Employment
Employment Act 1999 with a Labour Commissioner
The Employment Act 1999 sets minimum conditions including hours, leave, notice and severance, and prohibits unfair dismissal. The Labour Relations Act governs recognition of trade unions and collective bargaining. The Labour Commissioner conciliates disputes, and unresolved matters go to a tribunal or, for trade disputes, to arbitration.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National; Labour Commissioner conciliation then tribunal or arbitration
- Deadline — Unfair dismissal complaint: within three months of dismissal
- Deadline — Severance pay: due on redundancy after the qualifying period of service
- Deadline — National insurance contributions: remitted monthly
Governing law
- Employment Act 1999
- Labour Relations Act 1999
- National Insurance Act
- Employment (Amendment) Acts
In practice
The Employment Act requires a fair reason and a fair procedure for dismissal, so an employer who pays notice but skips a hearing is still exposed, which is the most common error in practice. Severance is calculated by reference to completed years of service and is payable on genuine redundancy independently of any notice entitlement.