Northern Ireland has its own employment law and advice bodies. Acas does not cover Northern Ireland, so contact the Labour Relations Agency on 03300 555 300 for workplace questions and early conciliation. For a mental health crisis, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 at any hour, or 999 if a life is at risk.
Key facts
- Emergency
- 999 or A&E
- Crisis helpline
- Lifeline, freephone 0808 808 8000, 24 hours a day. Textphone 18001 0808 808 8000.
- Samaritans
- 116 123, free, 24 hours
- Employment information
- Labour Relations Agency Workplace Information Service, 03300 555 300
- Free legal advice
- Law Centre NI advice line, 028 9024 4401, subject to capacity
- Early conciliation
- Notify the Labour Relations Agency before most industrial tribunal claims. Required since 27 January 2020.
- Tribunal time limits
- Generally 3 or 6 months, depending on the type of claim
- Pharmacy regulator
- Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
- Workplace stress
- HSENI, using the six Management Standards
Employment advice in Northern Ireland
Employment law is devolved, so Great Britain rules and bodies do not always apply. Acas covers England, Scotland and Wales only. In Northern Ireland, the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) gives free, impartial and confidential help. The LRA Workplace Information Service answers questions on topics such as grievances on 03300 555 300.
Law Centre NI gives free, independent, specialist legal advice on employment, subject to capacity, on 028 9024 4401. The nidirect website publishes official guidance on employment rights. Guidance written for Great Britain, including Citizens Advice pages for England, can be wrong for a job in Northern Ireland, so check which nation a guide covers.
Early conciliation and tribunal time limits
Claims in Northern Ireland go to the Industrial Tribunal or the Fair Employment Tribunal. Since 27 January 2020, you must notify the LRA before you lodge most claims. Conciliation is voluntary, but you cannot go to tribunal without considering the option. A conciliation officer usually contacts you within five working days.
Conciliation can last up to one month, and the tribunal time limit pauses during this period. The officer can extend the period by 14 days if both sides agree and a settlement looks likely. If no agreement is reached, the LRA issues a certificate, which you need to make your claim. nidirect says claims generally must be presented within three or six months, depending on the type of claim. See tribunal deadlines.
Crisis and urgent help numbers
Call 999 or go to A&E if a life is at risk. Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline for people in distress or despair, on 0808 808 8000, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Deaf people and people with hearing loss can use textphone 18001 0808 808 8000. Samaritans answer on 116 123. Your GP or the GP out-of-hours service can arrange urgent care. See our urgent help page.
Mental health support for health and social care staff
The specialist staff services in the other nations have their own geographic rules. NHS Practitioner Health serves NHS staff in England, Canopi serves NHS and social care staff in Wales (with new therapy referrals paused from 21 September 2026), and the Workforce Specialist Service serves regulated professionals in Scotland. None of the three lists Northern Ireland staff in its eligibility.
Staff in Northern Ireland should start with their employer's occupational health service and staff support arrangements, plus their GP. UK-wide charities and profession bodies listed below also cover Northern Ireland, including Pharmacist Support, BMA wellbeing services and RCN member support.
Regulators for staff working in Northern Ireland
- PSNI: the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland regulates pharmacists, trainees and pharmacies in Northern Ireland. The GPhC covers Great Britain only.
- GMC, NMC, GDC and HCPC: doctors, nurses and midwives, dental professionals and allied health professions across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
- RQIA: the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority inspects health and social care services in Northern Ireland.
- HSENI: workplace health and safety, using the same six Management Standards for stress as HSE. See HSE Management Standards.
Pharmacists reported to the PSNI can get support from the Pharmacists' Defence Association, which covers members in Northern Ireland.
Whistleblowing in Northern Ireland
Whistleblowing law in Northern Ireland sits in the Public Interest Disclosure (Northern Ireland) Order 1998. Freedom to Speak Up Guardians are an England arrangement, so check your health and social care trust's whistleblowing policy. Protect gives free, confidential whistleblowing advice to workers across the UK on 020 3117 2520. See whistleblowing in healthcare.
Common questions
Does Acas cover Northern Ireland?
No. Acas covers England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, contact the Labour Relations Agency on 03300 555 300.
Do I need early conciliation before an industrial tribunal in Northern Ireland?
For most claims, yes. Since 27 January 2020 you must notify the Labour Relations Agency before you lodge a claim with the Industrial Tribunal or Fair Employment Tribunal.
What is the Lifeline number?
Lifeline is on freephone 0808 808 8000, open 24 hours a day. Textphone users dial 18001 0808 808 8000.
Who regulates pharmacists in Northern Ireland?
The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The GPhC regulates pharmacy in Great Britain only.
Can I use NHS Practitioner Health from Northern Ireland?
Practitioner Health lists NHS staff in England and, through the Workforce Specialist Service, regulated staff in Scotland. Northern Ireland staff are not listed, so start with occupational health and your GP.