There has been a “marked rise” in calls about job security and workplace issues in Northern Ireland the first half of this year, according to the Labour Relations Agency (LRA).
It said redundancy‑related enquiries spiked in January and February before stabilising in March and April, but concerns about contract changes and unfair dismissal remain elevated.
NISRA’s latest Labour Market Report shows 2,350 confirmed redundancies in the year to April - a third higher than the previous year.
Three sectors account for almost two‑thirds of all redundancies, notably manufacturing (29%), education (20%) and information and communication (14%).
The LRA says that in April this year it handled 378 grievance enquiries, up more than 46% from the 258 calls its free-to-use Workplace Information Service took in the same month last year.
Alongside redundancy concerns, the service has also seen heightened contact on issues such as variation of contract and unfair dismissal, indicating a broader sense of uncertainty among both employees and employers.
Recent and upcoming employment law changes including the Good Jobs Bill are also prompting employers and employees to seek clarity on rights and responsibilities.
While conciliation, mediation and arbitration remain core services, the LRA emphasises that early advice leads to better outcomes and helps maintain working relationships.
LRA chief executive Mark McAllister said: “Redundancy was a prominent concern at the start of 2026 and, while enquiries on that topic have since stabilised, we have seen a consistent and significant rise in grievance-related contact.
“In our view, these patterns are likely connected, for when organisations go through periods of significant change, such as redundancy, unresolved tensions can emerge in other ways further down the line.
“The Labour Relations Agency has long placed emphasis on early engagement. Addressing concerns before positions become entrenched produces better outcomes for all involved and helps protect longer-term working relationships.
“While our conciliation, mediation and arbitration services remain a core part of what we do, preventing disputes from escalating in the first place is always the preferable outcome.”
Mr McAllister said it was not unusual for periods of legislative change to prompt employers and employees to seek greater clarity on their respective rights and responsibilities, and he insisted the LRA is well placed to provide that advice and guidance in a straightforward and accessible way.
“Our message to both employers and employees is simple: come to us early. We are here to help, at no cost, in confidence and without taking sides. Early guidance more often than not makes a difficult process more manageable for everyone involved.”
