Essentials of Employment Law in Northern Ireland

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Tuesday, 12 May 2026

09:30 - 13:15 ( 3 hours 45 mins )

Online

2 Half Days - 12th & 13th May 2026

Gain a solid understanding of NI-specific employment law in this interactive 2 x half-day online course. Led by expert trainers, the course covers key topics like contracts, disciplinary procedures, dismissals, and grievances, with practical exercises, extensive notes, and eLearning resources to reinforce learning.

Event details

About the event

8 hours total Duration

12th May 2 Half Days - 12th & 13th May 2026

Online Zoom

£445.00 + VAT Charity and Small Business rate also available

Overview

Navigate Northern Ireland's Employment Laws with Confidence

Get a practical foundation in Northern Ireland employment law with this online course for HR professionals, managers, and business owners.

Delivered over two interactive half-day sessions by employment law specialists, it combines straightforward guidance with hands-on exercises. Participants will be guided through the essentials of NI employment law with comprehensive notes and slides, as well as access to supporting eLearning to consolidate knowledge.

Ideal for those new to HR or stepping into management, the course equips you to handle everyday people issues confidently and ensure your organisation stays compliant.

What will be covered?

Basics of an employment contract (including the implications of implied terms)
Working Time and Leave
Disciplinary procedures and performance management
Fair and unfair dismissals (including Employment Tribunal basics)
Grievances
Protected disclosures (whistleblowing)
Equality & Dignity at Work

Who is this event for?

For all those who need a solid grasp of the key elements of Northern Ireland employment law, including HR managers, supervisors, line managers, business owners, in-house lawyers, and HR or legal advisers. Perfect for those new to employment law or looking for a concise refresher.

This training is not suitable for those with extensive knowledge of NI employment law.

Why should you attend?

The Northern Ireland Employment Law Essentials online course gives attendees a grounding in the key elements of NI employment law. With compliance more important than ever, this course equips you to apply the law confidently in everyday workplace situations.

Additional Learning Support

Your learning doesn’t stop when the live sessions end. Alongside the two half-day sessions, you’ll gain access to a comprehensive digital delegate pack designed to support you in applying what you’ve learned in practice.

Your delegate pack includes:

Detailed notes covering contracts, working time, disciplinaries, grievances, whistleblowing, and equality at work
Real-life scenarios and case studies to help you apply key concepts
Practical templates, including an investigation plan and disciplinary letter
Full session recordings and presentation slides for review at your own pace

Complementary eLearning
To reinforce your knowledge, you’ll also receive exclusive access to a selection of eLearning programmes, allowing you to continue learning in your own time:

Whistleblowing Awareness in the Workplace
GDPR Training
D&I – The Importance of Conscious Inclusion

This combination of live training, practical resources, and on-demand learning is designed to help you build confidence and apply employment law principles effectively in your role.

Meet Your Speakers

Jason Elliott BL

Barrister and Associate Head of the School of Law at Ulster University, called to the NI Bar in 2013. He combines academic insight with real-world experience in employment law, representing both individuals and organisations in tribunals and litigation.

Christine Swail

Director and Co-Founder of People Management Solutions, with 25+ years’ HR experience across Ireland. Awarded CIPD NI HR Consultant of the Year, she specialises in workplace investigations, mediation, employee relations, and HR training, bringing practical insight to real-world challenges.

Programme

A detailed look at the day's agenda

Here's what to expect at Essentials of Employment Law in Northern Ireland:

Time

Session

09:30 am

Day 1

Welcome & Introductions

Get to know the format and the speakers with Sarah Carlin, Events Manager, Legal Island.

Sarah Carlin Events Manager

09:35 am

Contracts of Employment

Sources of contract terms:

Legal requirements
Written contract
Other documents - letters of offer, statement of particulars and policies
Collective agreements
Express and implied terms (including mutual trust & confidence)
Custom and practice

Includes 5 minute Q&A

Christine Swail Director, People Management Solutions

10:15 am

Working Time

Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Working time
Working time limits
Overtime
Rest breaks
Holidays
Working at night
Sunday working
Working time and young workers
Tricky scenarios – breaks between shifts, working through breaks, working outside normal hours, sick while on holiday, untaken leave, public holidays

Includes a 5 minute Q&A

Christine Swail Director, People Management Solutions

10:45 am

Comfort Break

11:00 am

Disciplinary & Performance Management

Disciplinary theory and practice

The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures
Is discipline the right approach? Should you remain in the informal process or move to the formal procedures?
Managing minor misconduct issues and putting informal corrective action measures into place
Disciplinary v performance management – which is the correct approach?
Managing absence and sickness

Christine Swail Director, People Management Solutions

11:30 am

Case Study: Understanding how the LRA Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures apply in practice.

