Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Section 2.

SCHEDULE 2EXTENSION OF LIMITATION PERIODS TO ALLOW FOR CONCILIATION

This schedule has no associated Explanatory Notes

Equal Pay Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 (c. 32)

1. In section 2ZA (“qualifying date” under section 2(4)), in subsections (3) to (6), for “section ZAA” substitute “sections 2ZAA and 2ZAB”.

2. After section 2ZAA insert—

“2ZAB. Extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings

(1) This section applies for the purpose of determining the qualifying date under section 2ZA in relation to proceedings on a complaint under section 2(1) which are relevant proceedings within the meaning of Article 20 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

But it does not apply in relation to a dispute that is (or to so much of a dispute that is) a relevant cross-border dispute within the meaning of section 2ZAA.

(2) In this section—

(a)Day A is the day on which the complainant concerned complies with the requirement in paragraph (1) of Article 20A of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (requirement to contact Agency before instituting proceedings) in relation to the matter in respect of which the proceedings are brought, and

(b)Day B is the day on which the complainant concerned receives or, if earlier, is treated as receiving (by virtue of regulations made under paragraph (11) of that Article) the certificate issued under paragraph (4) of that Article.

(3) In determining the qualifying date under section 2ZA, the period beginning with the day after Day A and ending with Day B is not to be counted.

(4) If the qualifying date would (if not extended by this subsection) fall during the period beginning with Day A and ending one month after Day B, the qualifying date falls instead at the end of that period.”.

Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (NI 15)

3. In Article 76 (period within which proceedings must be brought), after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) Article 249B of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a).

(1B) Paragraphs (1) and (1A) shall be treated as provisions of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 for the purposes of Article 249B of that Order.”.

Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (NI 12)

4. In Article 33 (complaint of infringement of right under Article 31), after paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A) Article 147A (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).”.

5. In Article 36 (complaint of infringement of rights under Article 35), after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) Article 147A (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a).”.

6.—(1) Article 39 (time limit for proceedings under Article 38) is amended as follows.

(2) The existing text becomes paragraph (1).

(3) After that paragraph insert—

“(2) Article 147A (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (1).”.

7. In Article 44C (Article 44B: complaint to industrial tribunal), after paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A) Article 147A (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).”.

8. In Article 61 (complaint in respect of employer’s failure under Article 60), after paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A) Article 147A (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).”.

9. After Article 147 (employment governed by foreign law) insert—

“Extension of certain time limits

147A. Extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings

(1) This Article applies where this Order provides for it to apply for the purposes of a provision of this Order (a “relevant provision”).

(2) In this Article—

(3) In working out when a time limit set by a relevant provision expires the period beginning with the day after Day A and ending with Day B is not to be counted.

(4) If a time limit set by a relevant provision would (if not extended by this paragraph) expire during the period beginning with Day A and ending one month after Day B, the time limit expires instead at the end of that period.

(5) Where an industrial tribunal has power under this Order to extend a time limit set by a relevant provision, the power is exercisable in relation to the time limit as extended by this Article.”.

10. In Schedule 1A (collective bargaining: recognition), in paragraph 157 (complaint to industrial tribunal: contravention of paragraph 156), after sub-paragraph (3) add—

“(4) Article 147A (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(a).”.

Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (c. 50)

11. In Part 1 of Schedule 3 (enforcement and procedure), in paragraph 3, after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

(1B) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (1A) shall be treated as provisions of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 for the purposes of Article 249B of that Order.”.

Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 16)

12. In Article 28 (complaint to industrial in respect of employer’s failure under Article 26 or 27), after paragraph (4) add—

“(5) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a).”.

13. In Article 43 (references to industrial tribunals: contravention of Articles 33, 36 and 40), after paragraph (4) add—

“(5) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (4)(a).”.

14. In Article 55 (complaints to industrial tribunals: contravention of Article 45, 47, 50(1) or 53(1)), after paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A) Article 249B (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of paragraph (2).”.

15. In Article 66 (complaints to industrial tribunals: guarantee payments), after paragraph (2) insert—