Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 © Crown Copyright 2002 Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland printed from this website are printed under the superintendence and authority of the Controller of HMSO being the Government Printer for Northern Ireland. The legislation contained on this web site is subject to Crown Copyright protection. It may be reproduced free of charge provided that it is reproduced accurately and that the source and copyright status of the material is made evident to users. It should be noted that the right to reproduce the text of Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland does not extend to the Government Printer for Northern Ireland imprints which should be removed from any copies of the Statutory Rule which are issued or made available to the public. This includes reproduction of the Statutory Rule on the Internet and on intranet sites. The Royal Arms may be reproduced only where they are an integral part of the original document. The text of this Internet version of the Statutory Rule which is published by the Government Printer for Northern Ireland has been prepared to reflect the text as it was Made. A print version is also available and is published by The Stationery Office Limited as the Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002, ISBN 0 33794366 4. The print version may be purchased by clicking here. Braille copies of this Statutory Rule can also be purchased at the same price as the print edition by contacting TSO Customer Services on 0870 600 5522 or e-mail:customer.services@tso.co.uk. Further information about the publication of legislation on this website can be found by referring to the Frequently Asked Questions. To ensure fast access over slow connections, large documents have been segmented into "chunks". Where you see a "continue" button at the bottom of the page of text, this indicates that there is another chunk of text available.
The Department for Employment and Learning[1], in exercise of the powers conferred by section 46 of the Employment Act 2002[2] and of every other power enabling it in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations: Citation, commencement and interpretation 1. - (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 and shall come into operation on 1st October 2002. (2) In these Regulations -
on the completion of a particular task, or
and any reference to "fixed-term" shall be construed accordingly;
(3) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954[5] shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
(ii) engaged in the same or broadly similar work having regard, where relevant, to whether they have a similar level of qualification and skills; and
(b) the comparable employee works or is based at the same establishment as the fixed-term employee or, where there is no comparable employee working or based at that establishment who satisfies the requirements of sub-paragraph (a), works or is based at a different establishment and satisfies those requirements.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), an employee is not a comparable permanent employee if his employment has ceased. Less favourable treatment of fixed-term employees 3. - (1) A fixed-term employee has the right not to be treated by his employer less favourably than the employer treats a comparable permanent employee -
(b) by being subjected to any other detriment by any act, or deliberate failure to act, of his employer.
(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the right conferred by paragraph (1) includes in particular the right of the fixed-term employee in question not to be treated less favourably than the employer treats a comparable permanent employee in relation to -
(b) the opportunity to receive training, or (c) the opportunity to secure permanent employment in the establishment.
(3) The right conferred by paragraph (1) applies only if -
(b) the treatment is not justified on objective grounds.
(4) Paragraph (3)(b) is subject to regulation 4.
(b) that the written statement is evasive or equivocal,
it may draw any inference which it considers it just and equitable to draw, including an inference that the employer has infringed the right in question.
(ii) requested from his employer a written statement under regulation 5 or regulation 9; (iii) given evidence or information in connection with such proceedings brought by any employee; (iv) otherwise done anything under these Regulations in relation to the employer or any other person; (v) alleged that the employer had infringed these Regulations; (vi) refused (or proposed to refuse) to forgo a right conferred on him by these Regulations; (vii) declined to sign a workforce agreement for the purposes of these Regulations, or (viii) being -
(bb) a candidate in an election in which any person elected will, on being elected, become such a representative,
performed (or proposed to perform) any functions or activities as such a representative or candidate, or
(b) that the employer believes or suspects that the employee has done or intends to do any of the things mentioned in sub-paragraph (a).
(4) Where the reason or principal reason for dismissal or, as the case may be, ground for subjection to any act or deliberate failure to act, is that mentioned in paragraph (3)(a)(v), or (b) so far as it relates thereto, neither paragraph (1) nor paragraph (2) applies if the allegation made by the employee is false and not made in good faith.
(b) in the case of an alleged infringement of the right conferred by regulation 3(6), with the date, or if more than one the last date, on which other individuals, whether or not employees of the employer, were informed of the vacancy.
(3) A tribunal may consider any such complaint which is out of time if, in all the circumstances of the case, it considers that it is just and equitable to do so.
(b) a deliberate failure to act contrary to regulation 3 or 6(2) shall be treated as done when it was decided on.
(5) In the absence of evidence establishing the contrary, a person shall be taken for the purposes of paragraph (4)(b) to decide not to act -
(b) if he has done no such inconsistent act, when the period expires within which he might reasonably have been expected to have done the failed act if it was to be done.
(6) Where an employee presents a complaint under this regulation in relation to a right conferred on him by regulation 3 or 6(2) it is for the employer to identify the ground for the less favourable treatment or detriment.
