Labour Court recommends appeals and exemptions in Ulster Bank qualification scheme

The Labour Court recommended changes to Ulster Bank Group’s minimum competency scheme for Qualified Financial Advisors, including a longer period to apply for an exemption and appeal rights when an exemption is refused. The recommendation was signed on 20 January 2011. The Irish Bank Officials' Association sought safeguards for staff unable to qualify and an exemption for team leaders. The Court recommended accepting the bank’s proposals with modifications: exemption applications could be made through the scheme’s grace period, compelling personal circumstances should be considered favourably, and refused applications should carry internal and external appeal rights. It did not recommend exempting team leaders, but said the safeguards should apply to them too.