extended beyond the time of expiry by an additional period equal to the proposed period of extension, and

(b) in a case within sub-paragraph (b) of that paragraph, extended beyond the time of expiry up to the end of the day (or last of the days) on which he attends at his proper or usual place of work and is ready and willing to work.

Provisions supplementary to Article 178 N.I.

179.—(1) For the purposes of Article 178 an employee complies with the request contained in a notice of extension if, but only if, on each available day within the proposed period of extension, he—

(a) attends at his proper or usual place of work, and

(b) is ready and willing to work,

whether or not he has signified his agreement to the request in any other way.

(2) The reference in Article 178(2) to the number of working days lost by striking is a reference to the number of working days in the period—

(a) beginning with the date of service of the notice of termination, and

(b) ending with the time of expiry,

which are days on which the employee in question takes part in a strike of employees of his employer.

(3) In Article 178 and this Article—

• “available day”, in relation to an employee, means a working day beginning at or after the time of expiry which is a day on which he is not taking part in a strike of employees of the employer,

• “available day within the proposed period of extension” means an available day which begins before the end of the proposed period of extension,

• “time of expiry”, in relation to a notice of termination, means the time at which the notice would expire apart from Article 178, and

• “working day”, in relation to an employee, means a day on which, in accordance with his contract of employment, he is normally required to work.

(4) Neither the service of a notice of extension nor any extension by virtue of Article 178(7) of the period specified in a notice of termination affects—

(a) any right either of the employer or of the employee to terminate the contract of employment (whether before, at or after the time of expiry) by a further notice or without notice, or

(b) the operation of this Part in relation to any such termination of the contract of employment.

Supplementary N.I.

The relevant date N.I.

180.—(1) For the purposes of the provisions of this Order relating to redundancy payments “the relevant date” in relation to the dismissal of an employee has the meaning given by this Article.

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this Article, “the relevant date”

(a) in relation to an employee whose contract of employment is terminated by notice, whether given by his employer or by the employee, means the date on which the notice expires,

(b) in relation to an employee whose contract of employment is terminated without notice, means the date on which the termination takes effect, and

[F509 (c) in relation to an employee who is employed under a limited-term contract which terminates by virtue of the limiting event without being renewed, means the date on which the termination takes effect.]

(3) Where the employee is taken to be dismissed by virtue of Article 171(3) the “relevant date” means the date on which the employee's notice to terminate his contract of employment expires.

(4) Where the employee is regarded by virtue of Article 173(4) as having been dismissed on the date on which his employment under an earlier contract ended, “the relevant date” means—

(a) for the purposes of Article 199(1), the date which is the relevant date as defined by paragraph (2) in relation to the renewed or new contract or, where there has been more than one trial period, the last such contract, and

(b) for the purposes of any other provision, the date which is the relevant date as defined by paragraph (2) in relation to the previous contract or, where there has been more than one such trial period, the original contract.

(5) Where—

(a) the contract of employment is terminated by the employer, and

(b) the notice required by Article 118 to be given by an employer would, if duly given on the material date, expire on a date later than the relevant date (as defined by the previous provisions of this Article),

for the purposes of Articles 23(3), 190 and 197(1) the later date is the relevant date.

(6) In paragraph (5)(b) “the material date” means—

(a) the date when notice of termination was given by the employer, or

(b) where no notice was given, the date when the contract of employment was terminated by the employer.

Para. (7) rep. by 1999 NI 9

F509 SR 2002/298

Provisions supplementing Articles 173 and 176 N.I.

181 .F510 —(1) In Articles 173 and 176—

(a) references to re-engagement are to re-engagement by the employer or an associated employer, and

(b) references to an offer are to an offer made by the employer or an associated employer.

(2) For the purposes of the application of Article 173(1) or 176(1) to a contract under which the employment ends on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday—

(a) the renewal or re-engagement shall be treated as taking effect immediately on the ending of the employment under the previous contract if it takes effect on or before the next Monday after that Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and

(b) the interval of four weeks to which those provisions refer shall be calculated as if the employment had ended on that next Monday.

Para. (3) rep. by 1999 NI 9

F510 mod. by SR 1999/409

CHAPTER III N.I. RIGHT BY REASON OF LAY-OFF OR SHORT-TIME

Lay-off and short-time N.I.

Meaning of “lay-off” and “short-time” N.I.

182.—(1) For the purposes of this Part an employee shall be taken to be laid off for a week if—

(a) he is employed under a contract on terms and conditions such that his remuneration under the contract depends on his being provided by the employer with work of the kind which he is employed to do, but

(b) he is not entitled to any remuneration under the contract in respect of the week because the employer does not provide such work for him.

(2) For the purposes of this Part an employee shall be taken to be kept on short-time for a week if by reason of a diminution in the work provided for the employee by his employer (being work of a kind which under his contract the employee is employed to do) the employee's remuneration for the week is less than half a week's pay.

Eligibility by reason of lay-off or short-time N.I.

183.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Part, for the purposes of this Part an employee is eligible for a redundancy payment by reason of being laid off or kept on short-time if—

(a) he gives notice in writing to his employer indicating (in whatever terms) his intention to claim a redundancy payment in respect of lay-off or short-time (referred to in this Part as “notice of intention to claim”), and —

(b) before the service of the notice he has been laid off or kept on short-time in circumstances in which paragraph (2) applies.

(2) This paragraph applies if the employee has been laid off or kept on short-time—

(a) for four or more consecutive weeks of which the last before the service of the notice ended on, or not more than four weeks before, the date of service of the notice, or

(b) for a series of six or more weeks (of which not more than three were consecutive) within a period of thirteen weeks, where the last week of the series before the service of the notice ended on, or not more than four weeks before, the date of service of the notice.

Exclusions N.I.

Counter-notices N.I.

184.  Where an employee gives to his employer notice of intention to claim but—

(a) the employer gives to the employee, within seven days after the service of that notice, notice in writing (referred to in this Part as a “counter-notice”) that he will contest any liability to pay to the employee a redundancy payment in pursuance of the employee's notice, and

(b) the employer does not withdraw the counter-notice by a subsequent notice in writing,

the employee is not entitled to a redundancy payment in pursuance of his notice of intention to claim except in accordance with a decision of an industrial tribunal.

Resignation N.I.

185.—(1) An employee is not entitled to a redundancy payment by reason of being laid off or kept on short-time unless he terminates his contract of employment by giving such period of notice as is required for the purposes of this Article before the end of the relevant period.

(2) The period of notice required for the purposes of this Article—

(a) where the employee is required by his contract of employment to give more than one week's notice to terminate the contract, is the minimum period which he is required to give, and

(b) otherwise, is one week.

(3) In paragraph (1) “the relevant period”

(a) if the employer does not give a counter-notice within seven days after the service of the notice of intention to claim, is three weeks after the end of those seven days,

(b) if the employer gives a counter-notice within that period of seven days but withdraws it by a subsequent notice in writing, is three weeks after the service of the notice of withdrawal, and

(c) if—

(i) the employer gives a counter-notice within that period of seven days, and does not so withdraw it, and

(ii) a question as to the right of the employee to a redundancy payment in pursuance of the notice of intention to claim is referred to an industrial tribunal,

is three weeks after the tribunal has notified to the employee its decision on that reference.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(c) no account shall be taken o f —

(a) any appeal against the decision of the tribunal, or

(b) any proceedings or decision in consequence of any such appeal.

Dismissal N.I.

186.—(1) An employee is not entitled to a redundancy payment by reason of being laid off or kept on short-time if he is dismissed by his employer.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not prejudice any right of the employee to a redundancy payment in respect of the dismissal.

Likelihood of full employment N.I.

187.—(1) An employee is not entitled to a redundancy payment in pursuance of a notice of intention to claim if—

(a) on the date of service of the notice it was reasonably to be expected that the employee (if he continued to be employed by the same employer) would, not later than four weeks after that date, enter on a period of employment of not less than thirteen weeks during which he would not be laid off or kept on short-time for any week, and

(b) the employer gives a counter-notice to the employee within seven days after the service of the notice of intention to claim.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply where the employee—

(a) continues or has continued, during the next four weeks after the date of service of the notice of intention to claim, to be employed by the same employer, and

(b) is or has been laid off or kept on short-time for each of those weeks.

Supplementary N.I.

The relevant date N.I.

188.—(1) For the purposes of the provisions of this Order relating to redundancy payments “the relevant date” in relation to a notice of intention to claim or a right to a redundancy payment in pursuance of such a notice—

(a) in a case falling within sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (2) of Article 183, means the date on which the last of the four or

(b) more consecutive weeks before the service of the notice came to an end, and in a case falling within sub-paragraph (b) of that paragraph, means the date on which the last of the series of six or more weeks before the service of the notice came to an end.

Provisions supplementing Articles 183 and 187 N.I.

189.  For the purposes of Articles 183(2) and 187(2)—

(a) it is immaterial whether a series of weeks consists wholly of weeks for which the employee is laid off or wholly of weeks for which he is kept on short-time or partly of the one and partly of the other, and

(b) no account shall be taken of any week for which an employee is laid off or kept on short-time where the lay-off or short-time is wholly or mainly attributable to a strike or a lock-out (whether or not in the trade or industry in which the employee is employed and whether in Northern Ireland or elsewhere).

CHAPTER IV N.I. GENERAL EXCLUSIONS FROM RIGHT

Qualifying period of employment N.I.

190 .F511   An employee does not have any right to a redundancy payment unless he has been continuously employed for a period of not less than two years ending with the relevant date.

F511 mod. by SR 1999/409

Upper age limit N.I.

191.  F512 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F512 Art. 191 repealed (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53, Sch. 7 para. 3(11), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 3(14))

Exemption orders N.I.

192.—(1) Where an order under this Article is in force in respect of an agreement covered by this Article, an employee who, immediately before the relevant date, is an employee to whom the agreement applies does not have any right to a redundancy payment.

(2) An agreement is covered by this Article if it is an agreement between—

(a) one or more employers or organisations of employers, and

(b) one or more trade unions representing employees,

under which employees to whom the agreement applies have a right in certain circumstances to payments on the termination of their contracts of employment.

(3) Where, on the application of all the parties to an agreement covered by this Article, the Department is satisfied, having regard to the provisions of the agreement, that the employees to whom the agreement applies should not have any right to a redundancy payment, it may make an order under this Article in respect of the agreement.

(4) The Department shall not make an order under this Article in respect of an agreement unless the agreement indicates (in whatever terms) the willingness of the parties to it to submit to an industrial tribunal any question arising under the agreement as to—

(a) the right of an employee to a payment on the termination of his employment, or

(b) the amount of such a payment.

(5) An order revoking an earlier order under this Article may be made in pursuance of an application by all or any of the parties to the agreement in question or in the absence of such an application.

Para. (6) rep. by 1999 NI 9

Pension rights N.I.

193.  F513 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F513 Art. 193 repealed (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53, Sch. 7 para. 3(12), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 3(14))

Public offices etc. N.I.

194.  A person does not have any right to a redundancy payment in respect of any employment which—

(a) is employment in a public office within the meaning of section 39 of the [1965 c. 74.] Superannuation Act 1965 or section 39 of the [1967 c. 24 (N.I.).] Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Act 1967, or

(b) is treated for the purposes of pensions and other superannuation benefits as service in the civil service of Northern Ireland or the civil service of the United Kingdom.

Overseas government employment N.I.

195.—(1) A person does not have any right to a redundancy payment in respect of employment in any capacity under the Government of an overseas territory.

(2) The reference in paragraph (1) to the Government of an overseas territory includes a reference to—

(a) a Government constituted for two or more overseas territories, and

(b) any authority established for the purpose of providing or administering services which are common to, or relate to matters of common interest to, two or more overseas territories.

(3) In this Article references to an overseas territory are to any territory or country outside the United Kingdom.

Domestic servants N.I.

196.—(1) A person does not have any right to a redundancy payment in respect of employment as a domestic servant in a private household where the employer is the parent (or step-parent), grandparent, child (or step-child), grandchild or brother or sister (or half-brother or half-sister) of the employee.

(2) Subject to that, the provisions of this Part apply to an employee who is employed as a domestic servant in a private household as if—

(a) the household were a business, and

(b) the maintenance of the household were the carrying on of that business by the employer.

CHAPTER V N.I. OTHER PROVISIONS ABOUT REDUNDANCY PAYMENTS

Amount of a redundancy payment N.I.

197 .F514 —(1) The amount of a redundancy payment shall be calculated by—

(a) determining the period, ending with the relevant date, during which the employee has been continuously employed,

(b) reckoning backwards from the end of that period the number of years of employment falling within that period, and

(c) allowing the appropriate amount for each of those years of employment.

(2) In paragraph (1)(c) “the appropriate amount” means—

(a) one and a half weeks' pay for a year of employment in which the employee was not below the age of forty-one,

(b) one week's pay for a year of employment (not within sub-paragraph (a)) in which he was not below the age of twenty-two, and

(c) half a week's pay for each year of employment not within sub-paragraph (a) or (b).

(3) Where twenty years of employment have been reckoned under paragraph (1), no account shall be taken under that paragraph of any year of employment earlier than those twenty years.