(b) ordering the employer to pay compensation to the complainant; (c) recommending that the employer take, within a specified period, action appearing to the tribunal to be reasonable, in all the circumstances of the case, for the purpose of obviating or reducing the adverse effect on the complainant of any matter to which the complaint relates.
(8) Where a tribunal orders compensation under paragraph (7)(b), the amount of the compensation awarded shall be such as the tribunal considers just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard to -
(b) any loss which is attributable to the infringement.
(9) The loss shall be taken to include -
(b) loss of any benefit which he might reasonably be expected to have had but for the infringement.
(10) Compensation in respect of treating an employee in a manner which infringes the right conferred on him by regulation 3 shall not include compensation for injury to feelings.
(b) make an order under paragraph (7)(b).
Successive fixed-term contracts
(b) the contract mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) has previously been renewed, or the employee was employed by the same employer on a fixed-term contract, or on a series of successive fixed-term contracts, before the start of the contract mentioned in sub-paragraph (a).
(2) Where this regulation applies then, with effect from the date specified in paragraph (3), the provision of the contract mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) that restricts the duration of the contract shall be of no effect, and the employee shall be a permanent employee, if -
(b) the employment of the employee under a fixed-term contract was not justified on objective grounds -
(ii) where that contract has not been renewed, at the time when it was entered into.
(3) The date referred to in paragraph (2) is whichever is the later of -
(b) the date on which the employee acquired four years' continuous employment.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation Chapter III of Part I of the 1996 Order shall apply in determining whether an employee has been continuously employed, and any period of continuous employment falling before the 10th July 2002 shall be disregarded.
(b) the maximum number of successive fixed-term contracts and renewals of such contracts under which the employee or employees of that description may be employed; or (c) objective reasons justifying the renewal of fixed-term contracts, or the engagement of the employee or employees of that description under successive fixed-term contracts,
and those conditions shall have effect in relation to that employee or an employee of that description as if they were contained in paragraphs (2) and (3).
(b) a statement giving reasons why his contract remains fixed-term.
(2) If the reasons stated under paragraph (1)(b) include an assertion that there were objective grounds for the engagement of the employee under a fixed-term contract, or the renewal of such a contract, the statement shall include a statement of those grounds.
(b) that the written statement is evasive or equivocal,
it may draw any inference which it considers it just and equitable to draw.
(b) at the time the application is made the employee is employed by the employer.
Restrictions on contracting out 10. Article 245 of the 1996 Order[8] (restrictions on contracting out) shall apply in relation to these Regulations as if they were contained in that Order. Amendments to primary legislation 11. The amendments in Part I of Schedule 2 to these Regulations shall have effect subject to the transitional provisions in Part II of the Schedule. Liability of employers and principals 12. - (1) Anything done by a person in the course of his employment shall be treated for the purposes of these Regulations as also done by his employer, whether or not it was done with the employer's knowledge or approval. (2) Anything done by a person as agent for the employer with the authority of the employer shall be treated for the purposes of these Regulations as also done by the employer. (3) In proceedings under these Regulations against any person in respect of an act alleged to have been done by an employee of his, it shall be a defence for that person to prove that he took such steps as were reasonably practicable to prevent the employee from -
(b) doing, in the course of his employment, acts of that description.
Crown employment 13. - (1) Subject to regulation 14, these Regulations have effect in relation to Crown employment and persons in Crown employment as they have effect in relation to other employment and other employees. (2) For the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (3) a person is in "Crown employment" only if -
(b) having regard to the terms and conditions under which he works, he would be an employee if he was not in Crown employment.
(3) For the purposes of the application of the provisions of these Regulations in relation to Crown employment and persons in Crown employment in accordance with paragraph (1) -
(b) references to a contract of employment shall be construed, in relation to a person in Crown employment, as references to the terms and conditions mentioned in paragraph (2)(b); and (c) references to dismissal shall be construed as references to the termination of Crown employment.
Armed forces
(b) do apply to employment by an association established for the purposes of Part XI of the Reserve Forces Act 1996[9].
Police service
(b) in relation to a person holding office under section 9(1)(b) of the Police Act 1997[10] (police members of the National Criminal Intelligence Service), the Director General of the National Criminal Intelligence Service; and (c) in relation to any other person holding the office of constable or an appointment as a police cadet, the person who has the direction and control of the body of constables or cadets in question.
Apprentices 16. These Regulations shall not have effect in relation to a fixed-term employee who is employed under a contract of apprenticeship. Government training schemes etc. 17. - (1) These Regulations shall not have effect in relation to a fixed-term employee who is employed on a scheme, designed to provide him with training or work experience for the purpose of assisting him to seek or obtain work, which is either -
(b) funded in whole or part by an Institution of the European Community.
