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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland >> Fair Employment and Treatment Order (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 No. 520 URL: http://www.bailii.org/nie/legis/num_reg/2003/20030520.html |
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Made | 9th December 2003 | ||
Coming into operation | 10th December 2003 |
Definition of "discrimination" and "unlawful discrimination"
4.
- (1) In Article 3 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (definition of "discrimination" and "unlawful discrimination") -
(2B) The provisions mentioned in paragraph (2A) are -
(2) In paragraph (3) of that Article, after the words "paragraph (2)", insert "or (2A)".
(3) In paragraph (7)(a) of that Article, after the words "he does an act", insert "other than an act of harassment".
Harassment
5.
After Article 3 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order insert -
(2) Conduct shall be regarded as having the effect specified in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (1) only if, having regard to all the circumstances, including, in particular, the perception of B, it should reasonably be considered as having that effect.
(3) For the purposes of this Order a person subjects another to unlawful harassment if he engages in conduct in relation to that other which is unlawful by virtue of any provision mentioned in Article 3(2B).".
Meaning of employment in Northern Ireland
6.
- (1) In Article 6 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (meaning of employment in Northern Ireland and occupation in Northern Ireland), in paragraph (1), for the words from "unless the employee" to the end, substitute -
(2) After paragraph (1) of that Article insert -
(3) For paragraph (3) of that Article substitute -
Functions of the Equality Commission
7.
In Article 7 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (general duty of Commission), in paragraph (c), after the word "discrimination" insert "and unlawful harassment".
8.
In Article 9 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (codes of practice), in paragraphs (1) and (3) after the word "discrimination" in each case, insert "and harassment".
Harassment by employers
9.
- (1) For the heading to Part III of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order there shall be substituted "DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT IN THE EMPLOYMENT FIELD" and for the cross heading immediately thereafter there shall be substituted "Discrimination and harassment in the employment field".
(2) In the heading to Article 19 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (discrimination against applicants and employees), omit the words "Discrimination against".
(3) After paragraph (1) of that Article insert -
(4) After paragraph (2) of that Article insert -
Contract workers
10.
- (1) In the heading to Article 20 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (discrimination against contract workers), omit the words "Discrimination against".
(2) After paragraph (2) of that Article insert -
Office holders etc.
11.
After Article 20 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order insert -
(2) It is unlawful, in relation to an appointment to an office or post to which this Article applies and which is an office or post referred to in paragraph (8)(b), for a relevant person on whose recommendation (or subject to whose approval) appointments to the office or post are made, to discriminate against a person -
(3) It is unlawful for a relevant person, in relation to a person who has been appointed to an office or post to which this Article applies, to discriminate against him -
(4) It is unlawful for a relevant person, in relation to an office or post to which this Article applies, to subject to harassment a person -
(5) Paragraphs (1) and (3) do not apply to any act in relation to an office or post where, if the office or post constituted employment, that act would be lawful by virtue of Article 70 and paragraph (2) does not apply to any act in relation to an office or post where, if the office or post constituted employment, it would be lawful by virtue of Article 70 to refuse to offer the person such employment.
(6) Paragraph (3) does not apply to benefits of any description if the relevant person is concerned with the provision (for payment or not) of benefits of that description to the public, or a section of the public to which the person appointed belongs, unless -
(7) In paragraph (3)(c) the reference to the termination of the appointment includes a reference -
(8) This Article applies to -
but not a political office or a case where Article 19, 20, 21, 26 or 32 applies, or would apply but for the operation of any other provision of this Order.
(9) For the purposes of paragraph (8)(a) the holder of an office or post -
(10) In this Article -
(c) "relevant person", in relation to an office or post, means -
(d) references to making a recommendation include references to making a negative recommendation; and
(e) references to refusal include references to deliberate omission.".
Persons with statutory power to select employees for others
12.
- (1) In the heading to Article 21 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (discrimination by persons with statutory power to select employees for others) omit the words "Discrimination by".
