The Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998

Periodic reviews by employers N.I.

55.—(1) In the case of each registered concern, the employer shall from time to time review the composition of those employed in and ceasing to be employed in the concern in Northern Ireland and the employment practices of the concern for the purposes of determining whether members of each community are enjoying, and are likely to continue to enjoy, fair participation in employment in the concern.

(2) In a case where it appears to the employer in the course of the review that members of a particular community are not enjoying, or are not likely to continue to enjoy, such participation, he shall as part of the review determine the affirmative action (if any) which would be reasonable and appropriate.

(3) In a case where the employer determines in the course of the review that affirmative action would be reasonable and appropriate he shall as part of the review—

(a) consider whether, assuming the action is taken, it is practicable to determine, by reference to one or more periods, the progress towards fair participation in employment in the concern that can reasonably be expected to be made by members of a particular community; and

(b) if he considers that it is practicable to determine such progress, determine the period or periods concerned and, in respect of each period, the progress that, in his opinion, can reasonably be expected to be made towards fair participation by members of the community concerned—

(i) in employment in the concern in Northern Ireland or among those whose employment in the concern there begins after the determination; or

(ii) among applicants to fill vacancies for employment in the concern there.

(4) A review under this Article shall be carried out not more than 3 years after the date on which the description of the concern is entered, or treated by virtue of Article 51 as entered, in the register and subsequent reviews at intervals of not more than 3 years.

(5) In carrying out a review under this Article the employer shall have regard to the code of practice maintained under Article 9(1) and the Commission shall, if requested to do so by the employer, give advice as to the manner in which a review under this Article should be carried out.

(6) In this Part—

(a) references to a review are to a review under this Article; and

(b) “employment practice”, in relation to a concern, means a practice affecting recruitment or training for employment in the concern or training, promotion or redundancy of employees in the concern.