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  • Employment rights

    Free and confidential help with employment rights is available from Labour Relations Agency for employers and employees. The Department provides online guidance on employment rights on nidirect for employees and nibusinessinfo.co.uk for employers.

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    Work-Life Balance

    Our employment law framework offers a broad system of support to working families as they progress through various life stages; the support covers maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, parental bereavement leave, flexible working and many more ways that try to take account of the different challenges families face.

    Employment Agency Inspectorate

    The Employment Agency Inspectorate (EAI) of the Department for the Economy (DfE) is responsible for the regulation of the private recruitment sector which is based in Northern Ireland.It is not able to consider matters relating to employment agencies/businesses which are located in England, Scotland or Wales.

    Advice on employment rights

    Information on organisations who can give advice on employment rights, working conditions, redundancy, insolvency and paid holiday entitlement.

    Related to Employment rights

    Most recent publications

    • Introducing Carer’s Leave in Northern Ireland briefing paper

      Published 13 May 2025
    • Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill Public Consultation Response

      Published 28 April 2025
    See all publications in this topic

    Most recent consultations

    • The 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill

      Published 1 July 2024 Consultation closed
    • Miscarriage Leave and Pay

      Published 24 October 2022 Consultation closed
    See all consultations in this topic

    Most recent news items

    • Archibald publishes report on carer’s leave

      Published 13 May 2025
    • Minister announces most significant upgrade of employment legislation in 25 years

      Published 28 April 2025
    See all news in this topic

    Access to information

    How to request information from the Department for the Economy including Freedom of Information (FOI) and the use of our Publication Scheme.

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