(2) The existing provision shall be numbered as paragraph (1) of that Article and the words "in relation to employment in Northern Ireland," shall be omitted.
(3) After that provision insert -
Employment agencies
13.
- (1) In the heading to Article 22 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (discrimination by employment agencies) omit the words "Discrimination by".
(2) In paragraph (1) of that Article omit the words "in relation to employment in Northern Ireland,".
(3) After paragraph (1) of that Article insert -
(4) In paragraph (2) of that Article for the words "paragraph (1)" substitute "paragraphs (1) and (1A)".
(5) In paragraph (3) of that Article for the words "This Article" substitute "Paragraph (1)".
(6) In paragraph (4) of that Article for the words "this Article" substitute "paragraph (1)".
Vocational organisations
14.
For Article 23 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (discrimination by vocational organisations) there shall be substituted -
(b) who is a member of the organisation -
(2) It is unlawful for a vocational organisation, in relation to a person's membership or application for membership of that organisation, to subject that person to harassment.".
Persons providing training services
15.
- (1) In the heading to Article 24 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (discrimination by persons providing training services) omit the words "Discrimination by".
(2) In paragraph (1) of that Article the words "in Northern Ireland" shall be omitted.
(3) After paragraph (1) of that Article insert -
Assisting persons to obtain employment etc.
16.
After Article 24 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order insert -
Persons with power to confer qualifications
17.
- (1) In the heading to Article 25 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (discrimination by persons with power to confer qualifications) omit the words "Discrimination by".
(2) In paragraph (1) of that Article the words "in Northern Ireland" shall be omitted.
(3) After paragraph (1) of that Article insert -
(4) For paragraph (2) of that Article substitute -
Trustees and managers of occupational pension schemes
18.
- (1) After Article 25 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order insert -
(2) In Article 37(2) of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (restriction on proceedings for breach of the Order), at the end insert "or the investigation or determination of any matter in accordance with Part X (investigations: the Pensions Ombudsman) of the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993[7] by the Pensions Ombudsman".
(3) After Article 39(13) of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order insert -
(4) After Schedule 2 to the Fair Employment and Treatment Order insert -
(2) In paragraph 6, "employer", in relation to an occupational pension scheme, has the meaning given by Article 121(1) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 as at 10th December 2003.
(3) Any term used in Article 25A and in this Schedule shall have the same meaning in that Article as it has in this Schedule.
by resolution make such alterations to the scheme.
5.
Alterations made by a resolution such as is referred to in paragraph 4 may have effect in relation to a period before the alterations are made (but may not have effect in relation to any time before 10th December 2003).
the employer in relation to the scheme shall, for the purposes of the rules governing procedure, be treated as a party and be entitled to appear and be heard in accordance with those rules.
(2) Where this paragraph applies, the Tribunal may, without prejudice to the generality of its power under Article 39(1)(a), make an order declaring that the complainant has a right -
(3) An order under sub-paragraph (2) -
(4) Where this paragraph applies, the Tribunal may not make an order for compensation under Article 39(1)(b), whether in relation to arrears of benefits or otherwise, except -
Partnerships
19.
- (1) In the heading to Article 26 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (discrimination by partnerships) omit the words "Discrimination by".
(2) In paragraph (1) of that Article omit the words "consisting of 6 or more partners".
(3) After that paragraph insert -
Harassment in other fields
20.
- (1) For the heading to Part IV of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order there shall be substituted "DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT IN OTHER FIELDS".
(2) In the heading to Article 27 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (discrimination by bodies in charge of further and higher educational establishments), omit the words "Discrimination by".
(3) After paragraph (1) of that Article insert -
Harassment by, or in relation to, barristers
21.
- (1) In the heading to Article 32 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (discrimination by, or in relation to, barristers), omit the words "Discrimination by, or in relation to,".
(2) After paragraph (2) of that Article insert -
(3) In paragraph (3) of that Article after the words "discriminate against any person" insert "or to subject any person to harassment".
