Latest figures from the Labour Relations Agency show a marked increase in calls regarding concerns about job security, following a rise in redundancy-related calls in the early part of the year.
The Agency, through its Workplace Information Service, observed the increased redundancy calls in January and February 2026, with calls in March and April returning to levels comparable with most months in 2025. The Workplace Information Service has also received a rise in calls on related matters, including variation of contract and unfair dismissal.
The Agency’s findings follow the latest Labour Market Report from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), published last month. The report details that there were 70 confirmed redundancies in Northern Ireland in April 2026, taking the total for the 12-month period ending on April 30th to 2,350, around a third higher than the figure for the previous 12 months (1,790). Three sectors combined for nearly two thirds of those redundancies: manufacturing (29%), education (20%), and information and communication (14%).
In more recent times, the Labour Relations Agency has reported a spike in grievance-related calls. In April 2026, the Workplace Information Service received 378 calls on grievance matters, compared with 258 in April 2025, representing an increase of 46.5%. This increase had been recorded consistently throughout the preceding 12 months.
The Agency’s Workplace Information Service is the recommended first port of call for employees and employers, whether it relates to redundancy, grievance or any other employment matter. The service is free, impartial, independent and confidential. Advisers respond to individual queries, clarify entitlements and obligations, and signpost to the most relevant resources that the Agency has available.
Mark McAllister, Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Agency, said: “As we approach the mid-point of 2026, these insights we are sharing provide a useful picture of the workplace pressures in Northern Ireland so far this year. 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 – 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.
“The rise in enquiries coincides with a number of employment law changes that have come into effect this year and others that are potentially pending. It is not unusual for periods of legislative change to prompt employers and employees to seek greater clarity on their respective rights and responsibilities, and the Agency is well placed to provide that advice and guidance in a straightforward and accessible way.
“Redundancy and grievances are among the most challenging situations a workplace can face. 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.”
For more information and guidance, contact the Workplace Information Service on 03300 555 300 or visit https://www.lra.org.uk/ending-employment/redundancy