(4) F515 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) F516 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) [F517 Paragraphs (1) to (3)] apply for the purposes of any provision of this Part by virtue of which an industrial tribunal may determine that an employer is liable to pay to an employee—

(a) the whole of the redundancy payment to which the employee would have had a right apart from some other provision, or

(b) such part of the redundancy payment to which the employee would have had a right apart from some other provision as the tribunal thinks fit,

as if any reference to the amount of a redundancy payment were to the amount of the redundancy payment to which the employee would have been entitled apart from that other provision.

Para. (7) rep. by 1999 NI 9

(8) F518 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F514 mod. by SR 1999/409

F515 Art. 197(4) repealed (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53, Sch. 7 para. 3(13)(a), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 3(14))

F516 Art. 197(5) repealed (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53, Sch. 7 para. 3(13)(a), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 3(14))

F517 Words in art. 197(6) substituted (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53(1), Sch. 7 para. 3(13)(b) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 3(14))

F518 Art. 197(8) repealed (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53, Sch. 7 para. 3(13)(a), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 3(14))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C73 Art. 197(1)-(3) applied (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 35(3) (with reg. 50)

C74 Art. 197(1)(a) modified (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 35(5) (with reg. 50)

References to industrial tribunals N.I.

198.—(1) Any question arising under this Part as to—

(a) the right of an employee to a redundancy payment, or

(b) the amount of a redundancy payment,

shall be referred to and determined by an industrial tribunal.

(2) For the purposes of any such reference, an employee who has been dismissed by his employer shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed to have been so dismissed by reason of redundancy.

(3) Any question whether an employee will become entitled to a redundancy payment if he is not dismissed by his employer and he terminates his contract of employment as mentioned in Article 185(1) shall for the purposes of this Part be taken to be a question as to the right of the employee to a redundancy payment.

(4) Where an order under Article 192 is in force in respect of an agreement, this Article has effect in relation to any question arising under the agreement as to the right of an employee to a payment on the termination of his employment, or as to the amount of such a payment, as if the payment were a redundancy payment and the question arose under this Part.

[F519 (5) Where a tribunal determines under paragraph (1) that an employee has a right to a redundancy payment, it may order the employer to pay to the employee such amount as the tribunal considers appropriate in all the circumstances to compensate the employee for any financial loss sustained by him which is attributable to the non-payment of the redundancy payment.]

F519 Art. 198(5) inserted (3.8.2010) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 12), ss. 6(2), 8(2) (with s. 6(3))

Claims for redundancy payment N.I.

199.—(1) An employee does not have any right to a redundancy payment unless, before the end of the period of six months beginning with the relevant date—

(a) the payment has been agreed and paid,

(b) the employee has made a claim for the payment by notice in writing given to the employer,

(c) a question as to the employee's right to, or the amount of, the payment has been referred to an industrial tribunal, or

(d) a complaint relating to his dismissal has been presented by the employee under Article 145.

(2) An employee is not deprived of his right to a redundancy payment by paragraph (1) if, during the period of six months immediately following the period mentioned in that paragraph, the employee—

(a) makes a claim for the payment by notice in writing given to the employer,

(b) refers to an industrial tribunal a question as to his right to, or the amount of, the payment, or

(c) presents a complaint relating to his dismissal under Article 145,

and it appears to the tribunal to be just and equitable that the employee should receive a redundancy payment.

(3) In determining under paragraph (2) whether it is just and equitable that an employee should receive a redundancy payment an industrial tribunal shall have regard to—

(a) the reason shown by the employee for his failure to take any such step as is referred to in paragraph (2) within the period mentioned in paragraph (1), and

(b) all the other relevant circumstances.

[F520 (4) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraphs (1)(c) and (2).]

F520 Art. 199(4) added (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 38; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Written particulars of redundancy payment N.I.

200.—(1) On making any redundancy payment, otherwise than in pursuance of a decision of a tribunal which specifies the amount of the payment to be made, the employer shall give to the employee a written statement indicating how the amount of the payment has been calculated.

(2) An employer who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with paragraph (1) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.

(3) If an employer fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1), the employee may by notice in writing to the employer require him to give to the employee a written statement complying with those requirements within such period (not being less than one week beginning with the day on which the notice is given) as may be specified in the notice.

(4) An employer who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a notice under paragraph (3) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

CHAPTER VI N.I. PAYMENTS BY DEPARTMENT

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C75 Pt. XII Ch. VI (arts. 201-205) modified (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 8(4), Sch. 1 para. 5 (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

Applications for payments N.I.

201.—(1) Where an employee claims that his employer is liable to pay to him an employer's payment and either—

(a) that the employee has taken all reasonable steps, other than legal proceedings, to recover the payment from the employer and the employer has refused or failed to pay it, or has paid part of it and has refused or failed to pay the balance, or

(b) that the employer is insolvent and the whole or part of the payment remains unpaid,

the employee may apply to the Department for a payment under this Article.

(2) In this Part “employer's payment”, in relation to an employee, means—

(a) a redundancy payment which his employer is liable to pay to him under this Part,F521 . . .

[F521 (aa) a payment which his employer is liable to make to him under an agreement to refrain from instituting or continuing proceedings for a contravention or alleged contravention of Article 170 which has effect by virtue of Article 245(2)(e) or (f), or]

(b) a payment which his employer is, under an agreement in respect of which an order is in force under Article 192, liable to make to him on the termination of his contract of employment.

(3) In relation to any case where (in accordance with any provision of this Part) an industrial tribunal determines that an employer is liable to pay part (but not the whole) of a redundancy payment the reference in paragraph (2)(a) to a redundancy payment is to the part of the redundancy payment.

(4) In paragraph (1)(a) “legal proceedings”

(a) does not include any proceedings before an industrial tribunal, but

(b) includes any proceedings to enforce a decision or award of an industrial tribunal.

(5) An employer is insolvent for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)—

(a) where the employer is an individual, if (but only if) paragraph [F522 (6), (8ZA) or (8A)] is satisfied,F523 . . .

(b) where the employer is a company, if (but only if) paragraph [F524 (7), (8ZA) or (8A)] is satisfied[F523 , F525 ...]

[F523 (c) where the employer is a limited liability partnership, if (but only if) paragraph [F526 (8), (8ZA) or (8A)] is satisfied][F527 , and

(d) where the employer is not any of the above, if (but only if) paragraph [F528 (8ZA) or (8A)] is satisfied.]

.

(6) This paragraph is satisfied in the case of an employer who is an individual if—

(a) he has been adjudged bankrupt or has made a composition or arrangement with his creditors, or

(b) he has died and his estate falls to be administered in accordance with an order under Article 365 of the [1989 NI 19.] Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.

(7) This paragraph is satisfied in the case of an employer which is a company—

(a) if a winding up orderF529 . . . has been made, or a resolution for voluntary winding up has been passed, with respect to the company,

[F530 (aa) if the company is in administration for the purposes of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989,]

(b) if a receiver or a manager of the company's undertaking has been duly appointed, or possession has been taken, by or on behalf of the holders of any debentures secured by a floating charge, of any property of the company comprised in or subject to the charge, or

(c) if a voluntary arrangement proposed in the case of the company for the purposes of Part II of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 has been approved under that Part.

[F523 (8) This paragraph is satisfied in the case of an employer which is a limited liability partnership—

(a) if a winding-up order, an administration order or a determination for a voluntary winding-up has been made with respect to the limited liability partnership,

(b) if a receiver or a manager of the undertaking of the limited liability partnership has been duly appointed, or possession has been taken, by or on behalf of the holders of any debentures secured by a floating charge, of any property of the limited liability partnership comprised in or subject to the charge, or

(c) if a voluntary arrangement proposed in the case of the limited liability partnership for the purposes of Part II of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 has been approved under that Part.]

[F531 (8ZA) This paragraph is satisfied in the case of an employer if—

(a) the employer is a legal person,

(b) a request has been made for the first opening of collective proceedings—

(i) based on the insolvency of the employer, as provided for under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, and

(ii) involving the partial or total divestment of the employer's assets and the appointment of a liquidator or a person performing a similar task, and

(c) any of the following has decided to open the proceedings—

(i) a court,

(ii) a meeting of creditors, or

(iii) the creditors by a decision procedure.]

[F532 (8A) This paragraph is satisfied in the case of an employer if—

(a) a request has been made for the first opening of collective proceedings—

(i) based on the insolvency of the employer, as provided for under the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of a member State, and

(ii) involving the partial or total divestment of the employer’s assets and the appointment of a liquidator or a person performing a similar task, and

(b) the competent authority has—

(i) decided to open the proceedings, or

(ii) established that the employer’s undertaking or business has been definitively closed down and the available assets of the employer are insufficient to warrant the opening of the proceedings.

(8B) For the purposes of [F533 this Article] —

(a) “liquidator or a person performing a similar task” includes the official receiver or an administrator, trustee in bankruptcy, judicial factor, supervisor of a voluntary arrangement, or a person performing a similar task;

(b) “competent authority” includes—

(i) a court,

(ii) a meeting of creditors,

(iii) a creditors’ committee,

(iv) the creditors by a decision procedure, and

(v) an authority of a member State empowered to open insolvency proceedings, to confirm the opening of such proceedings or to take decisions in the course of such proceedings.

(8C) An employee may apply under this Article only if the employee worked or habitually worked in Northern Ireland in that employment to which the application   relates.]

F521 1998 NI 8

F522 Words in art. 201(5)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(2)(a)(i) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F523 SR 2004/307

F524 Words in art. 201(5)(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(2)(a)(ii) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F525 Word in art. 201(5)(b) omitted (31.1.2019) by virtue of The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 255(2)(a)(ii) (with regs. 4, 5)

F526 Words in art. 201(5)(c) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(2)(a)(iii) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F527 Art. 201(5)(d) and word inserted (31.1.2019) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 255(2)(a)(iv) (with regs. 4, 5)

F528 Words in art. 201(5)(d) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(2)(a)(iv) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F529 Words in art. 201(7)(a) repealed (27.3.2006) by Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1455 (N.I. 10)), arts. 1(3), 3(3), 31, Sch. 2 para. 54(2)(a), Sch. 9; S.R. 2006/21, art. 2 (with S.R. 2006/22, arts. 2-7)

F530 Art. 201(7)(aa) inserted (27.3.2006) by Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1455 (N.I. 10)), arts. 1(3), 3(3), Sch. 2 para. 54(2)(b); S.R. 2006/21, art. 2 (with S.R. 2006/22, arts. 2-7)

F531 Art. 201(8ZA) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(2)(b) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F532 Art. 201(8A)-(8C) inserted (31.1.2019) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 255(2)(b) (with regs. 4, 5)

F533 Words in art. 201(8B) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(2)(c) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Making of payments N.I.

202.—(1) Where, on an application under Article 201 by an employee in relation to an employer's payment, the Department is satisfied that the requirements specified in paragraph (2) are met, it shall pay to the employee out of the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund a sum calculated in accordance with Article 203 but reduced by so much (if any) of the employer's payment as has already been paid.

(2) The requirements referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a) that the employee is entitled to the employer's payment, and

(b) that one of the conditions specified in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (1) of Article 201 is fulfilled,

and, in a case where the employer's payment is a payment such as is mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) of that section, that the employee's right to the payment arises by virtue of a period of continuous employment (computed in accordance with the provisions of the agreement in question) which is not less than two years.

(3) Where under this Article the Department pays a sum to an employee in respect of an employer's payment—

(a) all rights and remedies of the employee with respect to the employer's payment, or (if the Department has paid only part of it) all the rights and remedies of the employee with respect to that part of the employer's payment, are transferred to and vest in the Department, and

(b) any decision of an industrial tribunal requiring the employer's payment to be paid to the employee has effect as if it required that payment, or that part of it which the Department has paid, to be paid to the Department.

(4) Any money recovered by the Department by virtue of paragraph (3) shall be paid into the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund.

Amount of payments N.I.

203.—(1) The sum payable to an employee by the Department under Article 202—

(a) where the employer's payment to which the employee's application under Article 201 relates is a redundancy payment or a part of a redundancy payment, is a sum equal to the amount of the redundancy payment or part,F534 . . .

[F534 (aa) where the employer's payment to which the employee's application under Article 201 relates is a payment which his employer is liable to make to him under an agreement having effect by virtue of Article 245(2)(e) or (f), is a sum equal to the amount of the employer's payment or of any reduncancy payment which the employer would have been liable to pay to the employee but for the agreement, whichever is less, and]

(b) where the employer's payment to which the employee's application under Article 201 relates is a payment which the employer is liable to make under an agreement in respect of which an order is in force under Article 192, is a sum equal to the amount of the employer's payment or of the relevant redundancy payment, whichever is less.

(2) The reference in paragraph (1)(b) to the amount of the relevant redundancy payment is to the amount of the redundancy payment which the employer would have been liable to pay to the employee on the assumptions specified in paragraph (3).

(3) The assumptions referred to in paragraph (2) are that—

(a) the order in force in respect of the agreement had not been made,

(b) the circumstances in which the employer's payment is payable had been such that the employer was liable to pay a redundancy payment to the employee in those circumstances,

(c) the relevant date, in relation to any such redundancy payment, had been the date on which the termination of the employee's contract of employment is treated as having taken effect for the purposes of the agreement, and

(d) in so far as the provisions of the agreement relating to the circumstances in which the continuity of an employee's period of employment is to be treated as broken, and the weeks which are to count in computing a period of employment, are inconsistent with the provisions of Chapter III of Part I, the provisions of the agreement were substituted for those provisions.

