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=The Institute of Employment Rights (IER)= The Institute of Employment Rights (IER) is an independent think tank for the labour movement and a registered charity in the UK. It was founded in 1989 by a group of lawyers and trade union leaders in response to a series of laws introduced by then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to reduce the power and influence of trade unions. The IER aimed to draw-up a "framework of progressive labour law to advance working people's interests by challenging the unequal nature of existing workplace relations with employers". It was believed by the initial founders and their supporters - who included Labour Peers like Lord Wedderburn and economists such as Frank Wilkinson - that such policy work was no longer being adequately provided by the labour movement, having been weakened by the Conservative government of the day.

The IER is neither a campaigning body, nor an advice-giving organisation.

Structure
The day-to-day activities of the IER are overseen by an Executive Committee that includes senior officials of a wide range of trade unions and employment law firms. The main direction of the institute is governed by all of its members at an Annual General Meeting.

Office-based staff include the Director of the IER Carolyn Jones, an Events Coordinator, an IT Development and Communications Officer, and an Administrative Officer.

The IER is chaired by John Hendy QC, and its President is Professor Keith Ewing; Geoffrey Shears is Treasurer.

Activities
The IER provides regular resources responding to and debating the latest developments in employment law. A network of academics, lawyers and trade union officials provide briefs and critical analysis, including recommendations for legal change. It focuses mainly on UK employment law, but has also looked to the labour law of other countries, particularly in its Comparative Notes series. The IER also regularly draws on international law standards and evaluates the adherence of The British Government to the international conventions to which it is a signatory.

Initially, the IER published pamphlets aimed at educating the labour movement on employment law and disseminating new ideas, and from this activity the organisation built a strong reputation among trade unions and their members. Since then, the think tank has produced a wider range of resources, including larger and more detailed publications, conferences, briefings, government consultation responses and electronic resources.

Publications
The IER produces at least six publications a year including on topics such as health and safety regulations, equality law, trade union rights, redundancy and grievance resolution, and other workplace legislation. All publications have a distinctly left-wing approach to employment law and are supportive of the trade union movement. Publications are available in both hard and soft copy.

Conferences
Conferences are held throughout the year in both London and Liverpool on all areas of employment law. Speakers are normally academics, trade union officials and lawyers.

Online resources
On the IER's website there is a Coalition timeline, mapping employment law and trade union freedoms policies brought in by the British Government since 2010. The body also provides a consultation calendar, which tracks the progress of related Bills through parliament, a chronology of labour law from 1979 to 2008, and various information on trade union rights.

Briefings and consultation responses
Lawyers working within the IER's network provide briefings on new laws and proposals that affect employment law and trade union rights. These briefings are distributed among trade union officials and IER subscribers, as well as being published on the website. The institute also regularly provides evidence to the government and other bodies in response to public consultations.

Distribution of information
The IER distributes information and analysis of employment law and trade union rights changes and proposals via a blog, news section and social media. This information is distributed to mailing list subscribers via a weekly emailed brief.

Funding and finances
The IER is funded by donors, most of which are UK-based trade unions and employment law firms. The sale of publications, conferences, and advertising space also helps to cover the cost of providing resources, as well as sponsorship deals with labour movement-related organisations. Annual reports are published on its website following every Annual General Meeting.

Related organisations
The IER co-founded The Campaign for Trade Union Freedom and the think tank Class. It was also instrumental in establishing the International Centre for Trade Union Rights as a UK-based organisation.