More employees to have information and consultation rights

2 April 2008

From 6 April, employees in firms that employ between 50 and 99 employees will have the right to be informed and consulted about certain issues in their workplace.

Previously this legal right, which is provided by the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations (NI) 2005, applied to companies with at least 100 employees.

Under the Regulations, employees can be informed on recent and probable development of business activities and economic situation; informed and consulted on the situation, structure and probable development of employment within the business; and informed and consulted with a view to reaching agreement on decisions likely to lead to substantial changes in work organisation or in contractual relations.

In reminding employers and employees of the extension to the law, Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey said:  “Effective employee involvement is good, both for individual employees and their employers.  These Regulations provide an opportunity for organisations to ensure their communication strategies maximise the potential of their workforce.  They also enhance the ability of employees to make a greater contribution to the business they work for.

“The Department for Employment and Learning has issued summary guidance to approximately 1,400 employers in Northern Ireland who are affected by the legislation.”

The summary guidance, together with a more detailed guide on the application of the Regulations, is available on the Department’s website at  www.delni.gov.uk/er external link

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations (NI) 2005 implement the European Directive on Informing and Consulting Employees (2002/14/EC).  The Regulations came into effect on 6 April 2005 and applied in the first instance to undertakings employing 150 or more employees, extending to undertakings employing 100 or more employees from 6 April 2007.
  2. Under the Regulations, employers and employees may reach a negotiated information and consultation agreement if at least 15 employees make a formal and compliant written request, or the employer starts negotiations for an I&C agreement.  If an agreement cannot be negotiated, standard I&C terms as outlined in the Regulations apply.  The Regulations also cover pre-existing agreements.
  3. The Industrial Court for Northern Ireland has a compliance and enforcement role where disputes arise in respect of information and consultation agreements that are reached under the Regulations.    
  4. The Labour Relations Agency (Tel. No. 028 9032 1442) can offer advice on the detail of the Regulations.
  5. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on: 028 9025 7872.
  6. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.