F534 1998 NI 8

Information relating to applications for payments N.I.

204.—(1) Where an employee makes an application to the Department under Article 201, the Department may, by notice in writing given to the employer, require the employer—

(a) to provide the Department with such information, and

(b) to produce for examination on behalf of the Department documents in his custody or under his control of such description,

as the Department may reasonably require for the purpose of determining whether the application is well-founded.

(2) Where a person on whom a notice is served under paragraph (1) fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement imposed by the notice, he is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(3) A person is guilty of an offence if—

(a) in providing any information required by a notice under paragraph (1), he makes a statement which he knows to be false in a material particular or recklessly makes a statement which is false in a material particular, or

(b) he produces for examination in accordance with a notice under paragraph (1) a document which to his knowledge has been wilfully falsified.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (3) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.

References to industrial tribunals N.I.

205.—(1) Where on an application made to the Department for a payment under Article 201 it is claimed that an employer is liable to pay an employer's payment, there shall be referred to an industrial tribunal—

(a) any question as to the liability of the employer to pay the employer's payment, and

(b) any question as to the amount of the sum payable in accordance with Article 203.

(2) For the purposes of any reference under this Article an employee who has been dismissed by his employer shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed to have been so dismissed by reason of redundancy.

CHAPTER VII N.I. SUPPLEMENTARY

Application of Part to particular cases N.I.

Employment not under contract of employment N.I.

206.—(1) The Department may by regulations provide that, subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be prescribed by the regulations, this Part and the provisions of this Order supplementary to this Part have effect in relation to any employment of a description to which this Article applies as may be so prescribed as if —

(a) it were employment under a contract of employment,

(b) any person engaged in employment of that description were an employee, and

(c) such person as may be determined by or under the regulations were his employer.

(2) This Article applies to employment of any description which—

(a) is employment in the case of which secondary Class 1 contributions are payable under Part I of [F535 the Contributions and Benefits Act 1992] in respect of persons engaged in it, but

(b) is not employment under a contract of service or of apprenticeship or employment of any description mentioned in Article 194 (whether as originally enacted or as modified by an order under Article 250(1)).

F535 Words in art. 206(2)(a) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(18); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

Termination of employment by statute N.I.

207.—(1) The Department may by regulations provide that, subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be prescribed by the regulations, this Part has effect in relation to any person who by virtue of any statutory provisions—

(a) is transferred to, and becomes a member of, a body specified in those provisions, but

(b) at a time so specified ceases to be a member of that body unless before that time certain conditions so specified have been fulfilled,

as if the cessation of his membership of that body by virtue of those provisions were dismissal by his employer by reason of redundancy.

(2) The power conferred by paragraph (1) is exercisable whether or not membership of the body in question constitutes employment within the meaning of Article 3(5); and, where that membership does not constitute such employment, that power may be exercised in addition to any power exercisable under Article 206.

Employees paid by person other than employer N.I.

208.—(1) For the purposes of the operation of the provisions of this Part (and Chapter III of Part I) in relation to any employee whose remuneration is, by virtue of any statutory provision, payable to him by a person other than his employer, each of the references to the employer specified in paragraph (2) shall be construed as a reference to the person by whom the remuneration is payable.

(2) The references referred to in paragraph (1) are the first reference in Article 170(1), the third reference in Article 175(3), the first reference in Article 177(3) and the first reference in Article 178(2)(c) and the references in Articles 10(5), 177(2)(b), 178(4) and (5), 184(a) and (b), 185(3), 187(1)(b), 193(4), 197(6), 199 to 204 and 205(1).

Death of employer or employee N.I.

Death of employer: dismissal N.I.

209.—(1) Where the contract of employment of an employee is taken for the purposes of this Part to be terminated by his employer by reason of the employer's death, this Part has effect in accordance with the following provisions of this Article.

(2) Article 173 applies as if—

(a) in paragraph (1)(a), for the words “in pursuance” onwards there were substituted “ by a personal representative of the deceased employer ”,

(b) in paragraph (1)(b), for the words “either immediately” onwards there were substituted “ not later than eight weeks after the death of the deceased employer ”, and

(c) in paragraphs (2)(b) and (6)(a), for the word “employer” there were substituted “ personal representative of the deceased employer ”.

(3) Article 176(1) applies as if—

(a) for the words “before the end of his employment” there were substituted “ by a personal representative of the deceased employer ”, and

(b) for the words “either immediately” onwards there were substituted “ not later than eight weeks after the death of the deceased employer ”.

(4) For the purposes of Article 176—

(a) provisions of the contract as renewed, or of the new contract, do not differ from the corresponding provisions of the contract in force immediately before the death of the deceased employer by reason only that the personal representative would be substituted for the deceased employer as the employer, and

(b) no account shall be taken of that substitution in determining whether refusal of the offer was unreasonable or whether the employee acted reasonably in terminating or giving notice to terminate the new or renewed employment.

(5) Article 181 has effect as if—

(a) paragraph (1) were omitted, and

(b) in paragraph (2), sub-paragraph (a) were omitted and, in sub-paragraph (b), for the word “four” there were substituted “ eight ”.

(6) For the purposes of the application of this Part (in accordance with Article 196(2)) in relation to an employee who was employed as a domestic servant in a private household, references in this Article and Articles 14(4) and (5) and 210 to a personal representative include a person to whom the management of the household has passed, otherwise than in pursuance of a sale or other disposition for valuable consideration, in consequence of the death of the employer.

Death of employer: lay-off and short-time N.I.

210.—(1) Where an employee is laid off or kept on short-time and his employer dies, this Part has effect in accordance with the following provisions of this Article.

(2) Where the employee—

(a) has been laid off or kept on short-time for one or more weeks before the death of the employer,

(b) has not given the deceased employer notice of intention to claim before the employer's death,

(c) after the employer's death has his contract of employment renewed, or is re-engaged under a new contract, by a personal representative of the deceased employer, and

(d) after renewal or re-engagement is laid off or kept on shorttime for one or more weeks by the personal representative,

the week in which the employer died and the first week of the employee's employment by the personal representative shall be treated for the purposes of Chapter III as consecutive weeks (and references to four weeks or thirteen weeks shall be construed accordingly).

(3) The following provisions of this Article apply where—

(a) the employee has given the deceased employer notice of intention to claim before the employer's death,

(b) the employer's death occurred before the end of the period of four weeks after the service of the notice, and

(c) the employee has not terminated his contract of employment by notice expiring before the employer's death.

(4) If the contract of employment is not renewed, and the employee is not re-engaged under a new contract, by a personal representative of the deceased employer before the end of the period of four weeks after the service of the notice of intention to claim—

(a) Articles 184 and 187 do not apply, but

(b) (subject to that) Chapter III applies as if the employer had not died and the employee had terminated the contract of employment by a week's notice, or by the minimum notice which he is required to give to terminate the contract (if longer than a week), expiring at the end of that period.

(5) If—

(a) the contract of employment is renewed, or the employee is re-engaged under a new contract, by a personal representative of the deceased employer before the end of the period of four weeks after the service of the notice of intention to claim, and

(b) the employee was laid off or kept on short-time by the deceased employer for one or more of those weeks and is laid off or kept on short-time by the personal representative for the week, or for the next two or more weeks, following the renewal or re-engagement,

paragraph (6) has effect.

(6) Where this paragraph has effect Chapter III applies as if—

(a) all the weeks mentioned in paragraph (5) were consecutive weeks during which the employee was employed (but laid off or kept on short-time) by the same employer, and

(b) the periods specified by Article 185(3)(a) and (b) as the relevant period were extended by any week or weeks any part of which was after the death of the employer and before the date on which the renewal or re-engagement took effect.

Death of employee N.I.

211.—(1) Where an employee whose employer has given him notice to terminate his contract of employment dies before the notice expires, this Part applies as if the contract had been duly terminated by the employer by notice expiring on the date of the employee's death.

(2) Where—

(a) an employee's contract of employment has been terminated by the employer,

(b) (by virtue of paragraph (5) of Article 180) a date later than the relevant date as defined by the previous provisions of that Article is the relevant date for the purposes of certain provisions of this Order, and

(c) the employee dies before that date,

that paragraph applies as if the notice to which it refers would have expired on the employee's death.

(3) Where—

(a) an employer has given notice to an employee to terminate his contract of employment and has offered to renew his contract of employment or to re-engage him under a new contract, and

(b) the employee dies without having accepted or refused the offer and without the offer having been withdrawn,

Article 176(2) applies as if for the words “he unreasonably refuses” there were substituted “ it would have been unreasonable on his part to refuse ”.

(4) Where an employee's contract of employment has been renewed or he has been re-engaged under a new contract—

(a) if he dies during the trial period without having terminated, or given notice to terminate, the contract, Article 176(4) applies as if for sub-paragraph (d) there were substituted—

“(d) it would have been unreasonable for the employee during the trial period to terminate or give notice to terminate the contract.” , and

(b) if during that trial period he gives notice to terminate the contract but dies before the notice expires, Articles 173(2) and 176(4) apply as if the notice had expired (and the contract had been terminated by its expiry) on the date of the employee's death.

(5) Where in the circumstances specified in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (3) of Article 171 the employee dies before the notice given by him under sub-paragraph (b) of that paragraph expires—

(a) if he dies before his employer has given him a notice such as is specified in paragraph (2) of Article 177, paragraphs (3) and (4) of that Article apply as if the employer had given him such a notice and he had not complied with it, and

(b) if he dies after his employer has given him such a notice, that Article applies as if the employee had not died but did not comply with the notice.

(6) Where an employee has given notice of intention to claim—

(a) if he dies before he has given notice to terminate his contract of employment and before the relevant period (as defined in paragraph (3) of Article 185) has expired, that section does not apply, and

(b) if he dies within the period of seven days after the service of the notice of intention to claim, and before the employer has given a counter-notice, Chapter III applies as if the employer had given a counter-notice within that period of seven days.

(7) Where a claim for a redundancy payment is made by a personal representative of a deceased employee—

(a) if the employee died before the end of the period of six months beginning with the relevant date, paragraph (1) of Article 199, and

(b) if the employee died after the end of the period of six months beginning with the relevant date but before the end of the following period of six months, paragraph (2) of that Article,

applies as if for the words “six months” there were substituted “ one year ”.

Equivalent payments N.I.

References to industrial tribunals N.I.

212.—(1) Where the terms and conditions (whether or not they constitute a contract of employment) on which a person is employed in employment of any description mentioned in Article 194 include provision—

(a) for the making of a payment to which this Article applies, and

(b) for referring to an industrial tribunal any question as to the right of any person to such a payment in respect of that employment or as to the amount of such a payment,

the question shall be referred to and determined by an industrial tribunal.

(2) This Article applies to any payment by way of compensation for loss of employment of any description mentioned in Article 194 which is payable in accordance with arrangements falling within paragraph (3) or (4).

(3) The arrangements which fall within this paragraph are arrangements made with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel for securing that a payment will be made—

(a) in circumstances which in the opinion of that Department correspond (subject to the appropriate modifications) to those in which a right to a redundancy payment would have accrued if the provisions of this Part (apart from Article 194 and this Article) applied, and

(b) on a scale which in the opinion of the Department of Finance and Personnel, taking into account any sums payable in accordance with—

(i) a scheme made under Article 3 of the [1972 NI 10.] Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, or

(ii) the Superannuation Acts (Northern Ireland) 1967 and 1969,

to or in respect of the person losing the employment in question, corresponds (subject to the appropriate modifications) to that on which a redundancy payment would have been payable if those provisions applied.

(4) The arrangements which fall within this paragraph are those which fall within section 177(3) of the [1996 c. 18.] Employment Rights Act 1996.

Other supplementary provisions N.I.

Old statutory compensation schemes N.I.

213.—(1) The Department may make provision by regulations for securing that where—

(a) (apart from this Article) a person is entitled to compensation under a statutory provision to which this Article applies, and

(b) the circumstances are such that he is also entitled to a redundancy payment,

the amount of the redundancy payment shall be set off against the compensation to which he would be entitled apart from this Article; and any statutory provision to which any such regulations apply shall have effect subject to the regulations.

(2) This Article applies to any statutory provision—

(a) which was in force immediately before 6th December 1965, and

(b) under which the holders of such situations, places or employments as arc specified in that provision are, or may become, entitled to compensation for loss of employment, or for loss or diminution of emoluments or of pension rights, in consequence of the operation of any other statutory provision referred to in that provision.

Notices N.I.

214.—(1) Any notice which under this Part is required or authorised to be given by an employer to an employee may be given by being delivered to the employee, or left for him at his usual or last-known place of residence, or sent by post addressed to him at that place.

(2) Any notice which under this Part is required or authorised to m be given by an employee to an employer may be given either by the employee himself or by a person authorised by him to act on his behalf, and (whether given by or on behalf of the employee)—

(a) may be given by being delivered to the employer, or sent by post addressed to him at the place where the employee is or was employed by him, or

(b) if arrangements have been made by the employer, may be given by being delivered to a person designated by the employer in pursuance of the arrangements, left for such a person at a place so designated or sent by post to such a person at an address so designated.

(3) In this Article any reference to the delivery of a notice includes, in relation to a notice which is not required by this Part to be in writing, a reference to the oral communication of the notice.

