How the Labour Relations Agency can help you

1. How the Labour Relations Agency can help you

2. Contents • Who we are • Who Governs us? • Where can you find us? • Mission Statement • Benefits of Good Employment Relations • Key characteristics • What we do • How can we help you? • Users of our services • How do you find out more? • Contact details

3. Who we are • Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) established in 1976 • Independent of Government funded by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) • Responsible for promoting the improvement of employment relations in Northern Ireland

4. Who governs us? • Board determines policy • Part-time Chairperson and nine members • Employers bodies • Trade unions • Relevant academic or legal backgrounds • Members of the Board are appointed on the basis of their knowledge of, and experience in, employment relations

5. Where can you find us? • Labour Relations Agency 2-16 Gordon Street, Belfast, BT1 2LG 028 9032 1442 www.lra.org.uk • Regional Office 3 Guildhall Street, Londonderry, BT48 6BB 028 7126 9639

6. Mission Statement “The Agency aims to be the leading organisation in Northern Ireland for improving employment relations. We will contribute to organisational effectiveness by providing impartial and independent services for promoting good employment practices and preventing and resolving disputes”

7. Benefits of good Employment Relations • Improved productivity and output • Low staff turnover • Reduced absence • Reduction in number of grievances/disputes • More positive employee PR

8. Key characteristics • Free • Impartial • Confidential • Independent

9. What we do promote good resolve individual employment practice and collective and prevent disputes disputes Advisory Services Dispute Resolution Improve employment relations

10. Advisory Services Promotion of good employment practices and dispute prevention

11. Dispute Resolution

12. How can we help you? FREE... • Workshops to assist your clients to draw up legally required employment documentation • Seminars on key issues such as • Handling Discipline & Grievance • Managing Absence from Work • Social Media and the Employment Relationship

13. How can we help you? Cont’d Information Range of information sources (www.lra.org.uk) - Information Notes - Advisory Guides - Codes of Practice - A-Z of Employment - Sample letters (Discipline and Grievance) - Flowcharts (Discipline and Grievance)

14. How can we help you? cont’d Free • Employment document checking service • Up to date website with Self Help Guides, A-Z of employment rights • Helpline • Dispute resolution assistance • Conciliation • Mediation • Arbitration • Joint Working and Partnerships

15. New Arbitration Scheme – An alternative to a tribunal • The LRA Arbitration Scheme provides an entirely voluntary alternative to an Industrial Tribunal hearing. • Arbitration is an effective method of resolving an employment dispute in which an independent arbitrators’ decision is binding as a matter of law and has the same effect as a court judgement. • An Arbitrator is able to award legally enforceable remedies in the same way as a tribunal. • The Scheme is; - Confidential - Quick - Cost efficient - Free - Non-legalistic - Informal - Flexible For more information visit the LRA website at www.lra.org.uk or phone the Arbitration Secretary on 028 9033 7407 Email: arbitration@lra.org.uk

16. Users of our services • Workers • Workers’ representatives • Employers • Employers’ associations • Trade unions • Any other person, body or organisation who requires assistance with employment relations matters

17. Our Website – www.lra.org.uk

18. How Do You Find Out More? • Talk To Me Today • Visit our website www.lra.org.uk • Read the documentation in your pack

19. Contact Details Patricia McQuillan Labour Relations Agency 2-16 Gordon Street BELFAST BT1 2LG Direct Line: (028) 9033 7430 E-mail: patricia.mcquillan@lra.org.uk Helpline: (028) 9032 1442 Website: www.lra.org.uk

20. FINALLY Thank you for listening!