The role of the LRC is the promotion and development
of good industrial relations. The LRC provides a range of advisory
and mediation services to employers, trade unions
and employees.
How does this relate to the community
sector? The LRC delivers its key functions through four specific
services. The Workplace Mediation Service is the service most
applicable to community sector employers.
The key services provided by the LRC are -
- A Workplace Mediation Service
- An Industrial Relations Conciliation Service
- Industrial Relations Advisory and Research Services
- A Rights Commissioner Service
A Workplace Mediation Service
The LRC’s workplace mediation service provides a prompt, confidential
and effective remedy to workplace conflicts, disputes and disagreements.
Workplace mediation is particularly suited to disputes involving
individuals or small groups of workers.
Examples of such disputes
would be –
- Interpersonal differences, conflicts, difficulties in working
together
- Breakdown in a working relationship
- Issues arising from a grievance and disciplinary procedure
(particularly before a matter becomes a disciplinary issue)
- Industrial Relations issues which have not been the subject of a
referral to the Rights Commissioner Service or the Conciliation Service,
the Labour Court or other statutory dispute resolution body
Mediation provides an opportunity for those involved to address the
issues, explore options and reach a workable outcome through a mutually
agreeable course of action.
The process is flexible and can be
adapted depending on individual situations but essentially revolves
around giving every individual concerned an opportunity to give their
side of the story and to work with the other party to find a solution.
Workplace Mediation provides an opportunity to resolve a problem in an
informal non-adversarial way. The resolution of the issue remains in the
control of the individuals directly concerned. They will be involved in
the development of the solution and as a result the outcome is likely
to be better and longer lasting.
For more information on the Workplace Mediation Service please click
here.
The Industrial Relations Conciliation Service
Conciliation is a voluntary mediation process. An external mediator
known as the Industrial Relations Officer (IRO) works with employers and
employees to resolve disputes.
The IRO is an independent, impartial chairperson in discussions and
negotiations between the negotiating teams that represent the employer
and the employees. The process can be described as a facilitated search
for agreement between disputing parties.
The task of the IRO is to assist them in their efforts to reach a
mutually acceptable settlement to their dispute. Over 80% of all cases
referred to conciliation are settled in conciliation.
For more information on the LRC
conciliation service click here.
The Industrial Relations Advisory and Research Services
The Advisory Services Division works with employers, employees and trade
unions in non-dispute situations to develop effective industrial
relations best practices, procedures and structures.
The division is an independent, impartial and experienced in industrial
relations practice and theory. The staff of the division work with
parties and will tailor assistance to individual union/management
requirements. This assistance is confidential to the parties and free of
charge.
For more information on the LRC the
industrial relations advisory and research service please click here.
The Rights Commissioner Service
Rights Commissioners investigate disputes, grievances and claims that
individuals or small groups of workers refer under numerous Acts and Statutory Instruments. The Minister for
Enterprise, Trade and Employment appoints Rights Commissioners on the
recommendation of the LRC. They operate as a service of the LRC and are
independent in their functions.
The Rights Commissioners issue the findings of their investigations in
the form of either decisions or non-binding recommendations, depending
on the legislation under which a case is referred.
For more
information on the Rights Commissioner Service please click here.