Relationships which have come to an end
22.
In Part V of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order, before Article 34, insert -
is unlawful.
(2) Where a relevant relationship has come to an end it is unlawful for the relevant party -
where the discrimination or harassment arises out of and is closely connected to that relationship.
(3) In paragraph (1) reference to an act of discrimination or harassment which is unlawful includes in the case of a relationship which has come to an end before 10th December 2003, reference to such an act which would, after that date, be unlawful.
(4) For the purposes of any proceedings in respect of an unlawful act under paragraph (2) that act shall be treated as falling within circumstances relevant for the purposes of such of the provisions referred to in paragraph (1) as determine most closely the nature of the relevant relationship.".
Barristers: Jurisdiction of the Tribunal
23.
In Article 38(1) of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (complaint to Tribunal) -
Burden of proof: Tribunal
24.
After Article 38 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order insert -
the Tribunal shall uphold the complaint unless the respondent proves that he did not commit or, as the case may be, is not to be treated as having committed, that act.".
Remedies on complaint under Article 38
25.
In Article 39 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (remedies on complaint under Article 38) -
Claims under Part IV of the Order
26.
In Article 40 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (claims under Part IV) -
Burden of proof - county court
27.
After Article 40 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order insert -
(2) Where on the hearing of the claim, the claimant proves facts from which the court could, apart from this Article, conclude in the absence of an adequate explanation that the respondent -
the court shall uphold the claim unless the respondent proves that he did not commit or, as the case may be, is not to be treated as having committed, that act.".
Period within which respondent must reply
28.
In Article 44 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (help for aggrieved persons in obtaining information etc) -
Exceptions
29.
In Article 70 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (excepted employments) omit paragraph (1)(b) and the word "or" immediately before it.
School teachers
30.
- (1) In Article 71 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (school teachers) for paragraph (1) substitute -
(2) After paragraph (1) of that Article insert -
(3) In paragraphs (2) and (4) of that Article for the word "exception" substitute "exceptions".
(4) In paragraph (6) of that Article for the words "paragraph (1)" substitute "paragraph (1)(a) or (b) or both".
Charities
31.
In Article 77 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (charities) -
Acts done under statutory authority
32.
In Article 78 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (acts done under statutory authority) -
Collective agreements and rules of undertaking
33.
After Article 100 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order insert -
(2) Any term or rule to which this Article applies is void where, as the case may be -
(3) Paragraph (2) applies whether the agreement was entered into, or the rule made, before, on or after 10th December 2003; but in the case of an agreement entered into, or a rule made, before that date, that paragraph does not apply in relation to any period before that date.
(4) In this Article, and in Article 100B, "collective agreement" means any agreement relating to one or more of the matters mentioned in Article 96(1) of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992[9], being an agreement made by or on behalf of one or more employers or one or more organisations of employers or associations of such organisations with one or more organisations of workers or associations of such organisations.
Complaints relating to collective agreements and rules of undertaking
100B.
- (1) A person to whom this paragraph applies may present a complaint to the Tribunal that a term or rule is void by virtue of Article 100A if he has reason to believe -
(2) In the case of a complaint about -
(b) a rule made by an employer referred to in Article 100A(1)(b);
Consequential amendments
34.
The Fair Employment and Treatment Order shall be amended as follows -
(j) in Article 101(1) omit sub-paragraph (b).
P. McAuley
A Senior Officer of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
[2] see the European Communities (Designation) (No. 3) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1819)back
[4] S.I. 1998/3162 (N.I. 21)back
[6] 1950 c. 29 (N.I.) as amended by S.I. 1988/1087 (N.I. 10) Art. 3; see also S.R. 1999 No. 481 Departments (Transfer and Assignment of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1999, Art. 4 and Schedule 2, Part IIback
[8] S.I.1995/3213 (N.I. 22)back
[9] S.I. 1992/807 (N.I. 5)back
© Crown copyright 2003