Employment Agencies
The Department is responsible for regulating the conduct of employment agencies and businesses in Northern Ireland.
Legislation
All employment agencies and businesses must comply with the:
- Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1981
(as amended); - The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2005.
- Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations (NI) 2005 ;
- Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 .
In the main the Regulations require employment agencies and businesses to make more detailed checks on their clients to ensure that they are suitable for vacancies; tighten controls on client accounts; clarify requirements to keep records and tighten restrictions relating to charges and fees.
The Department recently consulted on proposals to amend the 2005 Conduct Regulations. This consultation closed on 24 September 2007. The consultation document is still available for download.The Department published an analysis to this consultation and the Departmental Response to these on 14 January 2008. The amending Regulations will come into operation on 6th April 2008.
Guidance
The Department has recently produced the following information in relation to Models and Would be Entertainers and Drivers Working via Employment Agencies Employment Businesses:-
- Information for: Would be Models and Entertainers - Top Tips
- Information for: Drivers Working via Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses
- Code of Conduct for Online Job Board Advertising
We have also produced the following guidance in relation to the Regulations:-
- Frequently Asked Questions for Work-Seekers available in English, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Tetum.
- Frequently Asked Questions for Agencies
- A Detailed Guide
- A Detailed Guide to the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008(link)
Enforcement
The Department can enter and inspect the premises and records of all employment agencies and businesses in Northern Ireland to ensure compliance with the Regulations. Inspections are carried out routinely or upon receipt of a complaint. Serious or repeated breaches of the legislation will be prosecuted and, in some cases, we may seek to prohibit an agency from operating
Should you wish to make a complaint please complete our online complaint form.
The Employment Agency Inspectors can also be contacted via e-mail:
Complaints
The Department will investigate all complaints regarding breaches of the legislation.
You can also send written details of your complaint to:
Contact Us
Department for Employment and LearningEmployment Relations Policy and Legislation Branch
Adelaide House
39-49 Adelaide Street
BELFAST
BT2 8FD
For the Employment Agency Helpline telephone: 028 9025 7554 ( Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00pm)