(4) Any notice which, in accordance with any provision of this Article, is left for a person at a place referred to in that provision shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed to have been received by him on the day on which it was left there.

(5) Nothing in paragraph (1) or (2) affects the capacity of an employer to act by a servant or agent for the purposes of any provision of this Part (including either of those paragraphs).

(6) In relation to an employee to whom Article 208 applies, this Article has effect as if—

(a) any reference in paragraph (1) or (2) to a notice required or authorised to be given by or to an employer included a reference to a notice which, by virtue of that Article, is required or authorised to be given by or to the person by whom the remuneration is payable,

(b) in relation to a notice required or authorised to be given to that person, any reference to the employer in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (2) were a reference to that person, and

(c) the reference to an employer in paragraph (5) included a reference to that person.

Interpretation N.I.

215.—(1) In this Part—

• “counter-notice” shall be construed in accordance with Article 184(a),

• “dismissal” and “dismissed” shall be construed in accordance with Articles 171 to 173,

• “employer's payment” has the meaning given by Article 201,

• “notice of intention to claim” shall be construed in accordance with Article 183(1),

• “obligatory period of notice” has the meaning given by Article 171(4), and

• “trial period” shall be construed in accordance with Article 173(3).

(2) In this Part—

(a) references to an employee being laid off or being eligible for a redundancy payment by reason of being laid off, and

(b) references to an employee being kept on short-time or being eligible for a redundancy payment by reason of being kept on short-time,

shall be construed in accordance with Articles 182 and 183.

PART XIII N.I. PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING REDUNDANCIES

Duty of employer to consult representatives of employees N.I.

Duty of employer to consult representatives of employees N.I.

216.—(1) Where an employer is proposing to dismiss as redundant 20 or more employees at one establishment within a period of 90 days or less, the employer shall consult about the dismissals all the persons who are appropriate representatives of any of the employees who may be [F536 affected by the proposed dismissals or may be affected by measures taken in connection with those dismissals;]

(2) The consultation shall begin in good time and in any event—

(a) where the employer is proposing to dismiss 100 or more employees as mentioned in paragraph (1), at least 90 days, and

(b) otherwise, at least 30 days,

before the first of the dismissals takes effect.

[F536 (3) For the purposes of this Article the appropriate representatives of any affected employees are—

(a) if the employees are of a description in respect of which an independent trade union is recognised by their employer, representatives of the trade union, or

(b) in any other case, whichever of the following employee representatives the employer chooses—

(i) employee representatives appointed or elected by the affected employees otherwise than for the purposes of this Article, who (having regard to the purposes for and the method by which they were appointed or elected) have authority from those employees to receive information and to be consulted about the proposed dismissals on their behalf;

(ii) employee representatives elected by the affected employees, for the purposes of this Article, in an election satisfying the requirements of Article 216A(1).]

(4) The consultation shall include consultation about ways of—

(a) avoiding the dismissals,

(b) reducing the numbers of employees to be dismissed, and

(c) mitigating the consequences of the dismissals,

and shall be undertaken by the employer with a view to reaching agreement with the appropriate representatives.

(5) In determining how many employees an employer is proposing to dismiss as redundant no account shall be taken of employees in respect of whose proposed dismissals consultation has already begun.

(6) For the purposes of the consultation the employer shall disclose in writing to the appropriate representatives—

(a) the reasons for his proposals,

(b) the numbers and descriptions of employees whom it is proposed to dismiss as redundant,

(c) the total number of employees of any such description employed by the employer at the establishment in question,

(d) the proposed method of selecting the employees who may be dismissed,

(e) the proposed method of carrying out the dismissals, with due regard to any agreed procedure, including the period over which the dismissals are to take effect,

(f) the proposed method of calculating the amount of any redundancy payments to be made (otherwise than in compliance with an obligation imposed by or by virtue of any statutory provision) to employees who may be dismissed.

[F537 (g) the number of agency workers working temporarily for and under the supervision and direction of the employer,

(h) the parts of the employer's undertaking in which those agency workers are working, and

(i) the type of work those agency workers are carrying out.]

(7) That information shall be given to each of the appropriate representatives by being delivered to them, or sent by post to an address notified by them to the employer, or (in the case of representatives of a trade union) sent by post to the union at the address of its head or main office.

(8) The employer shall allow the appropriate representatives access to[F536 the affected employees] and shall afford to those representatives such accommodation and other facilities as may be appropriate.

(9) If in any case there are special circumstances which render it not reasonably practicable for the employer to comply with a requirement of paragraph (2), (4) or (6), the employer shall take all such steps towards compliance with that requirement as are reasonably practicable in those circumstances.

(10) Where the decision leading to the proposed dismissals is that of a person controlling the employer (directly or indirectly), a failure on the part of that person to provide information to the employer shall not constitute special circumstances rendering it not reasonably practicable for the employer to comply with any of those requirements.

(11) Where—

[F536 (a) the employer has invited any of the affected employees to elect employees representatives, and]

(b) the invitation was issued long enough before the time when the consultation is required by paragraph (2)(a) or (b) to begin to allow them to elect representatives by that time,

the employer shall be treated as complying with the requirements of this Article in relation to those employees if he complies with those requirements as soon as is reasonably practicable after the election of the representatives.

[F536 (11A) If, after the employer has invited affected employees to elect representatives, the affected employees have failed to do so within a reasonable time, he shall give to each affected employee the information set out in paragraph (6).]

(12) This Article does not confer any rights on a trade union, a representative or an employee except as provided by Articles 217 to 220.

[F538 (13) In this Article “"agency worker”” has the same meaning as in regulation 3 of the Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.]

F536 SR 1999/432

F537 Art. 216(6)(g)-(i) added (5.12.2011) by Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), Sch. 2 para. 16(2)

F538 Art. 216(13) inserted (5.12.2011) by Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), Sch. 2 para. 16(3)

[F539 Election of employee representatives N.I.

216A.— (1) The requirements for the election of employee representatives under Article 216(3)(b)(ii) are that—

(a) the employer shall make such arrangements as are reasonably practical to ensure that the election is fair;

(b) the employer shall determine the number of representatives to be elected so that there are sufficient representatives to represent the interests of all the affected employees having regard to the number and classes of those employees;

(c) the employer shall determine whether the affected employees should be represented either by representatives of all the affected employees or by representatives of particular classes of those employees;

(d) before the election the employer shall determine the term of office as employee representatives so that it is of sufficient length to enable information to be given and consultations under Article 216 to be completed;

(e) the candidates for election as employee representatives are affected employees on the date of the election;

(f) no affected employee is unreasonably excluded from standing for election;

(g) all affected employees on the date of the election are entitled to vote for employee representatives;

(h) the employees entitled to vote may vote for as many candidates as there are representatives to be elected to represent them, or if there are to be representatives for particular classes of employees, may vote for as many candidates as there are representatives to be elected to represent their particular class of employee;

(i) the election is conducted so as to secure that—

(i) so far as is reasonably practicable, those voting do so in secret, and

(ii) the votes given at the election are accurately counted.

(2) Where, after an election of employee representatives satisfying the requirements of paragraph (1) has been held, one of those elected ceases to act as an employee representative and any of those employees are no longer represented, they shall elect another representative by an election satisfying the requirements of paragraph (1)(a), (e), (f) and (i).]

F539 SR 1999/432

Complaint and protective award N.I.

217.— [F540 (1) Where an employer has failed to comply with a requirement of Article 216 or Article 216A, a complaint may be presented to an industrial tribunal on that ground—

(a) in the case of a failure relating to the election of employee representatives, by any of the affected employees or by any of the employees who have been dismissed as redundant,

(b) in the case of any other failure relating to employee representatives, by any of the employee representatives to whom the failure related,

(c) in the case of failure relating to representatives of a trade union, by the trade union, and

(d) in any other case, by any of the affected employees or by any of the employees who have been dismissed as redundant.]

[F540 (1A) If on a complaint under paragraph (1) a question arises as to whether or not any employee representative was an appropriate representative for the purposes of Article 216, it shall be for the employer to show that the employee representative had the authority to represent the affected employees.

(1B) On a complaint under paragraph (1)(a) it shall be for the employer to show that the requirements in Article 216A have been satisfied.]

(2) If the tribunal finds the complaint well-founded it shall make a declaration to that effect and may also make a protective award.

(3) A protective award is an award in respect of one or more descriptions of employees—

(a) who have been dismissed as redundant, or whom it is proposed to dismiss as redundant, and

(b) in respect of whose dismissal or proposed dismissal the employer has failed to comply with a requirement of Article 216,

ordering the employer to pay remuneration for the protected period.

(4) The protected period—

(a) begins with the date on which the first of the dismissals to which the complaint relates takes effect, or the date of the award, whichever is the earlier, and

(b) is of such length as the tribunal determines to be just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard to the seriousness of the employer's default in complying with any requirement of Article 216;

but shall not exceed 90 daysF540 . . . .

(5) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under this Article unless it is presented to the tribunal—

(a) before the date on which the last of the dismissals to which the complaint relates takes effect, or

(b) during the period of three months beginning with that date, or

(c) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented during that period of three months.

[F541 (5A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (5)(b).]

(6) If on a complaint under this Article a question arises—

(a) whether there were special circumstances which rendered it not reasonably practicable for the employer to comply with any requirement of Article 216, or

(b) whether he took all such steps towards compliance with that requirement as were reasonably practicable in those circumstances,

it is for the employer to show that there were and that he did.

F540 SR 1999/432

F541 Art. 217(5A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 39; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Entitlement under protective award N.I.

218.—(1) Where an industrial tribunal has made a protective award, every employee of a description to which the award relates is entitled, subject to the following provisions and to Article 219, to be paid remuneration by his employer for the protected period.

(2) The rate of remuneration payable is a week's pay for each week of the period; and remuneration in respect of a period less than one week shall be calculated by reducing proportionately the amount of a week's pay.

(3) An employee is not entitled to remuneration under a protective award in respect of a period during which he is employed by the employer unless he would be entitled to be paid by the employer in respect of that period—

(a) by virtue of his contract of employment, or

(b) by virtue of Articles 119 to 123 (rights of employee in period of notice),

if that period fell within the period of notice required to be given by Article 118(1).

(4) If an employee of a description to which a protective award relates dies during the protected period, the award has effect in his case as if the protected period ended on his death.

Termination of employment during protected period N.I.

219.—(1) Where the employee is employed by the employer during the protected period and—

(a) he is fairly dismissed by his employer otherwise than as redundant, or

(b) he unreasonably terminates the contract of employment,

then, subject to the following provisions, he is not entitled to remuneration under the protective award in respect of any period during which but for that dismissal or termination he would have been employed.

(2) If an employer makes an employee an offer (whether in writing or not and whether before or after the ending of his employment under the previous contract) to renew his contract of employment, or to re-engage him under a new contract, so that the renewal or re-engagement would take effect before or during the protected period, and either—

(a) the provisions of the contract as renewed, or of the new contract, as to the capacity and place in which he would be employed, and as to the other terms and conditions of his employment, would not differ from the corresponding provisions of the previous contract, or

(b) the offer constitutes an offer of suitable employment in relation to the employee,

the following paragraphs have effect.

(3) If the employee unreasonably refuses the offer, he is not entitled to remuneration under the protective award in respect of a period during which but for that refusal he would have been employed.

(4) If the employee's contract of employment is renewed, or he is re-engaged under a new contract of employment, in pursuance of such an offer as is referred to in paragraph (2)(b), there shall be a trial period in relation to the contract as renewed, or the new contract (whether or not there has been a previous trial period under this Article).

(5) The trial period begins with the ending of his employment under the previous contract and ends with the expiration of the period of four weeks beginning with the date on which he starts work under the contract as renewed, or the new contract, or such longer period as may be agreed in accordance with paragraph (6) for the purpose of retraining the employee for employment under that contract.

(6) Any such agreement—

(a) shall be made between the employer and the employee or his representative before the employee starts work under the contract as renewed or, as the case may be, the new contract,

(b) shall be in writing,

(c) shall specify the date of the end of the trial period, and

(d) shall specify the terms and conditions of employment which will apply in the employee's case after the end of that period.

(7) If during the trial period—

(a) the employee, for whatever reason, terminates the contract, or gives notice to terminate it and the contract is thereafter, in consequence, terminated, or

(b) the employer, for a reason connected with or arising out of the change to the renewed, or new, employment, terminates the contract, or gives notice to terminate it and the contract is thereafter, in consequence, terminated,

the employee remains entitled under the protective award unless, in a case falling within sub-paragraph (a), he acted unreasonably in terminating or giving notice to terminate the contract.

Complaint by employee to industrial tribunal N.I.

220.—(1) An employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal on the ground that he is an employee of a description to which a protective award relates and that his employer has failed, wholly or in part, to pay him remuneration under the award.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not entertain a complaint under this Article unless it is presented to the tribunal—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day (or, if the complaint relates to more than one day, the last of the days) in respect of which the complaint is made of failure to pay remuneration, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

[F542 (2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).]

(3) Where the tribunal finds a complaint under this Article well-founded it shall order the employer to pay the complainant the amount of remuneration which it finds is due to him.

F542 Art. 220(2A) inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 40; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Duty of employer to notify Department N.I.

Duty of employer to notify Department of certain redundancies N.I.