(2) These Regulations shall not have effect in relation to a fixed-term employee whose employment consists in attending a period of work experience not exceeding one year that he is required to attend as part of a higher education course.
(b) in Scotland, a course of a description falling within section 38 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992[12]; and (c) in England and Wales, a course of a description referred to in Schedule 6 to the Education Reform Act 1988[13];
Agency workers
1. An agreement is a workforce agreement for the purposes of these Regulations if the following conditions are satisfied -
(b) it has effect for a specified period not exceeding five years; (c) it applies either -
(ii) to all of the relevant members of the workforce who belong to a particular group;
(d) the agreement is signed -
(ii) if the employer employed 20 or fewer employees on the date referred to in sub-paragraph (d)(i), either by the appropriate representatives in accordance with that sub-paragraph or by the majority of the employees employed by him;
(e) before the agreement was made available for signature, the employer provided all the employees to whom it was intended to apply on the date on which it came into operation with copies of the text of the agreement and such guidance as those employees might reasonably require in order to understand it fully.
2.
For the purposes of this Schedule -
3.
The requirements concerning elections referred to in paragraph 2 are that -
(b) the candidates for election as representatives of the workforce are relevant members of the workforce, and the candidates for election as representatives of a group are members of the group; (c) no employee who is eligible to be a candidate is unreasonably excluded from standing for election; (d) all the relevant members of the workforce are entitled to vote for representatives of the workforce, and all the members of a particular group are entitled to vote for representatives of the group; (e) the employees entitled to vote may vote for as many candidates as there are representatives to be elected; (f) the election is conducted so as to secure that -
(ii) the votes given at the election are fairly and accurately counted.
1. In Schedule 11 to the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992[14] (circumstances in which periods of entitlement to statutory sick pay do not arise) -
(b) omit paragraph 4.
2.
- (1) The 1996 Order is amended in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2) to (16).
(b) provision is accordingly made in the contract for it to terminate by virtue of a limiting event."; and
(b) in the case of a contract made in contemplation of the performance of a specific task, the performance of the task, and (c) in the case of a contract which provides for its termination on the occurrence of an event (or the failure of an event to occur), the occurrence of the event (or the failure of the event to occur).".
(3) In Article 61 (exclusions from the right to guarantee payment) omit paragraph (2).
(b) in paragraph (6), for sub-paragraph (c) substitute -
(7) In Article 127 (circumstances in which an employee is dismissed), in paragraph (1), for sub-paragraph (b) substitute -
(8) In Article 129(1) (effective date of termination), for sub-paragraph (c) substitute -
(9) In Article 137 (redundancy as unfair dismissal) in paragraph (1)(c)[15] (which requires one of a specified group of paragraphs to apply for a person to be treated as unfairly dismissed) for the words "(2) to (7C)" substitute "(3) to (7D)".
(11) In Article 140[16] (exclusion of right not to be unfairly dismissed: qualifying period of employment) in paragraph (3) (cases where no qualifying period of employment is required) omit "or" at the end of sub-paragraph (k) and after sub-paragraph (l) insert -
(12) In Article 141 (exclusion of right: upper age limit) in paragraph (2)[17] (cases where upper age limit does not apply) omit "or" at the end of paragraph (k) and after paragraph (l) insert -
(13) In Article 171 (circumstances in which an employee is dismissed for the purposes of the right to a redundancy payment), in paragraph (1), for sub-paragraph (b) substitute -
(14) In Article 180 (relevant date for the purposes of redundancy), in paragraph (2), for sub-paragraph (c) substitute -
(15) Articles 240[18], 242(6) and 245(2)(d)[19] (fixed-term contracts: agreement to exclude right to redundancy payment) are repealed.
(ii) sub-paragraph (i) (proceedings arising out of the Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002; (iii) sub-paragraph (j) (proceedings under those Regulations);".
3.
In the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996[20], Article 20(1)[21] (cases where conciliation provisions apply) is amended as follows -
(b) after sub-paragraph (h), insert -
(j) under regulation 9 of those Regulations.".
4. Paragraph 1 of this Schedule applies where the relevant date (as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 11 to the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992[22] falls on or after 1st October 2002. 5. - (1) This paragraph applies to the dismissal of an employee employed under a contract for a fixed term of two years or more which consists of the expiry of the term without its being renewed, where the employee has agreed in accordance with Article 240 of the 1996 Order to exclude any right to a redundancy payment in that event. (2) The repeal of Articles 240, 242(6) and 245(2)(d) of the 1996 Order provided for by paragraph 3(15) of this Schedule shall have effect in relation to a dismissal to which this paragraph applies where the relevant date (within the meaning of Article 180 of the 1996 Order) falls on or after 1st October 2002, unless both the following conditions are satisfied -
(b) that the agreement to exclude any right to a redundancy payment was entered into before 1st October 2002.
