Our Labour Relations Section (“the Section”) oversees the certification and decertification of unions in the workplace, and manages labour disputes in both unionised and non-unionised environments.

We also promote dispute resolution and prevention and management/employee engagement by offering a variety of training and workshop opportunities.

The Section offers a range of free and unbiased services to employers and employees – from consultations on employment situations to managing a complaint or a labour dispute through to settlement or to referral for disposition by a tribunal or arbitration panel.

The Section is responsible for the administration of several pieces of legislation including:

• Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 2021;
• Employment Amendment Act 2021;
• Employment Act 2000;
• Labour Relations Act 1975;
• Labour Disputes Act 1992;
• Trade Union Act 1965; and
• Workers Compensation Act 1965. 

These can be found at www.bermudalaws.bm under the consolidated laws.

Employment and Labour Relations Tribunal

The Employment and Labour Relations Tribunal, is designed to hear and determine (including by way of arbitration) complaints, labour disputes, differences, conflicts and other matters referred to it under the Employment and Labour Code. 

Decisions of the Tribunal can be found on their website.

Did you Know?

• Two critical pieces of legislation, the Employment Amendment Act 2020 and The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 2020, will come into effect on 1 June 2021? For your convenience, an Employee Legislative Amendments and Trade Union and Labour Legislative Amendments fact sheet is available for review.
• If you work wholly or mainly in Bermuda, receive a wage, are over the age of sixteen, work at least fifteen hours every week and you are not a student you may be entitled to the protections and benefits under the Employment Act 2000
• The Employment Act 2000 offers benefits and protection to Bermudian employees and work permit holders
• When you receive your wages, it is the responsibility of your employer to provide you with an itemized pay statement
• Pursuant to the Employment Act 2000, all employees are entitled to a twenty four hours rest day each week, with the exception of police officers, prison officers, fire officers, medical practitioners and nurses employed at the hospital whose working hours are regulated and may be determined in accordance with a shift system
• As an employee, your employer should provide you with a Statement of Employment no later than one week after commencing your employment
• On completion of one year of employment, employees are entitled to eight paid sick days per year
• On completion of one year of employment, employees are entitled to two weeks paid vacation per year, dependent on the number of days per week that you work
• If you are not under the age of sixteen, a temporary worker, a casual worker, a part-time worker, a voluntary worker or in school, then you may be considered an employee under the Employment Act 2000
• On completion of one year of employment, employees are entitled to twelve weeks maternity leave – eight weeks paid and four weeks unpaid
• Pursuant to the Employment Act 2000, if terminated for redundancy, employees are entitled to a maximum payment of 26 weeks - two weeks’ pay for each completed year worked up to ten years and three weeks’ pay thereafter
• In the absence of a provision in your contract, your notice period and notice pay entitlement is based on your pay period – weekly, biweekly, monthly, or otherwise