221.—(1) An employer proposing to dismiss as redundant 100 or more employees at one establishment within a period of 90 days or less shall notify the Department, in writing, of his proposal

[F543 (a) before giving notice to terminate an employee's contract of employment in respect of any of those dismissals, and

(b)] at least 90 days before the first of those dismissals takes effect.

(2) An employer proposing to dismiss as redundant 20 or more employees at one establishment within such a period shall notify the Department, in writing, of his proposal

[F544 (a) before giving notice to terminate an employee's contract of employment in respect of any of those dismissals, and

(b)] at least 30 days before the first of those dismissals takes effect.

(3) In determining how many employees an employer is proposing to dismiss as redundant within the period mentioned in paragraph (1) or (2), no account shall be taken of employees in respect of whose proposed dismissal notice has already been given to the Department.

(4) A notice under this Article shall—

(a) be given to the Department by delivery to the Department or by sending it by post to the Department, at such address as the Department may direct in relation to the establishment where the employees proposed to be dismissed are employed,

(b) where there are representatives to be consulted under Article 216, identify them and state the date when consultation with them under that Article began, and

(c) be in such form and contain such particulars, in addition to those required by sub-paragraph (b), as the Department may direct.

(5) After receiving a notice under this Article from an employer the Department may by written notice require the employer to give it such further information as may be specified in the notice.

(6) Where there are representatives to be consulted under Article 216 the employer shall give to each of them a copy of any notice given under paragraph (1) or (2).

The copy shall be delivered to them or sent by post to an address notified by them to the employer, or (in the case of representatives of a trade union) sent by post to the union at the address of its head or main office.

(7) If in any case there are special circumstances rendering it not reasonably practicable for the employer to comply with any of the requirements of paragraphs (1) to (6), he shall take all such steps towards compliance with that requirement as are reasonably practicable in the circumstances.

(8) Where the decision leading to the proposed dismissals is that of a person controlling the employer (directly or indirectly), a failure on the part of that person to provide information to the employer shall not constitute special circumstances rendering it not reasonably practicable for the employer to comply with any of those requirements.

F543 Art. 221(1)(a)(b) inserted (8.10.2006) by Collective Redundancies (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/369), reg. 3(2)

F544 Art. 221(2)(a)(b) inserted (8.10.2006) by Collective Redundancies (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/369), reg. 3(2)

[F545 Duty of employer to notify competent authority of a vessel’s flag State of certain redundancies N.I.

221A.— (1) Article 221 has effect subject to this Article if—

(a) the duty under Article 221(1) or (2) applies to a proposal to dismiss employees as redundant, and

(b) the employees concerned are members of the crew of a seagoing vessel which is registered at a port outside Northern Ireland.

(2) The employer must give the notification required by Article 221(1) or (2) to the competent authority of the State where the vessel is registered (instead of to the Department).]

F545 Art. 221A inserted (26.1.2020) by The Seafarers (Collective Redundancies, Information and Consultation and Insolvency Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/12), regs. 1(1), 3(2) (with reg. 3(5))

Offence of failure to notify N.I.

222.—(1) An employer who fails to give notice to the Department in accordance with Article 221 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(2) Proceedings for such an offence shall be instituted only by or with the consent of the Department or by an officer authorised for that purpose by special or general directions of the Department.

(3) An officer so authorised may, although not of counsel or a solicitor, prosecute or conduct proceedings for such an offence before a magistrates' court.

Supplementary provisions N.I.

Construction of references to dismissal as redundant etc. N.I.

223.—(1) In this Part references to dismissal as redundant are references to dismissal for a reason not related to the individual concerned or for a number of reasons all of which are not so related.

(2) For the purposes of any proceedings under this Part, where an employee is or is proposed to be dismissed it shall be presumed, -unless the contrary is proved, that he is or is proposed to be dismissed as redundant.

Construction of references to representatives N.I.

224.—(1) For the purposes of this Part persons are employee representatives if—

(a) they have been elected by employees for the specific purpose of being consulted by their employer about dismissals proposed by him, or

(b) having been elected[F546 or appointed] by employees (whether before or after dismissals have been proposed by their employer) otherwise than for that specific purpose, it is appropriate (having regard to the purposes for which were elected) for the employer to consult them about dismissals proposed by him,

and (in either case) they when they are elected[F546 or appointed].

(2) References in this relation to an employer, by the trade union to employer. are employed by the employer at the time Part to representatives of a trade union, in are to officials or other persons authorised carry on collective bargaining with the employer.

[F546 (3) References in this Part to affected employees are to employees who may be affected by the proposed dismissals or who may be affected by measures taken in connection with such dismissals.]

F546 SR 1999/432

Power to vary provisions N.I.

225.  The Department may by order vary—

(a) the provisions of Articles 216(1) and (2) and 221(1) (requirements as to consultation and notification), and

(b) the periods referred to at the end of Article 217(4) (maximum protected period);

but no such order shall be made which has the effect of reducing to less than 30 days the periods referred to in Articles 216(2) and 221(1) as the periods which must elapse before the first of the dismissals takes effect.

Power to adapt provisions in case of collective agreement N.I.

226.—(1) This Article applies where there is in force a collective agreement which establishes—

(a) arrangements for providing alternative employment for employees to whom the agreement relates if they are dismissed as redundant by an employer to whom it relates, or

(b) arrangements for the dismissal of employees as redundant.

(2) On the application of all the parties to the agreement the Department may, if it is satisfied having regard to the provisions of the agreement that the arrangements are on the whole at least as favourable to those employees as the foregoing provisions of this Part, by order adapt, modify or exclude any of those provisions both in their application to all or any of those employees and in their application to any other employees of any such employer.

(3) The Department shall not make such an order unless the agreement—

(a) provides for procedures to be followed (whether by arbitration or otherwise) in cases where an employee to whom the agreement relates claims that any employer or other person to whom it relates has not complied with the provisions of the agreement, and

(b) provides that those procedures include a right to arbitration or adjudication by an independent referee or body in cases where (by reason of an equality of votes or otherwise) a decision cannot otherwise be reached,

or indicates that any such employee may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal that any such employer or other person has not complied with those provisions.

(4) An order under this Article may confer on an industrial tribunal to which a complaint is presented as mentioned in paragraph (3) such powers and duties as the Department considers appropriate.

(5) An order under this Article may be varied or revoked by a subsequent order thereunder either in pursuance of an application made by all or any of the parties to the agreement in question or without any such application.

PART XIV N.I. INSOLVENCY OF EMPLOYERS

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C76 Pt. XIV (arts. 227-235) modified (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 8(4), Sch. 1 para. 5 (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C77 Pt. XIV (arts. 227-235) applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 8(3)(4)

Employee's rights on insolvency of employer N.I.

227.  If, on an application made to the Department in writing by an employee, the Department is satisfied that—

(a) the employee's employer has become insolvent,

(b) the employee's employment has been terminated, and

(c) on the appropriate date the employee was entitled to be paid the whole or part of any debt to which this Part applies,

the Department shall, subject to Article 231, pay the employee out of the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund the amount to which, in the opinion of the Department, the employee is entitled in respect of the debt.

Insolvency N.I.

228.—(1) An employer has become insolvent for the purposes of this Part—

(a) where the employer is an individual, if (but only if) paragraph [F547 (2), (4ZA) or (4A)] is satisfied,F548 . . .

(b) where the employer is a company, if (but only if) paragraph [F549 (3), (4ZA) or (4A)] is satisfied[F548 , F550 ...]

[F548 (c) where the employer is a limited liability partnership, if (but only if) paragraph [F551 (4), (4ZA) or (4A)] is satisfied][F552 , and

(d) where the employer is not any of the above, if (but only if) paragraph [F553 (4ZA) or (4A)] is satisfied.]

.

(2) This paragraph is satisfied in the case of an employer who is an individual if—

(a) he has been adjudged bankrupt or has made a composition or arrangement with his creditors, or

[F554 (aa) a moratorium period under a debt relief order applies in relation to him, or]

(b) he has died and his estate falls to be administered in accordance with an order under Article 365 of the [1989 NI 19.] Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.

(3) This paragraph is satisfied in a case of an employer which is a company—

(a) if a winding up orderF555 . . . has been made, or a resolution for voluntary winding up has been passed, with respect to the company,

[F556 (aa) if the company is in administration for the purposes of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989,]

(b) if a receiver or a manager of the company's undertaking has been duly appointed, or possession has been taken, by or on behalf of the holders of any debentures secured by a floating charge, of any property of the company comprised in or subject to the charge, or

(c) if a voluntary arrangement proposed in the case of the company for the purposes of Part II of the [1989 NI 19.] Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 has been approved under that Part.

[F548 (4) This paragraph is satisfied in the case of an employer which is a limited liability partnership—

(a) if a winding-up order, an administration order or a determination for a voluntary winding-up has been made with respect to the limited liability partnership,

(b) if a receiver or a manager of the undertaking of the limited liability partnership has been duly appointed, or possession has been taken, by or on behalf of the holders of any debentures secured by a floating charge, of any property of the limited liability partnership comprised in or subject to the charge, or

(c) if a voluntary arrangement proposed in the case of the limited liability partnership for the purposes of Part II of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 has been approved under that Part.]

[F557 (4ZA) This paragraph is satisfied in the case of an employer if—

(a) the employer is a legal person,

(b) a request has been made for the first opening of collective proceedings—

(i) based on the insolvency of the employer, as provided for under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, and

(ii) involving the partial or total divestment of the employer's assets and the appointment of a liquidator or a person performing a similar task, and

(c) any of the following has decided to open the proceedings—

(i) a court,

(ii) a meeting of creditors, or

(iii) the creditors by a decision procedure.]

[F558 (4A) This paragraph is satisfied in the case of an employer if—

(a) a request has been made for the first opening of collective proceedings—

(i) based on the insolvency of the employer, as provided for under the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of a member State, and

(ii) involving the partial or total divestment of the employer’s assets and the appointment of a liquidator or a person performing a similar task, and

(b) the competent authority has—

(i) decided to open the proceedings, or

(ii) established that the employer’s undertaking or business has been definitively closed down and the available assets of the employer are insufficient to warrant the opening of the proceedings.

(4B) For the purposes of [F559 this Article]—

(a) “liquidator or a person performing a similar task” includes the official receiver or an administrator, trustee in bankruptcy, judicial factor, supervisor of a voluntary arrangement, or a person performing a similar task;

(b) “competent authority” includes—

(i) a court,

(ii) a meeting of creditors,

(iii) a creditors’ committee,

(iv) the creditors by a decision procedure, and

(v) an authority of a member State empowered to open insolvency proceedings, to confirm the opening of such proceedings or to take decisions in the course of such proceedings.

(4C) An employee may apply under Article 227 (employee’s rights on insolvency of employer) only if the employee worked or habitually worked in Northern Ireland in that employment to which the application relates.]

F547 Words in art. 228(1)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(3)(a)(i) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F548 SR 2004/307

F549 Words in art. 228(1)(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(3)(a)(ii) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F550 Word in art. 228(1)(b) omitted (31.1.2019) by virtue of The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 255(3)(a)(ii) (with regs. 4, 5)

F551 Words in art. 228(1)(c) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(3)(a)(iii) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F552 Art. 228(1)(d) and word inserted (31.1.2019) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 255(3)(a)(iv) (with regs. 4, 5)

F553 Words in art. 228(1)(d) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(3)(a)(iv) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F554 Art. 228(2)(aa) inserted (30.6.2011) by Debt Relief Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 16), ss. 6, 7(1), Sch. para. 5; S.R. 2011/13, art. 2

F555 Words in art. 228(3)(a) repealed (27.3.2006) by Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1455 (N.I. 10)), arts. 1(3), 3(3), 31, Sch. 2 para. 54(3)(a), Sch. 9; S.R. 2006/21, art. 2 (with S.R. 2006/22, arts. 2-7)

F556 Art. 228(3)(aa) inserted (27.3.2006) by Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1455 (N.I. 10)), arts. 1(3), 3(3), Sch. 2 para. 54(3)(b); S.R. 2006/21, art. 2 (with S.R. 2006/22, arts. 2-7)

F557 Art. 228(4ZA) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(3)(b) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F558 Art. 228(4A)-(4C) inserted (31.1.2019) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 255(3)(b) (with regs. 4, 5)

F559 Words in art. 228(4B) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/146), reg. 1(3), Sch. para. 257(3)(c) (with regs. 4, 5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Debts to which Part applies N.I.

229.—(1) This Part applies to the following debts—

(a) any arrears of pay in respect of one or more (but not more than eight) weeks,

(b) any amount which the employer is liable to pay the employee for the period of notice required by Article 118(1) or (2) or for any failure of the employer to give the period of notice required by Article 118(1),

(c) any holiday pay—

(i) in respect of a period or periods of holiday not exceeding six weeks in all, and

(ii) to which the employee became entitled during the twelve months ending with the appropriate date,

(d) any basic award of compensation for unfair dismissal[F560 or so much of an award under a designated dismissal procedures agreement as does not exceed any basic award of compensation for unfair dismissal to which the employee would be entitled but for the agreement], and

(e) any reasonable sum by way of reimbursement of the whole or part of any fee or premium paid by an apprentice or articled clerk.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) the following amounts shall be treated as arrears of pay—

(a) a guarantee payment,

(b) any payment for time off under Part VII;

(c) remuneration on suspension on medical grounds under Article 96 and remuneration on suspension on maternity grounds under Article 100, and

(d) remuneration under a protective award made under Article 217.

