Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016
2016 CHAPTER 15An Act to make provision relating to conciliation and other matters in connection with industrial tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal, including power to refer to chairmen as employment judges; to amend the law relating to protected disclosures; to make provision for disclosure of gender pay information; to make provision for zero hours contracts; to confer power on the Department for Employment and Learning in connection with careers guidance and apprenticeships; to correct references relating to statutory shared parental pay; to make other provision relating to employment; and for connected purposes.
Enacted[22nd April 2016]
BE IT ENACTED by being passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly and assented to by Her Majesty as follows:
Industrial tribunals¶
I111 Conciliation before and after institution of proceedings¶
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I122 Extension of limitation periods to allow conciliation¶
Schedule 2 (extension of limitation periods to allow for conciliation) shall have effect.I133 Extended power to define “relevant proceedings” for conciliation purposes¶
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I744 Power to require party to proceedings to pay deposit¶
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Fair Employment Tribunal¶
I145 Conciliation before and after complaint to Fair Employment Tribunal¶
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I156 Extension of time limit to allow conciliation¶
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I757 Power to require party to proceedings to pay deposit¶
Assessment of matters relating to tribunal proceedings¶
8 Assessment of matters relating to tribunal proceedings¶
- “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations under this section;
- “relevant parties” means such persons as may be prescribed;
- “tribunal proceedings” means prescribed proceedings before an industrial tribunal or the Fair Employment Tribunal.
Reviews¶
I169 Review of early conciliation¶
10 Review of Section 8: assessment of matters relating to tribunal proceedings¶
Employment judges¶
I1711 Employment judges: industrial tribunals¶
In Article 3 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (industrial tribunals), after paragraph (2) add—.
I1812 Employment judges: Fair Employment Tribunal¶
In Article 82 of the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (President, Vice-President and Chairmen), in paragraph (5), after the words “regulations under Article 81” add “ and regulations under that Article may provide that a person so appointed may be referred to as an employment judge ”.Protected disclosures¶
I113 Disclosures not protected unless believed to be made in the public interest¶
In Article 67B of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (disclosures qualifying for protection), in paragraph (1), after “in the reasonable belief of the worker making the disclosure,” insert “ is made in the public interest and ”.I214 Power to reduce compensation where disclosure not made in good faith¶
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I315 Protected disclosures: reporting requirements¶
After Article 67F of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (disclosure to prescribed person) insert—.
I416 Worker subjected to detriment by co-worker or agent of employer¶
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I517 Extension of meaning of “worker”¶
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Zero hours workers¶
I7618 Zero hours workers¶
After Article 59 of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (meaning of “wages” etc.) insert—.
Gender pay and disclosure of information¶
C119 Gender pay gap information¶
Careers guidance¶
I7720 Careers guidance¶
In section 1 of the Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950 (general functions of Department as to employment and training for employment), after subsection (3) insert—Apprenticeships¶
I7821 Apprenticeships¶
In section 1 of the Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950 (general functions of Department as to employment and training for employment), after subsection (7) (inserted by section 20) add—.
Miscellaneous¶
I822 Indexation of amounts: timing and rounding¶
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I1923 Prohibition on disclosure of information held by the Labour Relations Agency¶
After Article 90A of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 (fees for exercise of functions by the Labour Relations Agency) insert—.
I7924 Variation in procedures for certain orders and regulations¶
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I2025 Statutory shared parental pay: correction of references¶
I2126 References to tribunal jurisdictions to which Articles 17 and 27 of the Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 apply¶
Supplementary¶
I6I9I72I8027 Repeals¶
The statutory provisions set out in Schedule3 are repealed to the extent specified in the second column of that Schedule.28 Interpretation¶
In this Act, except in section 19, “the Department” means the Department for Employment and Learning.29 Commencement¶
30 Short title¶
This Act may be cited as the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016.SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1 ¶
CONCILIATION: MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS
Section 1(2).
Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 16)¶
Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 18)¶
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National Minimum Wage Act 1998 (c. 39)¶
Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13)¶
SCHEDULE 2 ¶
EXTENSION OF LIMITATION PERIODS TO ALLOW FOR CONCILIATION
Section 2.
Equal Pay Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 (c. 32)¶
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Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (NI 15)¶
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Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (NI 12)¶
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Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (c. 50)¶
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Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 16)¶
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Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 6)¶
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National Minimum Wage Act 1998 (c. 39)¶
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Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (NI 9)¶
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I7I10I22I81SCHEDULE 3 ¶
REPEALS
Section 27.
| Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
|---|---|
| Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 16) | In Article 67C(1), the words “in good faith”. |
| In Article 67E(b), the words “in good faith”. | |
| In Article 67F(1)(a), the words “in good faith”. | |
| In Article 67G(1), sub-paragraph (a). | |
| In Article 67H(1), sub-paragraph (a). | |
| In Article 67K(1), the word “or” at the end of sub-paragraph (c). | |
| Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 18) | In Article 11(2)(a), the words “, if he wishes to continue to participate in those proceedings,”. |
| In Article 20, in paragraph (1), sub-paragraphs (e) and (m) and paragraphs (2) to (5). | |
| Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (NI 21) | Article 38(1A). |
| In Article 46(1), the words from “and to any regulations” to “2003”. | |
| In Article 84B(2)(a), the words “, if he wishes to continue to participate in those proceedings,”. | |
| In Article 88, paragraphs (1) and (2). | |
| Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (NI 9) | In Article 33(2), the words “as soon as practicable”. |
| Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (NI 15) | In Schedule 2, the entry relating to regulation 45 of the European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004. |
| In Schedule 4, the entry relating to regulation 45 of the European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004. | |
| In Schedule 5, paragraph 4(1) and (2). | |
| Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 13) | Sections 8 and 9. |
| Sections 12 and 13. |
Footnotes
- I1S. 13 in operation at 1.10.2017 by S.R. 2017/199, art. 2(1)
- I2S. 14 in operation at 1.10.2017 by S.R. 2017/199, art. 2(1)
- I3S. 15 in operation at 1.10.2017 by S.R. 2017/199, art. 2(1)
- I4S. 16 in operation at 1.10.2017 by S.R. 2017/199, art. 2(1)
- I5S. 17 in operation at 1.10.2017 by S.R. 2017/199, art. 2(1)
- I6S. 27 in operation at 1.10.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/199, art. 2(2)
- I7Sch. 3 in operation at 1.10.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/199, art. 2(2)
- I8S. 22 in operation at 30.3.2018 by S.R. 2018/79, art. 2(1)
- I9S. 27 in operation at 30.3.2018 for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/79, art. 2(2)
- I10Sch. 3 in operation at 30.3.2018 for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/79, art. 2(2)
- I11S. 1 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(a)
- I12S. 2 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(b)
- I13S. 3 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(c)
- I14S. 5 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(d)
- I15S. 6 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(e)
- I16S. 9 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(f)
- I17S. 11 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(g)
- I18S. 12 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(h)
- I19S. 23 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(i)
- I20S. 25 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(j)
- I21S. 26 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(k)
- I22Sch. 3 in operation at 27.1.2020 for specified purposes by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(o)
- I23Sch. 1 para. 2 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(m)
- I24Sch. 1 para. 3 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(m)
- I25Sch. 1 para. 4 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(m)
- I26Sch. 1 para. 5 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(m)
- I27Sch. 1 para. 6 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(m)
- I28Sch. 2 para. 1 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I29Sch. 2 para. 2 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I30Sch. 2 para. 3 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I31Sch. 2 para. 4 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I32Sch. 2 para. 5 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I33Sch. 2 para. 6 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I34Sch. 2 para. 7 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I35Sch. 2 para. 8 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I36Sch. 2 para. 9 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I37Sch. 2 para. 10 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I38Sch. 2 para. 11 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I39Sch. 2 para. 12 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I40Sch. 2 para. 13 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I41Sch. 2 para. 14 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I42Sch. 2 para. 15 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I43Sch. 2 para. 16 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I44Sch. 2 para. 17 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I45Sch. 2 para. 18 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I46Sch. 2 para. 19 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I47Sch. 2 para. 20 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I48Sch. 2 para. 21 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I49Sch. 2 para. 22 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I50Sch. 2 para. 23 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I51Sch. 2 para. 24 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I52Sch. 2 para. 25 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I53Sch. 2 para. 26 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I54Sch. 2 para. 27 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I55Sch. 2 para. 28 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I56Sch. 2 para. 29 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I57Sch. 2 para. 30 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I58Sch. 2 para. 31 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I59Sch. 2 para. 32 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I60Sch. 2 para. 33 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I61Sch. 2 para. 34 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I62Sch. 2 para. 35 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I63Sch. 2 para. 36 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I64Sch. 2 para. 37 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I65Sch. 2 para. 38 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I66Sch. 2 para. 39 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I67Sch. 2 para. 40 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I68Sch. 2 para. 41 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I69Sch. 2 para. 42 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I70Sch. 2 para. 43 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I71Sch. 2 para. 44 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(n)
- I72S. 27 in operation at 27.1.2020 for specified purposes by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(l)
- I73Sch. 1 para. 1 in operation at 27.1.2020 by S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(m)
- C1S. 19: Transfer of functions (2.6.2021) by The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/114), arts. 1(2), 3 (with art. 2(2)(a)(b))
- F1S. 19(12) substituted (2.6.2021) by The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/114), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 1 (with art. 2(2)(a)(b))
- I74S. 4 in operation at 20.9.2021 by S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(a)
- I75S. 7 in operation at 20.9.2021 by S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(b)
- I76S. 18 in operation at 20.9.2021 by S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(c)
- I77S. 20 in operation at 20.9.2021 by S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(d)
- I78S. 21 in operation at 20.9.2021 by S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(e)
- I79S. 24 in operation at 20.9.2021 by S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(f)
- I80S. 27 in operation at 20.9.2021 in so far as not already in operation by S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(g)
- I81Sch. 3 in operation at 20.9.2021 in so far as not already in operation by S.R. 2021/253, art. 2(h)