Isle of Man Government Crest

MIRS

Manx Industrial Relations Service
Manx Industrial Relations Service

Welcome to the Manx Industrial Relations Service

The Manx Industrial Relations Service (MIRS) is an independent organisation funded by Government and provides a free and impartial industrial and employment relations service.

We are here to help:

to work together for the prosperity of the Isle of Man business and the benefit of employees and employers.

Our Aim - what we can do

We will always try to help you quickly and efficiently. We will help to identify options which may solve employment problems before they escalate. We can also help to settle employment disputes between employers and employees or between employers and trade union through conciliation, mediation or arbitration. We give impartial, professional advice on good employment practice and we always respect confidentiality - we will not disclose any information without your prior agreement. We also publicise good practice on employment relations through free leaflets and booklets all of which are available on this website or in hard copy by contacting our office.

Conciliation

We have a legal duty to offer conciliation in most cases where a person believes that their employment rights have been infringed. We can do this whether or not an application has been made to the Employment Tribunal.

Conciliation is offered free of charge and is a positive means of resolving disputes without either employers or employees winning or losing. Around 75% of individual and collective cases are successfully settled through conciliation to the satisfaction of both parties. Please refer to our booklet, A Guide to Conciliation for more information.

Mediation

Mediation is a completely voluntary and confidential form of alternative dispute resolution which we can also offer, free of charge. The overriding aim of workplace mediation is to restore and maintain the employment relationship wherever possible. This means that the focus is on working together to go forward, not determining who was right or wrong in the past. In mediation we will help two or more individuals or groups reach a solution that's acceptable to everyone. We can talk to both sides separately or together and we will do not make judgments or determine outcomes. Many kinds of dispute can be mediated if those involved want to find a way forward. It can be used at any stage in a dispute but is most effective if used early on. If you would like more information on mediation please contact us to discuss. Further information about mediation can be found on the ACAS website.

Arbitration

If necessary, MIRS can arrange for an independent arbitrator should the parties to a trade dispute (as defined by the Trade Disputes Act 1985), be unable to resolve their differences through negotiation or conciliation. Arbitration relies on the mutual co-operation of all concerned. Please email us if you have any queries regarding arbitration.

Disclaimer

The information available on this website is designed to provide general guidance only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, it does not constitute legal advice. MIRS will not be held responsible for the contents of any pages referenced by an external link.

If you are in any doubt about an issue or wish to talk a matter through, please contact us by telephone or arrange an appointment to call in.

Feedback

If you have any comments on our website or regarding the service that we provide, we would like to hear from you. You can either email your comments to Julie Bradley

or complete our Questionnaire in confidence to tell us how we are doing. We do welcome both positive and constructive comments.

We usually issue questionnaires to both parties where we have been able to resolve matters, including Employment Tribunal cases. These questionnaires are anonymous and although completion is entirely voluntary, we really do appreciate your feedback.

Downloadable Documents
Microsoft WordMIRS Questionnaire (56 kb)
Format:Microsoft Word

You will need Adobe Acrobat to download documents that are PDFs, this is available free by following this link:Download Adobe Acrobat