This case study looks at all aspects of the disciplinary process to include.

Carrying out an investigation
Drafting a disciplinary invitation letter
Conducting the disciplinary meeting
Deciding on the outcome and
Dealing with the appeal process

Christine Swail Director, People Management Solutions

12:00 pm

Screen Break

12:20 pm

Workplace Grievances

Grievance theory and practice

LRA Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures
What is a grievance?
Grievance procedure
Dealing with a grievance – informally and formally
Notice of a grievance
Grievance meeting
Grievance appeal
Grievance during a disciplinary process – how do I handle it?
Record keeping

Includes 10 minute Q&A

Christine Swail Director, People Management Solutions

09:30 am

Day 2

Welcome Back & Introduction

A welcome to day 2 with Sarah Carlin, Events Manager, Legal Island.

Sarah Carlin Events Manager

09:35 am

Protected Disclosures (whistleblowing)

When a grievance is not ‘just’ a grievance.

Reasons for whistleblowing protection
Who is protected?
When is a worker protected under the legislation?
Disclosure of information
Qualifying disclosure
Reasonable belief
Method of disclosure
Public interest requirement
No good faith requirement
What are workers protected from?
Claims for whistleblowing
Dealing with whistleblowing in practice

Jason Elliott BL Barrister & Associate Head of School of Law, Ulster University

10:05 am

Scenarios: grievance or whistleblowing?

Jason will take you through various scenarios and determine whether they are grievances or whistleblowing.

Jason Elliott BL Barrister & Associate Head of School of Law, Ulster University

10:30 am

Comfort Break

10:45 am

Equality Law & Dignity at Work

Dignity, Fairness, Respect and Equality

The ‘protected characteristics’
- Age
- Disability
- Gender
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sexual orientation
Types of discrimination
- Direct
- Indirect
- Victimisation
- Harassment (including sectarian)
Liability – individual and employer
Disability Discrimination and duty to make reasonable adjustments
Bullying in the Workplace

Jason Elliott BL Barrister & Associate Head of School of Law, Ulster University

11:15 am

Case Study: Sexual harassment in the workplace – ‘banter’ or harassment?

Jason Elliott BL Barrister & Associate Head of School of Law, Ulster University

11:45 am

Feedback Time

12:00 pm

Fair and Unfair Dismissals

Fair v unfair

Contractual issues & breach of contract claims
Dismissal – potentially fair reasons, unfair, constructive and automatically unfair
Unfair v wrongful dismissal – what’s the difference?
Issuing a claim – length of service, tribunal time limits, early conciliation, and burden of proof

Jason Elliott BL Barrister & Associate Head of School of Law, Ulster University

12:45 pm

Case study: Is this dismissal fair or unfair? Why? What are the potential costs?

Jason Elliott BL Barrister & Associate Head of School of Law, Ulster University

13:00 pm

Feedback Time

13:15 pm

Event close

Testimonials

Feedback that speaks volumes...

Find out what our previous attendees had to say about their experience at Essentials of Employment Law in Northern Ireland.

"I really liked how the detailed notes were accessible in advance. They were very comprehensive and also meant I didn't need to make copious notes during the presentations, just highlight important points. I also liked the inclusion of scenarios by both speakers."

Lorraine Griffin School Business Manager, Lumen Christi College

"Really competent speakers who know their topics really well. Great accompanying slides and notes and able to maintain my interest via zoom. I would highly recommend to other HR Professionals."

Nicola Shaw Senior HR Consultant, Evolve Engagement & Management Solutions

"Really informative and explained very well. I believe the speakers are well versed in their topics, explaining in a manner that could easily be understood."

Louise Fitzmaurice HR Administrator, CPM Ireland

"Content explained very well and any questions answered."

Paula Quinn HR Administrator, The Beeches P & T Services Ltd

Presenters

Explore the presenters on the day