The Employment Relations Authority has provided further information on arrangements it has made to deal with applications and investigations during the Covid-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions.

It says its update issued on 24 March remains current. The new information is as follows:

Service of statements of problem

During the restrictions postal and courier delivery to the addresses and registered offices of respondents cannot be relied in the usual way to provide respondents with the opportunity to reply within 14 days. Instead Authority Officers will endeavour to contact respondents by telephone and email to advise them of the application and to arrange delivery of the statement of problem by email. Applicants and representatives are encouraged to ensure their applications include known details of phone numbers and email addresses for respondents. Where service cannot be arranged in this way, service will be deferred for completion once restrictions are lifted.

Affirmation of witness statements for Authority investigations

Where investigations are continuing ‘on the papers’, by telephone or video connection, the Authority may have witnesses affirm any written witness statements by telephone or video connection. In those circumstances, the witness will be asked to take an affirmation, confirm their identity and confirm the contents of the statement.

Affirmation of affidavits for interim applications

During the restrictions people who are providing affidavits in support of applications for interim reinstatement or interim injunctions may not be able to follow the usual steps of having those affidavits sworn or affirmed in front of a solicitor, justice of the peace or court registrar. The Chief of the Authority has issued an instruction to Authority Members under section 166A of the Employment Relations Act allowing them to vary the Authority’s usual procedure by, instead, arranging for the deponents to affirm affidavits and any necessary undertakings by telephone or video connection with a Member. In those circumstances the Member will ask such deponents to take an affirmation to confirm their identity and confirm the contents of the affidavit.

Directions to mediation

Employment Mediation Services is providing mediation by telephone or video connection during the restrictions. Parties are expected to comply with any direction made by the Authority to mediation and to co-operate in taking part in mediation by whatever means the mediator decides is appropriate under section 147 of the Act. Timeframes for personal grievances: Parties and representatives are reminded that the statutory requirements for personal grievances to be raised within 90 days and to pursue a grievance within three years remain unchanged during this period. Any exception to the 90 day rule would require an application under section 114(4) and section 115 of the Act.