(3) In paragraph (1)(c) “holiday pay”, in relation to an employee, means—

(a) pay in respect of a holiday actually taken by the employee, or

(b) any accrued holiday pay which, under the employee's contract of employment, would in the ordinary course have become payable to him in respect of the period of a holiday if his employment with the employer had continued until he became entitled to a holiday.

(4) A sum shall be taken to be reasonable for the purposes of paragraph (1)(e) in a case where a trustee in bankruptcy or liquidator has been or is required to be appointed if it is admitted to be reasonable by the trustee in bankruptcy or liquidator under Article 319 of the [1989 NI 19.] Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (effect of bankruptcy on apprenticeships etc.), whether as originally enacted or as applied to the winding up of a company by rules under Article 359 of that Order.

F560 1998 NI 8

The appropriate date N.I.

230.  In this Part “the appropriate date”

(a) in relation to arrears of pay (not being remuneration under a protective award made under Article 217) and to holiday pay, means the date on which the employer became insolvent,

(b) in relation to a basic award of compensation for unfair dismissal and to remuneration under a protective award so made, means whichever is the latest of—

(i) the date on which the employer became insolvent,

(ii) the date of the termination of the employee's employment, and

(iii) the date on which the award was made, and

(c) in relation to any other debt to which this Part applies, means whichever is the later of—

(i) the date on which the employer became insolvent, and

(ii) the date of the termination of the employee's employment.

Limit on amount payable under Article 227 N.I.

231.—(1) The total amount payable to an employee in respect of any debt to which this Part applies, where the amount of the debt is referable to a period of time, shall not exceed—

(a) [F561 £669] in respect of any one week, or

(b) in respect of a shorter period, an amount bearing the same proportion to [F561 £669] as that shorter period bears to a week.

Para. (2) rep. by 1999 NI 9

F561 Sum in art. 231(1)(a)(b) substituted (6.4.2023) by The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/36), art. 1(1), Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C78 Art. 231(1)(a)(b): power to amend conferred (1.10.2006) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 16(1)(b); S.R. 2006/344, art. 3(d)

Role of relevant officer N.I.

232.—(1) Where a relevant officer has been, or is required to be, appointed in connection with an employer's insolvency, the Department shall not make a payment under Article 227 in respect of a debt until it has received a statement from the relevant officer of the amount of that debt which appears to have been owed to the employee on the appropriate date and to remain unpaid.

(2) If the Department is satisfied that it does not require a statement under paragraph (1) in order to determine the amount of a debt which was owed to the employee on the appropriate date and remains unpaid, it may make a payment under Article 227 in respect of the debt without having received such a statement.

(3) A relevant officer shall, on request by the Department, provide it with a statement for the purposes of paragraph (1) as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(4) The following are relevant officers for the purposes of this Article—

(a) a trustee in bankruptcy,

(b) a liquidator,

(c) an administrator,

(d) a receiver or manager,

(e) a trustee under a composition or arrangement between employer and his creditors, and

(f) a trustee under a trust deed for his creditors executed by employer.

(5) In paragraph (4)(e) “trustee” includes the supervisor of a voluntary arrangement proposed for the purposes of, and approved under, Part II or VIII of the [1989 NI 19.] Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.

Complaints to industrial tribunals N.I.

233.—(1) A person who has applied for a payment under Article 227 may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal—

(a) that the Department has failed to make any such payment, or

(b) that any such payment made by the Department is less than the amount which should have been paid.

(2) An industrial tribunal shall not consider a complaint under paragraph (1) unless it is presented—

(a) before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date on which the decision of the Department on the application was communicated to the applicant, or

(b) within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable in a case where it is not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented before the end of that period of three months.

(3) Where an industrial tribunal finds that the Department ought to make a payment under Article 227, the tribunal shall—

(a) make a declaration to that effect, and

(b) declare the amount of any such payment which it finds the Department ought to make.

Transfer to Department of rights and remedies N.I.

234.—(1) Where, in pursuance of Article 227, the Department makes a payment to an employee in respect of a debt to which this Part applies—

(a) on the making of the payment any rights and remedies of the employee in respect of the debt (or, if the Department has paid only part of it, in respect of that part) become rights and remedies of the Department, and

(b) any decision of an industrial tribunal requiring an employer to pay that debt to the employee has the effect that the debt (or the part of it which the Department has paid) is to be paid to the Department.

(2) Where a debt (or any part of a debt) in respect of which the Department has made a payment in pursuance of Article 227 constitutes a preferential debt within the meaning of the [1989 NI 19.] Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 for the purposes of any provision of that Order (including any such provision as applied by any order made under that Order)F562 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., the rights which become rights of the Department in accordance with paragraph (1) include any right arising under any such provision by reason of the status of the debt (or that part of it) as a preferential debt.

(3) In computing for the purposes of any provision mentioned in paragraph (2) the aggregate amount payable in priority to other creditors of the employer in respect of—

(a) any claim of the Department to be paid in priority to other creditors of the employer by virtue of paragraph (2), and

(b) any claim by the employee to be so paid made in his own right,

any claim of the Department to be so paid by virtue of paragraph (2) shall be treated as if it were a claim of the employee.

(4) F563 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) Any sum recovered by the Department in exercising any right, or pursuing any remedy, which is the Department's by virtue of this Article shall be paid into the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund.

F562 Words in art. 234(2) omitted (6.4.2008) by virtue of Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments etc) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/948), arts. 2(2), 3(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 204 (with arts. 6, 11, 12)

F563 Art. 234(4) repealed (27.3.2006) by Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1455 (N.I. 10)), arts. 1(3), 3(3), 31, Sch. 2 para. 54(4), Sch. 9; S.R. 2006/21, art. 2 (with S.R. 2006/22, arts. 2-7)

Power to obtain information N.I.

235.—(1) Where an application is made to the Department under Article 227 in respect of a debt owed by an employer, the Department may require—

(a) the employer to provide the Department with such information as it may reasonably require for the purpose of determining whether the application is well-founded, and

(b) any person having the custody or control of any relevant records or other documents to produce for examination on behalf of the Department any such document in that person's custody or under his control which is of such a description as the Department may require.

(2) Any such requirement—

(a) shall be made by notice in writing given to the person on whom the requirement is imposed, and

(b) may be varied or revoked by a subsequent notice so given.

(3) If a person refuses or wilfully neglects to furnish any information or produce any document which he has been required to furnish or produce by a notice under this Article he is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(4) If a person, in purporting to comply with a requirement of a notice under this Article, knowingly or recklessly makes any false statement he is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

PART XV N.I. MISCELLANEOUS

CHAPTER I N.I. PARTICULAR TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT

Crown employment etc. N.I.

Crown employment N.I.

236.—(1) Subject to Articles 237 and 238, the provisions of this Order to which this Article applies have effect in relation to Crown employment and persons in Crown employment as they have effect in relation to other employment and other employees or workers.

(2) This Article applies to—

(a) Parts I to[F564 IXA,],

(b) in Part X, Articles 124 and 125,

(c) Part XI, and

(d) this Part and Part XVI.

(3) In this Order “Crown employment” means employment under or for the purposes of a government department or any officer or body exercising on behalf of the Crown functions conferred by a statutory provision.

(4) For the purposes of the application of provisions of this Order in relation to Crown employment in accordance with paragraph (1)—

(a) references to an employee or a worker shall be construed as references to a person in Crown employment,

(b) references to a contract of employment, or a worker's contract, shall be construed as references to the terms of employment of a person in Crown employment,

(c) references to dismissal, or to the termination of a worker's contract, shall be construed as references to the termination of Crown employment,

(d) references to redundancy shall be construed as references to the existence of such circumstances as are treated, in accordance with any arrangements falling within Article 212(3) or (4) for the time being in force, as equivalent to redundancy in relation to Crown employment,F565 . . .

[F566 (dd) the reference in Article 130B(2)(a) to the employer's undertaking shall be construed as a reference to the national interest, and]

(e) [F566 any other reference] to an undertaking shall be construed—

(i) in relation to a Minister of the Crown, as references to his functions or (as the context may require) to the department of which he is in charge, and

(ii) in relation to a government department, officer or body, as references to the functions of the department, officer or body or (as the context may require) to the department, officer or body.

(5) Where the terms of employment of a person in Crown employment restrict his right to take part in—

(a) certain political activities, or

(b) activities which may conflict with his official functions,

nothing in Article 78 requires him to be allowed time off work for public duties connected with any such activities.

(6) Part II applies in relation to Crown employment otherwise than under a contract only where the terms of employment correspond to those of a contract of employment.

(7) Article 27, and the other provisions of Part II applying in relation to that Article, bind the Crown so far as they relate to the activities of an employment agency in relation to employment to which those provisions apply.

(8) Articles 194 and 195 are without prejudice to any exemption or immunity of the Crown.

F564 2002 NI 2

F565 2004 NI 19

F566 2004 NI 19

Armed forces N.I.

237.—(1) Article 236—

(a) applies to service as a member of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown but subject to the following provisions of this Article, and

(b) applies to employment by an association established for the purposes of Part VI of the [1980 c. 9.] Reserve Forces Act 1980.

(2) The provisions of this Order which have effect by virtue of Article 236 in relation to service as a member of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown are—

(a) Parts I and III,

[F567 (aa) in Part VI, [F568 Articles [F569 67M] 68A, 70C and 70D] and Articles 71 and 72 so far as relating to [F570 those Articles],]

Sub‐para. (ab) rep. by 2002 c. 21

(b) in Part VII, Articles[F571 83 to 85B],

(c) Parts VIII and IX,

(d) in Part X, Articles 124 and 125,

(e) Part XI, apart from Articles[F572 130B(2)] 132 to 134[F573 ,135C] and 136, and

(f) this Part and Part XVI.

(3) The Department may by order—

(a) amend paragraph (2) by making additions to, or omissions from, the provisions for the time being specified in that paragraph, and

(b) make any provision for the time being so specified apply to service as a member of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be specified in the order,

but no provision contained in Part IV may be added to the provisions for the time being specified in paragraph (2).

(4) Modifications made by an order under paragraph (3) may include provision precluding the making of a complaint or reference to any industrial tribunal unless the person aggrieved has availed himself of the [F574 service complaint procedures] applicable to him.

(5) Where modifications made by an order under paragraph (3) include provision such as is mentioned in paragraph (4), the order shall also include provision designed to secure that the [F575 service complaint procedures] result in a determination, or what is to be treated under the order as a determination, in sufficient time to enable a complaint or reference to be made to an industrial tribunal.

(6) In paragraphs (4) and (5)[F576 “the service complaint procedures” means the procedures prescribed by regulations under section 334 of the Armed Forces Act 2006.]

(7) No provision shall be made by virtue of paragraph (4) which has the effect of substituting a period longer than six months for any period specified as the normal period for a complaint or reference.

(8) In paragraph (7) “the normal period for a complaint or reference”, in relation to any matter within the jurisdiction of an industrial tribunal, means the period specified in the relevant statutory provision as the period within which the complaint or reference must be made (disregarding any provision permitting an extension of that period at the discretion of the tribunal).

F567 SR 1998/386

F568 Words in art. 237(2)(aa) substituted (1.9.2002 for certain purposes, otherwise prosp.) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 27, 61, Sch. 1 para. 2(5)(a); S.I. 2002/1727, art. 2

F569 Word in art. 237(2)(aa) inserted (24.7.2005) by Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/3078 (N.I. 19)), arts. 1(2), 30(1), Sch. 2 para. 17(a); S.R. 2005/345, art. 3, Sch.

F570 Words in art. 237(2)(aa) substituted (1.9.2002 for certain purposes, otherwise prosp.) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 27, 61, Sch. 1 para. 2(5)(b); S.I. 2002/1727, art. 2

F571 1999 NI 9

F572 2004 NI 19

F573 2002 NI 2

F574 Words in art. 237(4) substituted (31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2054), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 15(a)

F575 Words in art. 237(5) substituted (31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2054), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 15(a)

F576 Art. 237(6): definition of "the service complaint procedures" substituted (31.10.2009) for the definition of "the service redress procedures" by Armed Forces Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2054), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 15(b) (with Sch. 2 para. 9)

[F577 National security N.I.

238.   Part VA and Article 70B do not apply in relation to employment for the purposes of—

(a) the Security Service; or

(b) the Secret Intelligence Service.]

F577 1999 NI 9

Excluded classes of employment N.I.

[F578 Employment outside Northern Ireland N.I.

239.— (1) The provisions to which this paragraph applies do not apply to employment where under his contract of employment an employee ordinarily works outside Northern Ireland.

(2) Paragraph (1) applies to—

(a) Part II;

(b) [F579 Chapters II and III] of Part VI;

(c) Articles 92 to 95;

(d) Articles [F580 221 to 222] .

[F579 (3) Chapters II and III of Part VI do not apply to employment where under his contract personally to do work or perform services a worker who is not an employee works outside Northern Ireland.]]

[F581 (4) For the purposes of paragraph (1) as it relates to Articles 221 to 222, employment on board a ship registered in the United Kingdom is to be treated as employment where under his contract a person ordinarily works in Northern Ireland.]

