The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 is the core legislative framework governing statutory employment rights in Northern Ireland. It sets out protections relating to contracts, wages, working hours, family-related leave, unfair dismissal, redundancy, itemised pay, statutory minimum notice, and rights of workers in insolvency situations. The Order applies to most employees working in NI unless specifically excluded.
This Order consolidates and modernises employment protections to ensure fair treatment, minimum labour standards, and structured dispute-resolution processes within workplaces. It forms the baseline for employer obligations across recruitment, working conditions, dismissal, and redundancy. Compliance requires robust HR governance, correct application of statutory rights, lawful contracts, and accurate payroll systems.
Benefits of compliance:
