The Service

The Department plays an important part in ensuring that Guernsey's enviable record of good industrial relations continues. It does this by providing an advisory, conciliation and arbitration service through the offices of the Senior Industrial Relations Advisory Officer. The Service is provided by trained staff who are impartial and able to assist in resolving disputes at all levels. Currently the Department has two advisory/conciliation officers, Mike Mahy and Toni Airley.

Advisory Service

Advice is available on:-

• Good Employment Practice
• Payment of Wages
• Employment Legislation
• Common and Contract Law
• Statements of Main Terms and Conditions of Employment (Employment Contracts)
• Unfair Dismissal and Sex Discrimination
• Employment Dispute Resolution

Information

Advisory Booklets and Codes of Practice

Advisory Booklets (10 currently) are available covering local employment legislation, including contracts of employment, unfair dismissal, sex discrimination and conciliation. The Department also publishes two Codes of Practice - one on dealing with disciplinary matters, another on redundancy.

Employment Guides

The Department also issues Employment Guides (17 currently), providing basic advice on a variety of employment topics such as Maternity Provisions, Holidays and Bank Holidays, Tackling Absence Problems, Dealing with Grievances, and Sex Discrimination and Equal Opportunities.

To view or download an Advisory Booklet, Code of Practice or Employment Guide, click on a link at the top left of this page.

Conciliation

Conciliation is offered free of charge and is a positive means of resolving disputes without either employers or employees winning or losing. Over 60% of individual and collective cases are successfully settled through conciliation to the mutual satisfaction of both parties, and without the need for expensive and often time consuming third party intervention.

Arbitration

Voluntary arbitration can be arranged when conciliation fails to resolve the differences between two sides. Arbitration relies on the mutual co-operation of all concerned and involves a private hearing chaired by a professional arbitrator from the UK.

Industrial Disputes Law

If either side refuses to refer a dispute to arbitration, the Industrial Disputes Law may be invoked, which provides for dispute resolution through a legally binding Tribunal hearing, which is ordinarily open to the public.

For further information on employment and industrial relations issues please contact the Industrial Relations Advisory Officers.

Contact details are as follows:

Commerce and Employment Department
P.O.Box 459
Raymond Falla House
Longue Rue
St Martins
Guernsey
GY1 6AF

Tel: +44 (0) 1481 234567
Fax: +44 (0) 1481 235015
industrialrelations@commerce.gov.gg