F578 1999 NI 9

F579 2004 NI 19

F580 Words in art. 239(2)(d) substituted (26.1.2020) by The Seafarers (Collective Redundancies, Information and Consultation and Insolvency Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/12), regs. 1(1), 3(3)(a) (with reg. 3(5))

F581 Art. 239(4) inserted (26.1.2020) by The Seafarers (Collective Redundancies, Information and Consultation and Insolvency Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/12), regs. 1(1), 3(3)(b) (with reg. 3(5))

Art. 240 rep. by SR 2002/298

Short-term employment N.I.

241.—(1) Articles 33 to 39 do not apply to an employee if his employment continues for less than one month.

(2) The provisions of Part XIII do not apply to employment—

(a) under a contract for a fixed term of three months or less, or

(b) under a contract made in contemplation of the performance of a specific task which is not expected to last for more than three months,

where the employee has not been continuously employed for a period of more than three months.

Mariners N.I.

242.—(1) Articles 33 to 39, Part IV and Articles 118 to 123 do not apply to a person employed as a seaman in a ship registered in the United Kingdom under a crew agreement the provisions and form of which are of a kind approved by the Secretary of State.

(2) Part II, Articles 40 to 42, Part V, Part VI (other than Article 69), Part VII (other than Articles 86 to 88), Parts VIII[F582 , IX and IXA], Articles 124 and 125 andF583 . . . [F584 Parts 11 and 12] do not apply to employment as master, or as a member of the crew, of a fishing vessel where the employee[F585 (or, in the case of Articles 73 to 77F), the worker)] is remunerated only by a share in the profits or gross earnings of the vessel.

Para. (3) rep. by 1999 NI 9

(4) Articles 40 to 42 and 78 to 82 F586 ... do not apply to employment as a merchant seaman.

(5) In paragraph (4) “employment as a merchant seaman”

(a) does not include employment in the fishing industry or employment on board a ship otherwise than by the owner, manager or charterer of that ship except employment as a radio officer, but

(b) subject to that, includes—

(i) employment as a master or a member of the crew of any ship,

(ii) employment as a trainee undergoing training for the sea service, and

(iii) employment in or about a ship in port by the owner, manager or charterer of the ship to do work of the kind ordinarily done by a merchant seaman on a ship while it is in port.

Para. (6) rep. by SR 2002/298

[F583 (7) The provisions mentioned in paragraph (8) apply to employment on board a ship registered in the register maintained under section 8 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 if and only if—

(a) the ship's entry in the register specifies a port in Northern Ireland as the port to which the vessel is to be treated as belonging;

(b) under his contract of employment the person employed does not work wholly outside Northern Ireland; and

(c) the person employed is ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland.

(8) The provisions are—

(a) Articles 40 to 42;

(b) Parts IV and V and Chapter I of Part VI;

(c) Part VII, apart from Articles 86 to 88;

(d) Parts VIII[F582 , IX and IXA];

(e) Articles 124 and 125; and

(f) Part XI.]

F582 2002 NI 2

F583 1999 NI 9

F584 Words in art. 242(2) substituted (26.1.2020) by The Seafarers (Collective Redundancies, Information and Consultation and Insolvency Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/12), regs. 1(1), 3(4)(a) (with reg. 3(5)(6))

F585 2004 NI 19

F586 Words in art. 242(4) omitted (26.1.2020) by virtue of The Seafarers (Collective Redundancies, Information and Consultation and Insolvency Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/12), regs. 1(1), 3(4)(b) (with reg. 3(5)(6))

Police officers N.I.

243.—(1) Articles 40 to 42, Part V,F587 . . . [F588 Article 67M][F589 Article 68A,][F590 Article 70,[F591 Article 70C,] Chapter II of Part VI] Part VII (other than Articles 86 to 88), Parts VIII and IX, Articles 124 and 125, Part XI,[F590 (except Articles 132[F592 , 134A] and 169A and the other provisions of that Part so far as relating to the right not to be unfairly dismissed in a case where the dismissal is unfair by virtue of Article 132[F592 or 134A] )]F591 . . . and Part XIII do not apply to employment under a contract of employment in police service or to persons engaged in such employment.

(2) Part II does not apply in relation to police service.

(3) In this Article “police service” means—

[F593 (a) service as a police officer;]

(b) subject to—

(i) section 126 of the [1994 c. 33.] Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (prison staff not to be regarded as in police service), and

(ii) Article 19 of the [1994 NI 1.] Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (airport constables not to be regarded as in police service),

service in any other capacity by virtue of which a person has the powers or privileges of a constable.

F587 2003 c. 6

F588 2004 NI 19

F589 SR 1998/386

F590 1997 NI 16

F591 1999 NI 9

F592 2003 c. 6

F593 2000 c. 32

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C79 Art. 243 restricted (1.12.2023) by Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (c. 41), s. 63(4), Sch. 1 paras. 15, 21 (with s. 61); S.I. 2023/1293, reg. 2(a)

CHAPTER II N.I. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

Restrictions on disclosure of information N.I.

National security etc. N.I.

244.—(1) Where in the opinion of the Secretary of State the disclosure of any information would be contrary to the interests of national security or would endanger public safety or public order—

(a) nothing in any of the provisions to which this Article applies requires any person to disclose the information, and

(b) no person shall disclose the information in any proceedings in any court or tribunal relating to any of those provisions.

(2) This Article applies to—

(a) Part III, so far as it relates to employment particulars,

(b) in Part VI,[F594 Articles[F595 67M] 68, 68A[F596 , 70 and 70C]] and Articles 71 and 72 so far as relating to those Articles,

(c) in Part VII, Articles[F596 83 to 85B] and 89 to 91,

(d) in Part VIII, Articles 98 to 100, and Articles 101 and 102 so far as relating to those Articles,

(e) Part IX,

(f) in Part X, Articles 124 and 125 where they apply by virtue of Article 124(4),

(g) Part XI so far as relating to a dismissal which is treated as unfair—

[F596 (i) by Article[F595 130B] 131, 132, 132A(d) or 134, or by Article 135 in its application in relation to time of under Article 85A,]

(ii) by paragraph (1) of Article 137 by reason of the application of paragraph[F595 (2A)], (3) or (5) of that Article,[F594 or by reason of the application of paragraph (3A) of that Article in so far as it applies where the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which an employee was selected for dismissal was that specified in Article 132A(d)] and

(h) Part I, this Part and Part XVI (so far as relating to any of the provisions in sub-paragraphs (a) to (g)).

F594 SR 1998/386

F595 2004 NI 19

F596 1999 NI 9

Contracting out etc. and remedies N.I.

Restrictions on contracting out N.I.

245.—(1) Any provision in an agreement (whether a contract of employment or not) is void in so far as it purports—

(a) to exclude or limit the operation of any provision of this Order, or

(b) to preclude a person from bringing any proceedings under this Order before an industrial tribunal.

(2) Paragraph (1)—

(a) does not apply to any provision in a collective agreement excluding rights under Article 60 if an order under Article 67 is for the time being in force in respect of it,

(b) does not apply to any provision in a dismissal procedures agreement excluding the right under Article 126 if that provision is not to have effect unless an order under Article 142 is for the time being in force in respect of it,

(c) does not apply to any provision in an agreement if an order under Article 192 is for the time being in force in respect of it,

Sub‐para. (d) rep. by SR 2002/298

(e) does not apply to any agreement to refrain from instituting or continuing proceedings where the Agency has taken action under [F597 any of Articles 20A to 20C] of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, and

(f) does not apply to any agreement to refrain from instituting or continuingF598 . . . any proceedings within[F599 the following provisions of Article 20(1) of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (cases where conciliation available)—

(i) sub-paragraph (c) (proceedings under this Order);

(ii) sub-paragraph (i) (proceedings arising out of the Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002;

(iii) sub-paragraph (j) (proceedings under those Regulations);]

if the conditions regulating compromise agreements under this Order are satisfied in relation to the agreement, and

(g) does not apply to any provision of a collective agreement excluding rights under Part XIII if an order under Article 226 is in force in respect of it.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(f) the conditions regulating compromise agreements under this Order are that—

(a) the agreement must be in writing,

(b) the agreement must relate to the particular[F598 proceedings],

(c) the employee or worker must have received[F598 advice from a relevent independent advisor] as to the terms and effect of the proposed agreement and, in particular, its effect on his ability to pursue his rights before an industrial tribunal.

(d) there must be in force, when the adviser gives the advice, a[F598 contract of insurance, or an indemnity provided for members of a profession or professional body,] covering the risk of a claim by the employee or worker in respect of loss arising in consequence of the advice,

(e) the agreement must identify the adviser, and

(f) the agreement must state that the conditions regulating compromise agreements under this Order are satisfied.

[F598 (3A) A person is a relevant independent adviser for the purposes of paragraph (3)(c)—

(a) if he is a qualified lawyer;

(b) if he is an officer, official, employee or member of an independent trade union who has been certified in writing by the trade union as competent to give advice and as authorised to do so on behalf of the trade union,

(c) if he works at an advice centre (whether as an employee or a volunteer) and has been certified in writing by the centre as competent to give advice and as authorised to do so on behalf of the centre, or

(d) if he is a person of a description specified in an order made by the Department.

(3B) But a person is not a relevant independent adviser for the purposes of paragraph (3)(c) in relation to the employee or worker—

(a) if he is, is employed by or is acting in the matter for the employer or an associated employer,

(b) in the case of a person within paragraph (3A)(b) or (c), if the trade union or advice centre is the employer or an associated employer,

(c) in the case of a person within paragraph (3A)(c), if the employee or worker makes a payment for the advice received from him, or

(d) in the case of a person of a description specified in an order under paragraph (3A)(d), if any condition specified in the order in relation to the giving of advice by persons of that description is not satisfied.

(4) In paragraph (3A)(a) “qualified lawyer” means a barrister (whether in practice as such or employed to give legal advice), or a solicitor who holds a practising certificate.]

[F598 (5) An agreement under which the parties agree to submit a dispute to arbitration—

(a) shall be regarded for the purposes of paragraph (2)(e) and (f) as being an agreement to refrain from instituting or continuing proceedings if—

(i) the dispute is covered by a scheme having effect by virtue of an order under Article 84A of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, and

(ii) the agreement is to submit it to arbitration in accordance with the scheme, but

(b) shall be regarded as neither being nor including such an agreement in any other case.]

F597 Words in art. 245(2)(e) substituted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 1 para. 1; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(m)

F598 1998 NI 8

F599 SR 2002/298

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C80 Art. 245 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2006) by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 18, Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C81 Art. 245 applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 18

C82 Art. 245 applied (5.12.2011) by Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/350), reg. 15

C83 Art. 245 applied (6.4.2014) by The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/88), regs. 1, 16

Law governing employment N.I.

246.—(1) For the purposes of this Order it is immaterial whether the law which (apart from this Order) governs any person's employment is the law of the United Kingdom, or of a part of the United Kingdom, or not.

Para. (2) rep. by 1999 NI 9

Remedy for infringement of certain rights N.I.

247.—(1) The remedy of an employee for infringement of any of the rights conferred by Article 40, Parts V to IX, Article 124, Part XI, Part XIII and Part XIV is, where provision is made for a complaint or the reference of a question to an industrial tribunal, by way of such a complaint or reference and not otherwise.

[F600 (1YA) In relation to the right conferred by Article 68(1A), the reference in paragraph (1) to an employee has effect as a reference to a worker.]

[F601 (1ZA) In relation to the right conferred by Article 68A, the reference in paragraph (1) to an employee has effect as a reference to a worker.]

[F602 (1A) In relation to the right conferred by Article 70B, the reference in paragraph (1) to an employee has effect as a reference to a worker.]

(2) The remedy of a worker in respect of any contravention of Article 45, 47, 50(1) or 53(1) is by way of a complaint under Article 55 and not otherwise.

[F603 (2A) The remedy of a person for infringement of the right conferred on him by Article 73 is by way of a complaint under Article 74 and not otherwise.]

[F603 (2B) The remedy of a person for infringement of the right conferred on him by Article 77A or Article 77B is by way of a complaint under that Article and not otherwise.]

(3) The remedy of a person for conduct which is unlawful by virtue of Part II is by way of a complaint to an industrial tribunal in accordance with that Part, and not otherwise.

No other legal liability arises by reason that conduct is unlawful by virtue of that Part.

F600 Art. 247(1YA) inserted (31.5.2021) by The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/103), arts. 1, 6

F601 SR 1998/386

F602 1998 NI 17

F603 2004 NI 19

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C84 Art. 247(I) applied (6.4.2006) by virtue of Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), regs. 2(3), 16(1), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with reg. 21(1)(5), Sch. 1 para. 3)

C85 Art. 247(1) applied (6.4.2006) by Service Provision Change (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/177), reg. 16(1)

General provisions about death of employer or employee N.I.

Institution or continuance of tribunal proceedings N.I.

248.—(1) Where an employer has died, any tribunal proceedings arising under any of the provisions of this Order to which this Article applies may be defended by a personal representative of the deceased employer.

(2) This Article and Article 249 apply to—

(a) Part III, so far as it relates to itemised pay statements,

(b) Part V,

(c) Part VI,

(d) Part VII, apart from Articles 86 to 88,

(e) Parts VIII and IX,

(f) in Part X, Articles 124 and 125, and

(g) Parts XI to XIV.