(This note is not part of the Regulations.) These Regulations come into operation on 1st October 2002. Part of their effect is to implement Council Directive 99/70/EC[23] (normally referred to as the Fixed-term Work Directive) in Northern Ireland. The Regulations give fixed-term employees the right in principle not to be treated less favourably than permanent employees of the same employer doing similar work. The right, which is exercisable by complaint to an industrial tribunal, applies where the less favourable treatment is on the ground that the employee is fixed-term and is not justified on objective grounds. The Regulations make provision about what constitutes objective justification. The Regulations also provide that where a fixed-term employee who has been continuously employed on fixed-term contracts for four years or more is re-engaged on a fixed-term contract without his continuity being broken, the new contract has effect under the law as a permanent contract unless the renewal on a fixed-term basis was objectively justified. The Regulations make a number of amendments to primary legislation to remove discrimination in statutory rights between fixed-term employees (or certain types of fixed-term employees) and permanent employees. Notes: [1] Formerly known as the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment; renamed the Department for Employment and Learning by the Department for Employment and Learning Act (Northern Ireland) 2001 c. 15back [3] S.I. 1996/1919 (N.I. 16)back [4] S.I. 1992/807 (N.I. 5)back [6] Article 124 was amended by the Unfair Dismissal and Statement of Reasons for Dismissal (Variation of Qualifying Period) Order (Northern Ireland) 1999 (S.R. 1999/277), Article 3 and by the Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (N.I. 9), Article 11 and paragraph 6 of Part III of Schedule 4, and is amended by these Regulations, Schedule 2, paragraph 3(5)back [7] Part XI is amended by these Regulations, Schedule 2, to extend the circumstances in which, under Article 127, an employee is treated as dismissed for the purposes of that Partback [8] Article 245 was amended by the Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (N.I. 8) and by the Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, Article 40 and Schedule 9back [12] 1992 c. 37; section 38 was amended by the Education (Scotland) Act 1996 (c. 43), Schedule 5, paragraph 9back [13] S.I. 1997/1772 (N.I. 15)back [14] 1992 c. 7. Amendments have been made to paragraph 2 of Schedule 11 which are not relevant to these Regulationsback [15] Article 137 has been amended on a number of occasions to specify additional circumstances in which an employee dismissed by reason of redundancy is to be regarded as unfairly dismissed; paragraph (7A) was inserted by Article 18 and paragraph 2 to Schedule 5 of S.I. 1999/2790 (N.I. 9); paragraph (7B) was inserted by regulation 30(1) of S.I. 1999/3323; paragraph (7C) was inserted by regulation 10 and paragraph 1(1) of the Schedule to S.R. 2000 No. 219; other amendments have been made to Article 137 not relevant to these Regulationsback [16] Article 140(1) was amended by the Unfair Dismissal and Statement of Reasons for Dismissal (Variation of Qualifying Period) Order (Northern Ireland) 1999 S.R. 1999 No. 277, paragraph 5, reducing the qualifying period from two years to one year. Article 140(3) has been amended on a number of occasions to specify additional cases where the qualifying period does not applyback [17] Article 141(2) has been amended by S.R. 1998 No. 386, regulation 32(4); S.I. 1998/1763 (N.I.17), Article 10(2); 1998 c. 39, Section 26(4); 1999 c. 10, paragraph 4(4) of Schedule 3; S.I. 1999/3323, regulation 30(3); and S.R. 2000 No. 219, paragraph 1(3) to the Schedule to specify additional cases where the upper age limit does not applyback [18] Paragraph (1) of Article 240 of the 1996 Order was repealed by the Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, Articles 20(1) and 40 and Schedule 9back [19] Article 245(2)(d) was amended by the Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, Article 40 and Schedule 9back [21] Article 20(1) has been amended on a number of occasions to specify additional proceedings and claims in respect of which the Labour Relations Agency has a duty to conciliate. Paragraph (g) was inserted by regulation 33(2) of S.I. 1999/3233; paragraph (h) was inserted by regulation 10 and paragraph 2 of the Schedule to S.R. 2000 No. 219back [22] 1992 c. 7. Paragraph 2 of Schedule 11 has been amended by paragraph 42 of Schedule 1 to the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994back [23] O.J. No. L175, 10.7.99 p. 43back
ISBN 0 33794366 4
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