(3) Where an employee[F604 or worker] has died, any tribunal proceedings arising under any of the provisions of this Order to which this Article applies may be instituted or continued by a personal representative of the deceased employee[F604 or worker].

(4) If there is no personal representative of a deceased employee[F604 or worker], any tribunal proceedings arising under any of the provisions of this Order to which this Article applies may be instituted or continued on behalf of the estate of the deceased employee[F604 or worker] by any appropriate person appointed by the industrial tribunal.

(5) In paragraph (4) “appropriate person” means a person who is—

(a) authorised by the employee[F604 or worker] before his death to act in connection with the proceedings, or

(b) the[F605 surviving spouse, surviving civil partner], child, parent or brother or sister of the deceased employee[F604 or worker];

and in Part XII and the following provisions of this Article and Article 249 references to a personal representative include a person appointed under paragraph (4).

(6) In a case where proceedings are instituted or continued by virtue of paragraph (4), any award made by the industrial tribunal shall be—

(a) made in such terms, and

(b) enforceable in such manner,

as the Department may by regulations provide.

(7) Any reference in the provisions of this Order to which this Article applies to the doing of anything by or in relation to an employer or employee[F604 or worker] includes a reference to the doing of the thing by or in relation to a personal representative of the deceased employer or employee[F604 or worker].

(8) Any reference in the provisions of this Order to which this Article applies to a thing required or authorised to be done by or in relation to an employer or employee[F604 or worker] includes a reference to a thing required or authorised to be done by or in relation to a personal representative of the deceased employer or employee[F604 or worker].

(9) Paragraphs (7) and (8) do not prevent a reference to a successor of an employer including a personal representative of a deceased employer.

F604 2004 NI 19

F605 2004 c.33

Rights and liabilities accruing after death N.I.

249.—(1) Any right arising under any of the provisions of this Order to which this Article applies which accrues after the death of an employee [F606 or worker] devolves as if it had accrued before his death.

(2) Where an industrial tribunal determines under any provision of Part XII that an employer is liable to pay to a personal representative of a deceased employee—

(a) the whole of a redundancy payment to which he would have been entitled but for some provision of Part XII or Article 248, or

(b) such part of such a redundancy payment as the tribunal thinks fit,

the reference in paragraph (1) to a right includes any right to receive it.

(3) Where—

(a) by virtue of any of the provisions to which this Article applies a personal representative is liable to pay any amount, and

(b) the liability has not accrued before the death of the employer,

it shall be treated as a liability of the deceased employer which had accrued immediately before his death.

F606 2004 NI 19

Time limits in relation to certain mediated cross-border disputes N.I.

F607 249A.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F607 Art. 249A omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Cross-Border Mediation (EU Directive) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/469), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 13 (with reg. 5) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 4(5)(6)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[F608 Extension of certain time limits N.I.

F608 Art. 249B and cross-heading inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 41; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)

Extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings N.I.

249B— (1) This Article applies where this Order provides for it to apply for the purposes of a provision of this Order (a “relevant provision”).

But it does not apply to a dispute which is a relevant cross-border dispute for the purposes of Article 249A.

(2) In this Article—

(a) Day A is the day on which the complainant concerned complies with the requirement in paragraph (1) of Article 20A of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (requirement to contact Agency before instituting proceedings) in relation to the matter in respect of which the proceedings are brought, and

(b) Day B is the day on which the complainant concerned receives or, if earlier, is treated as receiving (by virtue of regulations made under paragraph (11) of that Article) the certificate issued under paragraph (4) of that Article.

(3) In working out when a time limit set by a relevant provision expires the period beginning with the day after Day A and ending with Day B is not to be counted.

(4) If a time limit set by a relevant provision would (if not extended by this paragraph) expire during the period beginning with Day A and ending one month after Day B, the time limit expires instead at the end of that period.

(5) Where an industrial tribunal has power under this Order to extend a time limit set by a relevant provision, the power is exercisable in relation to the time limit as extended by this Article.]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C86 Art. 249B applied by S.I. 1999/2790 (N.I.), art. 13(2A) (as inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 44; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n))

C87 Art. 249B applied by 1998 c. 39, s. 11(4B) (as inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 43; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n))

C88 Art. 249B applied by S.I. 1997/869 (N.I.), art. 65(1A) (as inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 42; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n))

C89 Art. 249B applied by 1995 c. 50, Sch. 3 para. 3(1A) (as inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 11; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n))

C90 Art. 249B applied by S.I. 1976/1042 (N.I.), art. 76(1A) (as inserted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), s. 29(2), Sch. 2 para. 3; S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n))

Modifications of Order N.I.

Powers to amend Order N.I.

250.—(1) The Department may by order—

(a) provide that any provision of this Order which is specified in the order shall not apply to persons, or to employments, of such classes as may be prescribed in the order,

(b) provide that any provision of this Order shall apply to persons or employments of such classes as may be prescribed in the order subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be so prescribed, or

(c) vary, or exclude the operation of, any of the provisions to which this sub-paragraph applies.

(2) Paragraph (1)(c) applies to Articles 61(2), 97(2), 118(5), 124(3), 140(1), F609 . . . , 194, 195(1), 239F610 . . . , Article 241(2) and 242(1), (2), (4) and (5).

Paras. (3), (4) rep. by 1999 NI 9

(5) The provisions of this Article are without prejudice to any other power of the Department to amend, vary or repeal any provision of this Order or to extend or restrict its operation in relation to any person or employment.

F609 Words in art. 250(2) repealed (1.10.2006) by Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), regs. 1(1), 53, Sch. 7 para. 3(15), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50)

F610 1999 NI 9

PART XVI N.I. GENERAL AND SUPPLEMENTARY

General N.I.

Orders and regulations N.I.

251.—(1)  [F611 Subject to [F612 paragraphs (1A), (1B) and (7)] ,] all regulations under this Order shall be subject to negative resolution.

[F611 (1A) Regulations under Article 70C, 103, 104, 105,[F613 107A, 107B,] [F614 107E, 107F(16), 107G, 107I(16), 107J(1) or (2),] 108[F613 [F615 , [F616 112A, 112B, 112BAA, [F617 112EA,] 112G]] ,] or 131 shall—

(a) be laid before the Assembly as soon as may be after they are made;

(b) come into operation on such date as may be specified therein; and

(c) cease to have effect on the expiration of a period of six months from the date on which they came into operation unless, before the expiration of that period, they are approved by a resolution of the Assembly.]

[F618 (1B) Subject to paragraph (1C), regulations under Article 59A or 67FA [F619 , and the first regulations under Article 112EF,] shall not be made unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Assembly.

(1C) Paragraph (1B) does not apply to regulations under Article 67FA that contain only the provision mentioned in Article 67FA(2), (3) or (4).]

(2) An order to which this paragraph applies shall—

(a) be laid before the Assembly as soon as may be after it is made;

(b) come into operation on such date as may be specified therein; and

(c) cease to have effect on the expiration of a period of six months from the date on which it came into operation unless, before the expiration of that period, it is approved by a resolution of the Assembly.

(3) Paragraph (2) applies to—

(a) an order under ArticleF611 . . . 63(7)[F620 , 92A(11)],F611 . . . F611 . . . or 237(3);

(b) an order under Article 250, other than an order under paragraph (1)(b) of that Article which specifies only provisions contained in Part XII [F621 or an order under paragraph (1)(c) of that Article which falls within paragraph (5A)].

(4) Subject to [F622 paragraphs (5) and (5A)] all other orders made by the Department under this Order shall be subject to negative resolution.

(5) Paragraph (4) does not apply to—

(a) an order under Article 67; or

(b) an order under Part II of Schedule 2.

[F623 (c) an order under Article 85ZS(6) or 107AB(4);]

[F624 (5A) An order [F625 to which this paragraph applies] shall not be made unless a draft has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.]

[F626 (5B) Paragraph (5A) applies to—

(a) an order under Article 67K(4), 85ZS(6) or 107AB(4);

(b) an order under Article 250(1)(c) which varies or excludes the operation of Article 124(3) or 140(1).]

(6) Regulations and orders under this Order may contain incidental, supplementary and transitional provisions.

[F627 (7) Regulations to which this paragraph applies shall not be subject to negative resolution but shall be subject to the confirmatory procedure.

(8) Paragraph (7) applies to regulations under this Order which—

(a) but for that paragraph would be subject to negative resolution; and

(b) are contained in a statutory rule which includes regulations subject to the confirmatory procedure.

(9) In this Article “the confirmatory procedure” means the procedure described in paragraph (1A).]

F611 1999 NI 9

F612 Words in art. 251(1) substituted (20.9.2021) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 24(2), 29(2); S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(f)

F613 2002 NI 2

F614 Words in art. 251(1A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 2(3), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(b)

F615 Words in art. 251(1A) substituted (9.9.2010) by Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947 (N.I. 16)), arts. 1(3), 13(1), Sch. 1 para. 42; S.R. 2010/295, art. 2(b)(c)

F616 Words in art. 251(1A) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(19)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(c) (with art. 7(2))

F617 Word in art. 251(1A) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 24(2); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

F618 Art. 251(1B)(1C) inserted (20.9.2021) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 24(3), 29(2); S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(f)

F619 Words in art. 251(1B) inserted (23.3.2022) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 5), ss. 4, 5(5)(6), Sch. Pt. 1 para. 24(3); S.R. 2022/136, arts. 2, 3

F620 2003 NI 15

F621 Words in art. 251(3)(b) added (20.9.2021) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 24(4), 29(2); S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(f)

F622 Words in art. 251(4) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(19)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F623 Art. 251(5)(c) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(19)(c); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F624 Art. 251(5A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 4(19)(d); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(d)

F625 Words in art. 251(5A) substituted (20.9.2021) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 24(5), 29(2); S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(f)

F626 Art. 251(5B) inserted (20.9.2021) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 24(6), 29(2); S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(f)

F627 Art. 251(7)-(9) added (20.9.2021) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 24(7), 29(2); S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(f)

Financial provisions N.I.

252.  There shall be paid out of the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund into the Consolidated Fund sums equal to the amount of—

(a) any expenses incurred by the Department in consequence of Part XII, and

(b) any expenses incurred by the Department (or by persons acting on its behalf in exercising its functions under Part XIV.

Reciprocal arrangements N.I.

Reciprocal arrangements with Great Britain N.I.

253.—(1) The Department shall be the appropriate Northern Ireland authority for the purposes of section 238 of the [1996 c. 18.] Employment Rights Act 1996 ( “the Act of 1996”).

(2) Accordingly, the Department may, with the consent of the Department of Finance and Personnel, make reciprocal arrangements with the Secretary of State for co-ordinating the relevant provisions of this Order with the corresponding provisions of the Act of 1996 so as to ensure that they operate, to such extent as may be provided by the arrangements, as a single system.

(3) In this Article “the relevant provisions of this Order” means the provisions of this Order which correspond to the provisions of the Act of 1996 which are not excepted provisions as defined in section 238(2) of that Act.

(4) The Department may make regulations for giving effect to any arrangements made under this Article.

(5) Such regulations may provide that the relevant provisions of this Order have effect in relation to persons affected by the arrangements subject to such modifications and adaptations as may be specified in the regulations, including provision—

(a) for securing that acts, omissions and events having any effect for the purposes of the Act of 1996 have a corresponding effect for the purposes of this Order (but not so as to confer a right to double payment in respect of the same act, omission or event), and

(b) for determining, in cases where rights accrue both under this Order and under the Act of 1996, which of those rights is available to the person concerned.

Reciprocal arrangements with Isle of Man N.I.

254.—(1) If an Act of Tynwald is passed for purposes similar to the purposes of Part XII, the Department may, with the consent of the Department of Finance and Personnel, make reciprocal arrangements with the appropriate Isle of Man authority for co-ordinating the provisions of that Part with the corresponding provisions of the Act of Tynwald so as to secure that they operate, to such extent as may be provided by the arrangements, as a single system.

(2) For the purposes of giving effect to any arrangements made under paragraph (1) the Department may, in conjunction with the appropriate Isle of Man authority, make any necessary financial adjustments between the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund and any fund established under the Act of Tynwald.

(3) The Department may make regulations for giving effect to any arrangements made under paragraph (1).

(4) Regulations under paragraph (3) may provide that Part XII has effect in relation to persons affected by the arrangements subject to such modifications and adaptations as may be specified in the regulations, including provision—

(a) for securing that acts, omissions and events having any effect for the purposes of the Act of Tynwald have a corresponding effect for the purposes of Part XII (but not so as to confer a right to double payment in respect of the same act, omission or event), and

(b) for determining, in cases where rights accrue both under this Order and under the Act of Tynwald, which of those rights is available to the person concerned.

(5) In this Article “the appropriate Isle of Man authority” means such authority as may be specified in an Act of Tynwald.

Final provisions N.I.

Article 255—Amendments

Transitionals, savings and transitory provisions N.I.

256.  Schedule 2 (transitional provisions, savings and transitory provisions) shall have effect.

Repeals and revocations N.I.

257.  Para. (1)—Repeals

(2) The following statutory provisions are revoked—

(a) the [SR 1983 No. 282.] Insolvency of Employers (Excluded Classes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1983;

(b) the [SR 1995 No. 46.] Employment Protection (Part-time Employees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995;

(c) the [SR 1995 No. 417.] Collective Redundancies and Transfer of Undertakings (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995.